Simple, practical advice to help you prepare and feel confident for your engagement shoot.
Here, we’re sharing some handy Engagement Photo Tips that we usually pass along to all our clients, just to make sure we’re on the same page for the shoot. If you haven’t had a professional photo session before, or if you’re feeling unsure about what to expect, no worries – we’ve got you covered. I’m confident we’ll capture some amazing photos! ✨
Choosing Locations
If you’re thinking about shooting in New York or New Jersey, make sure you check out This Post. From years of experience, I know they’re iconic and always look great in photos. That said, you don’t have to stick with popular places—locations that mean something to you are even better. If you can, take a walk around the spot beforehand. Get a feel for it, and if any ideas come to mind, I would love to hear. And don’t worry, the spot doesn’t have to be picture-perfect. To me, there’s no such thing as an “ugly” location. Beauty is everywhere—we’ll find it together.
Sunset or Sunrise
As a natural-light photographer, you’ve probably heard that sunset is the “golden hour,” and it’s true. But sunrise is just as magical. A great thing about a sunrise session is that the location is often less crowded, so it feels more exclusive—like it’s all yours. If you’re considering popular spots like Central Park or Dumbo, which get busy on weekends, I recommend trying a morning session.
Don’t Stress About Weather
“Good weather” is nice, but not required. Weather changes the light and adds story to the photos. Think about holding an umbrella in the rain, the wind in your hair, sunlight on your partner’s face, or hugging in the snow. These little surprises create amazing storytelling. That’s one of the best Engagement Photo Tips I can share—embrace the weather!
Be on Time
Please make sure you arrive on time. The sun works on its own schedule, and it’s a big part of our photography. Think about traffic and parking, especially in the city, so we don’t miss those perfect shots.
Bring a Little Personality
It’s fun to bring props that show your personality or your relationship. It could be a book, sunglasses, a Polaroid, or even your puppy! Bring whatever you like, but try to keep it all in one bag. Comfort is key. Of course, if you don’t bring anything, that’s fine too.
Preview Past Sessions
When you get a chance, look at our Past Engagement Sessions before the shoot. I’ve found that when couples—especially the guys—preview our work, they feel more at ease in front of the camera. You’ll see we don’t push stiff, posed shots. Instead, it’s natural snaps of you walking, talking, and having fun. Sometimes, I even capture moments when you don’t notice the camera. Just keep doing what you’re doing and ignore me. That’s when you’re completely yourself, and that’s what I want to capture. Giving directions at that moment would break the feeling.
That’s everything I could think of for now, but I’d love to hear your ideas too. What excites me most are new experiences and fresh challenges. Together, we’ll create images that are natural, fun, and true to you—exactly what great Engagement Photo Tips are all about.
