Say goodbye to awkward posing! Documentary-style engagement photos captures real moments, and for this reason, I prefer photographing subtle emotions to the standard “nice” smiles. Engagement shoots are a favorite because they honor a couple and their individual story, while also capturing the celebration! This blog aims to disclose methods I use with couples to create engagement photos that are genuine, unique, and true to themselves.
Incorporate a Meaningful Activity + Location
There’s a reason they are a sought-after location! Boston’s beauty makes the choice of some locations for engagement photos a little obvious. But, we advise looking past the obvious when picking a location. Take some time to consider what defines your relationship. Is there a place where you both hang out that has become your main third wheel? Is it spontaneity that you love? Maybe you both love espresso martinis from Cafe Vittoria in the North End of Boston? Or is it the cheesy pizza from the pizza shop down the road from your first apartment after a night of bar hopping?
Hopefully you get the idea, maybe you both love the homey Sunday mornings spent making pancakes and drinking coffee.
Whatever your love engagement photo dresses language is, we always encourage couples to incorporate a meaningful activity into their engagement session. It gives a purpose and, more importantly, a chance for some fun, to the photos. Plus, it makes the session less formal and stiff, and adds a little fun, making the nerves lessen. Because of all these reasons, we encourage you to pick a meaningful location that gives you a purpose and the ability to bond over an activity during the session.
Choosing the Right Engagement Photos Outfit
Engagement photos capture a moment that you and your partner will be able to cherish for a long time. Choosing the right outfits can change the mood and that moment even more special. Many people think that the only color used in engagement photos is white. White is a classic color for a bride and is a timeless classic. However, think about using other colors and your engagement photos can be more personalized. Vibrant colors can help change the dynamic of your engagement photos.
what to wear in engagement photos
If you choose the classic white bridal look (which I have no problem with ;)), be creative and choose an outfit that reflects your personality and that you enjoy. White and cream are perfect colors for the fall season. Choose a cream sweater and a long denim skirt, or colorful shoes! Color is not the only thing that can help elevate an outfit for engagement photos! There are plenty of options to help your outfit shine like choosing a purse, picking your jewelry or even how you choose to style your hair!
Using Props for Your Engagement Photos
Throughout all the buzz, props can be a fun engagement photos session addition and can help make your gallery more dynamic!
Awesome Prop Ideas:
City engagement pics with a fun, Wes Anderson spin engagement photo outfits, will have everyone wearing funky sunglasses!
“There is no shortage of photo ops” when you bring along a Polaroid camera!
A wildflower bouquet is a classic feminine touch and gives you something to do with your hands.
Wine with vintage glassware creates a perfect “picnic in the park” vibe.
The options for props to use in your engagement session are limitless. These ideas will help you get creative for fun, casual, and naturally beautiful engagement photos.
Select a Photographer with a Documentary Style
Each photography session is a unique experience, and as such, standard photography does not apply here at all. As a documentary style photographer, I offer a bunch of fun, story-telling prompts, and I will allow you, the clients, to just be natural and free. This is why you should be very open coming into the engagement session, and the reason you should trust the expertise, is because you hired the professionals for a reason curly hair theory. I explain to couples that their engagement session should be viewed as a fun date, and not as a scheduled session with a photographer. This engagement session should show the beauty in the couples personality and vibes, which should be reflected in the photos.
Movement is Essential for Engagement Photos
Movement is one of the key elements that helps create a photograph that is not only unique, but also looks natural. I tell my couples to jump, run, spin, etc. I love to show and capture all the emotions and movements as they represent the couple’s story. It is these movements that help create unique experiences that can never be captured again.
Hire a Photographer that Understands Your Vibe
Basic engagement photos may be a goal of yours, and that is okay! Maybe that’s why you want to hire a photographer that is going to copy your Pinterest board and do the same poses as everyone else. But the truth is, for you to get the photos that you want, you are going to need to hire a photographer that is going to take the time to get to know the vibe that you and your partner have. The more relaxed you are, the more natural and real the energy is going to be in the photos and the truth is, there is not a single person that can replicate that.
If you are in New England and looking for a photographer who does documentary-style photos and can capture your engagement photos in a natural, creative way, then you are in luck! I can’t wait to work with you! Tap here to get in contact.
Boston Film-Inspired + Documentary Style Photographer
Hi! My name is Maddy Harris, and I’m a Boston-based, film-inspired and documentary-style photographer. I love the unconventional! I encourage couples to do what feels authentic to them because every photo session should be unique. I’m inspired by film, color, and fun couples. I aim to tell your story the way you remember it — without the fake smirks and cheesy laughs. Photographs should be art to display on your walls for years to come, and I’m here to create that with you! Get in touch to see how we can work together.
Fun & Playful Engagement Photo Poses
These are the types of poses where the couples forget the camera and the photographer, which is ideal! If you want to avoid looking stiff, and you’re entering this photo session with a serious demeanor, keep reading.
Final Word on Looking Natural in Engagement Photos
Taking your engagement photos should be a fun and stress-free process. This should not be a time dedicated to memorizing specific poses! The goal is to help you feel comfort, love, and presence with the person that you are, at the end of the day, most happy with.
These poses are meant to loosen you up, help you move, and most importantly remember to refrain from worrying about the camera. Everything else will follow. The little, sometimes quiet, in-between moments and glances are the ones you will cherish the most!
Trust your photographer, and actually enjoy the experience instead of stressing over how the photos might turn out. Your engagement photos shouldn’t feel like a performance, but rather, should reflect your true self.
