9 Tips for your Engagement Photoshoot — Jonathan Tung Photography (2024)

Congratulations! If you stumbled across this page, you have something to get really excited about! You’re probably nervous for your upcoming engagement shoot and that’s okay! The engagement shoot is most people’s first time being professionally photographed. And no, those high school yearbook photos do NOT count. It is completely different. When you’re being professionally photographed with your loved one in a possibly public enviornment, it can be scary and nerve-racking. But let me tell you, it is actually really fun and you’ll enjoy it with the right photographer. I can go on about why a photoshoot is even a really good date idea, but let’s get into what you should know for your engagement shoot.

1. Bring your engagement ring - This one is obvious, but I need to state this here and first on the list.

2. Select your outfit - Definitely a close second on the list. Your photographer may personally recommend something based on the style you’re going for. With me, I always advise my clients to firstly wear what you’re comfortable with; don’t go out and buy new clothes for this. How you feel in your clothes will show in your expressions. Beyond that, think about coordinating with your partner, not matching. Safe bets are neutral, solid colors. Nothing too bold. We don’t want the attention on your clothes, we want the attention on you. The outfit only highlights and brings attention to you, not replace it. Beige, cream, off-white, white, and pastels are great choices. For darker colors: black, navy blue, auburn, maroon, olive, etc. and such are all great choices. Think about the season and enviornment as well. Auburn is great for fall photoshoots at a park, pastels are great for summer photoshoots at a beach. At the end of your outfit, do a quick sanity check - color, texture, shape. Is your outfit interesting by 1 of any of those 3 elements?

3. Select your other outfit - So depending on what you have arranged with your photographer, you may have different outfits. I always like to do 1 casual and 1 formal outfit. It doesn’t have to be an entirely different outfit where you change; although that’s an option if you’d like (just make sure to account for the extra time to change outfits). It could be as simple a guys throwing on a nice blazer/jacket. For ladies, it may have to be a different dress entirely. Really just depends.

4. Prepare your outfit(s) - Yes after you select it, prepare them. Make sure they are cleaned, ironed, and lint free. Set them aside so you don’t waste time looking for them when you get ready.

5. Don’t forget accessories - This is your time to look nice! Jewlery such as earings, watches, and necklaces are a really good way to accentuate and elevate an outfit. Depending on the seasons, hats and scarfs are all great additions to add layers and visual interest to an outfit.

6. Plan ahead - Think about what time the photoshoot starts, how long it will take to get there, how long will it take to park, then walk to a specific location. Most locations for photoshoots are not right next to somewhere you can park, and you wouldn’t want it to be either (cars/parking lots are kryptonite to a photographer). How long will it take you to get ready, do your make-up, etc. The last thing you want to do is arrived at your photoshoot late and stressed. It will show in the photos!

7. Prepare Inspiration Photos - this one is optional, but if there are specific poses/styles that you like, show your photographer a few pinterest photos! Ideally, you should align with your photographer’s style, but if there are some things you like, there’s no reason why your photographer can’t capture that for you.

8. Remove phones/wallet/keys from your pockets - Your photographer should remind you but you don’t want any of these creating outlines in your pocketes. You won’t be needed them anyways. This is a time for your to be fully focused on each other, and creating moments that represent your true self.

9. Communicate any insecuries you have - I felt this was worthy of being on the list, but it’s last for a reason. I believe physical imperfections make you uniquely beautiful. That birthmark or those scars. They uniquely represent your true self. However, if there are some insecuries you do have and really don’t want in photos, let your photographer know at the start of the shoot!

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