How to prepare for your Engagement Photo Session

New York City is a great place to have an engagement photo session. The city has everything from beautiful streets to cityscapes. It is a place of history, luxury, and modern lifestyle. 

Engagement photos are all about capturing your love in the most attractive and inspiring landmarks. And New York City has them all. The city has various places with different looks and vibes that guarantee what you want in your engagement photos.

As an NYC engagement photographer, here are some basic requirements to have the best engagement photos experience:

• A great outfit.
• THINK DATE NIGHT! Impress each other with style.
• Connection with each other. Have fun!
• Booking the right NYC engagement photographer.
• Finding the right light and coordinating the time of day with me. (Golden hour is my favorite!)

Here’s one important note you should know from us:

We will be there for you at every stage to help you create romantic engagement photos. We have connections with anything you need in the city: a bottle of champagne, floral design, Geronimo balloons, a hair and makeup stylist, and much more. You name it. 

1. DECIDE WHAT TO WEAR FOR YOUR ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS

There are a few things to keep in mind when planning your engagement photo outfits.

First, consider the season. Wear something comfortable for the temperature and season.

• SPRING
• SUMMER
• FALL
• WINTER

The second thing is finding your style. Try to choose an outfit that shows the real ‘you’. Getting photographed is about being natural – being yourselves. Whether you like a lace dress, a suit, or anything that makes you comfortable, it is about showing your personality. 

However, try not to go crazy with your outfits. Consult your photographer, who knows your style best. You can even text pictures of the options you’re considering. 

If not, here are some tips to consider when choosing your outfit. Keep in mind. Engagement photos are not about your clothes, but you as a couple!

• Balanced Colors, not busy or too bright.
• Flowy Dresses.
• Minimal jewelry.
• Try to avoid stripes or checkered shirts

2. HOW TO PERFECT THE KISS

There are different kinds of kisses, each with its own meaning. Choose one that is appropriate for you.

The Breathtaking Kiss

There is one rule to get a perfect kiss: committing to a moment before the kiss. As we said before, it is about building your emotions and feelings toward your partner. Hold it and feel the moment shared.

Different types of kisses

3. ENGAGEMENT PHOTO PROPS

Props can help you to stay comfortable in front of a camera. They can tell a story about your interests.

Here are some photo shoot prop ideas you’ll simply love to include in your engagement pictures.

Examples of good props (or a pet):

• A camera
• Umbrella
• Champagne
• Balloons
• Pet (My personal favorite)

4. CHOOSING THE RIGHT PHOTOGRAPHER FOR YOU

Once you have decided where you’d like to have your engagement session, it’s time to find the right photographer. Make sure the photographer you choose can meet your expectations. You also want a photographer who will make you feel comfortable and at “home.”

Follow our seven steps to find the perfect photographer and be ready to capture a perfect image.

STEP 1. DECIDE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHIC STYLE FOR YOUR PICTURES

We’d love to know what you are looking for in your engagement photos. The more information, the better. Pin some images from Pinterest. Or, show us your favorite pictures from Instagram. We know how to photograph them. Just let us know, and we will prepare everything to get your perfect shots. 

STEP 2. BUILD A CONNECTION WITH YOUR ENGAGEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER

Knowing your photographer matters. Ultimately, your photographer is capturing amazing photos. So take time to get to know your photographer. Read the photographer’s bios, social profiles, and, if available, their replies to you. Add them on Facebook and Instagram too!

STEP 3. GO THROUGH THE ENGAGEMENT PORTFOLIO THOROUGHLY

If you found a photographer with a great personality, then it is time for you to check the photographer’s ENTIRE portfolio. 

Connect with them and ask many questions. Check out their personality; CONNECTION IS KEY!

Go beyond looking at photographers’ websites and Instagram accounts. While getting to know your photographer, kindly ask for different sets of engagement photos or different types of portfolios. 

After you do all these steps, you will know your answer about the photographer. 

STEP 4. WHEN TO SCHEDULE YOUR ENGAGEMENT SHOOT?

If you don’t live in New York and are coming to the city for your engagement photoshoot, we recommend scheduling it at the midpoint of your trip. We have four major reasons for that.

1. Rest well

Being photographed takes more energy than you think. You will walk, and you will stand for a long time. So, rest is a must-have before your session. And sleep is important!

2. Shopping

New York City is famous for its shopping. You might even find another perfect outfit for your shoot (but don’t entirely count on this until the last minute). 

3. Explore NYC

When you stroll around the city, you might find interesting neighborhoods to explore. Go enjoy and live like a true New Yorker. 

Or, you can even scout out the locations where you will be shooting your own engagement session. 

4. Rescheduling

Unfortunately, this happens. If you can’t take photos because of bad weather, a few extra days could give you another chance.

STEP 5. GETTING AROUND NYC ON YOUR DAY OF ENGAGEMENT PHOTOSHOOT 

Public transportation in NYC is well organized. And, it can take you everywhere you need to go. However, we highly recommend our favorite method to help you feel comfortable.

Our favorite way to commute around the city is by car service. Not only does it offer comfort, but commuting by car also gives you space and time to take a break from an intense schedule. 

WHAT CAN I DO WITH MY PHOTOS?

Your NYC engagement photos will last for a lifetime. Share them with your friends and family. Show them off!

Other ideas on how to use your engagement photos:

So, that is it. We hope you enjoyed our article here. And we hope you found reasons to have NYC engagement photos.
Here are some other engagement photos from our favorite places to shoot in New York.

I’ve photographed just as many Engagement Sessions as I have weddings, and I’ve learned what makes an engagement session go smoothly. I love photographing these sessions, as they are a great way for me to learn more about you as a couple before your wedding day. Below are a few tips to help guide you for your engagement session.

1. Get beautified/groomed for your Engagement Session:

Fellas, make sure you’re groomed and in tip-top shape for this shoot day. Don’t wait for a close shave; you can definitely see all the redness and any little nicks, so try to do it the day before if possible.

Wear a little more makeup than usual because, if we’re shooting outside, the natural light can be unpredictable.  It’s always a good idea to bring a little shine control and extra lipstick, just in case! Also, get your nails done just in case we shoot close-ups of your ring!

2. Coordinate Outfits for the Engagement Session:

This tip is often overlooked. When you get your photos back, you want to look at them and say, “Wow, we look so great”. This doesn’t mean the outfits have to be too coordinated. It’ll look awkward. I’m saying to wear a nice date outfit, something you don’t wear every day. You will want to look your best because this is your chance to also have your family frame up all your photos, too!

Guys, if you are wearing a shirt that can/needs to be tucked in, then make sure to wear a belt; otherwise, it won’t look complete! Also, please don’t wear shorts or sandals for your engagement shoot; save those for a casual day together.

3. Plan Your Location for the Engagement Session:

It’s important that we shoot in a location with lots of beautiful natural light or somewhere that holds meaning. Shooting outdoors is always fun, but be mindful of the surroundings. Also, make sure that your outfits are appropriate for the weather. I want to capture you and your partner in the best light, and to do that, you both should feel comfortable in the environment.

4. Relax and Have Fun for the Engagement Session:

It may seem slightly awkward at first, having me shoot you in an intimate setting or out in the open on the busy street.  Trust is inherent here. The more at ease you two are, the more effortless and natural the photos will be. We’ll have a lot of fun, making sure it doesn’t feel too posed or artificial.