When it comes to dynamic engagement pictures, Alex and Doug nailed it! These two brought it all from adorable laughs to intimate moments. I absolutely loved capturing the love between them while making the most of our time together. This stunning shoot started in Arsenal Park with a special guest and ended with an unreal backdrop on The Strip District, Pittsburgh. If you’re wondering how to bring this variety to your engagement shoot, let Alex and Doug be your muse!

Integrate Different Aesthetics

Choosing styles from opposite ends of the spectrum allows for a wide-range of photos for you to choose from. You may choose to start with a cozy, lifestyle shoot that really captures you two in your natural element. Take pictures at your favorite park (like these cuties!), the coffee shop you frequent, or even your home. I can offer picturesque backdrop options, but my favorite is when the place is special to you. (I even have a whole blog post dedicated to it!) Then, close out your session by getting all dressed up and heading downtown to the Strip District. These photos are innately romantic and add an elevated style to your gallery. Alex’s gorgeous red dress added such vibrancy to their pictures on the rooftop. These two lovebirds also delivered the magic by sharing a dance. (Check out that “foot pop”—swoon!!!)

Showcase Your Personality

The beauty of engagement sessions is that they provide the opportunity to truly let your individuality shine! Not only does the laid-back intimate session typically make you more at-ease, but featuring familiar hobbies or passions helps your pictures really feel like you. Alex and Doug brought their furbaby, Larry, along for the first part of their shoot. This beautiful boy sure has a mind of his own, and he brought laughs and pure sweetness to their photos. If you two love cooking or making cocktails, bring it on! Whatever your thing is, I want to capture it (and trust me, I love the candid photos!). Like any part of your love story, your engagement shoot should be unique to you. 

Things to Consider

When it comes to adding variety to your session, there are some logistics to consider: 

Go with Versatile Outfits, Hair, & Makeup

Wardrobe changes should be simple! Come prepared with outfits picked out that aren’t too complicated to assemble; I am happy to help in this department if it’s not your forte! 

For my ladies—having versatile hair and makeup already done is key! A quick updo or hat to add variation is totally fine (Alex did this beautifully!), but you don’t want to have to fuss with a style too much.

Maximize Time with Convenient Locations

When choosing multiple locations, be sure to consider traffic and commute time. The Strip District and Arsenal Park are less than two miles apart, so we got two very different looks without traveling far. It helps tremendously if your photo locations are close to each other. For example, maybe your home, a pretty park, and a local brewery are all within a couple blocks of each other—we can do so much with that! We want to spend the bulk of your scheduled session time making gorgeous photos, not traveling! Plan with your photographer ahead of time for backdrop or shot list ideas so you can make the most of your time. 

Get in touch with me to prep for your upcoming session so you can have flawless photos and a carefree, fun photoshoot!

2023 is Booking Up Fast! Reserve Your Date

Your engagement is such a special season; make sure your engagement session captures it because it goes by in the blink of an eye! Looking for more how-to’s or inspiration? Browse my blog. Ready to get things started? Get in touch! You can also find more inspiration on Instagram @rachelwehanphotography.