Mistakes to Avoid for Your Engagement Shoot

Engagement photos are feeling more and more like a requirement in the current climate of the wedding world. And we love that! Having an engagement shoot – and sharing the pictures afterward – is a great way to enjoy your new relationship status and spend quality time together during the stressful endeavor that is wedding planning. However, because it’s not directly related to the wedding (unless you use the pictures for your save the dates, of course), you may not pay as much attention to detail when organizing your first photo shoot as an affianced couple. This is a mistake, albeit a common one. After all, it’s the first hint many people will see about your big day and you want to make sure it reflects the two of you as a pair, as well as set the tone for the type of celebration you will throw: be it laidback, formal, rustic, romantic, chic, or classic.

Sometimes the best way to know what to do is by finding out what not to do, so we’ve prepared our list of 10 engagement-session don’ts, below. 

- Don’t wear one outfit the whole time – have options to fit the different settings.
- Don’t wear busy prints or apparel with a logo on it. Solid, dark colors tend to look best.
- Don’t have a stoic expression; even non-smiling shots should convey an emotion.
- Don’t do outdoor photos in the middle of the day, especially if it’s sunny, as that’s when lighting is the harshest.
- Don't wear something you wouldn't wear in your normal life. These pictures are meant to represent who you really are.
- Don’t hire the first photographer you meet with (at least, without meeting others). Since an e-session is a great opportunity to practice before the big day, you may want to select a package that offers an engagement session with wedding photography.
- Don’t match outfits. As a pair, you should complement and coordinate each other, as well as wear ensembles at the same level of dressiness; however, you should not match exactly.
- Don’t let feelings of awkwardness take over. You want to look happy, relaxed, and in love.
- Don’t wear something uncomfortable. Your facial expression will express this discomfort.
- Don’t forget to bring shoes for walking. It’s okay to wear heels for the photos, but you will likely be moving around a lot between locations and shots.

Learn how to announce your engagement, see nine outfit ideas for your engagement shoot, and discover how to help your photographer make you look amazing.

Opening photo by Vue Photography