You’re engaged…yay! It’s such an exciting time, so first and foremost you should enjoy it. Don’t rush into the planning and simply enjoy the fun festivities that come with this awesome time of your life. When you’re ready to crack open those wedding magazines and start planning, one of the things that will be on your list is doing an engagement shoot with your photographer. I believe wholeheartedly in doing an engagement shoot before your big day, which is one of the reasons why I’m currently offering complimentary engagement photos. First, it’s a great opportunity for the photographer to get to know you and your fiancé, and for you to get to know your photographer. Secondly, it gives you a “practice” round and allows you to get comfortable in front of the camera. Sure, you may have some nerves, but after the first 15 minutes of us shooting together you’ll be craving more camera time.

As you’re planning your engagement shoot, there are a few things to keep in mind that make these photos as “you” and as timeless as possible. Here are five important things to keep in mind.

A Location That’s Personal (and Pretty!)

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I always ask my couples if there is anywhere that has special meaning for them. Usually the answer is “yes” and we incorporate that place into our engagement session. The couple above would always come to Wingaersheek Beach for family outings, walks with their dog or to enjoy a good beach day. I recently did an engagement shoot at Frog Pond in the Boston Common because of one couple’s passion for hockey. I also held an engagement session at Bentley University where one of my couples met. The location alone made them feel instantly comfortable and we certainly had a ball venturing around campus and recalling the good ol’ days.

Makeup and Hair is a Must

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It’s important for you to feel comfortable in front of the camera, and ladies, we all know the best way to do that is by getting a blow out and putting on some makeup. You may opt to do your makeup and hair trial the day of your engagement shoot. This will give you the opportunity to see how it looks in photos. You can also head to the local DryBar to get your hair done. It’s quick, easy and so affordable.

Perhaps the most important thing is to keep your hair and makeup as natural as possible. You still want to look like yourself in the photos!

Your Colors Should Complement, Not Match

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When it comes to clothing for your engagement shoot, keep it simple. Pick a palette, and make sure those colors are incorporated into your outfits. This will visually bring you together in the photos. Keep in mind that too much of the same color is a bad thing, and will be too overwhelming in photos.

Also, keep the setting in mind when selecting your colors and the overall feel of your photos. If your going to the beach, keep it casual and comfortable while providing a splash of color. If your going to be in the woods, think about incorporating deeper hues, such as plum, burgundy, etc.

Bring the Props (and Pets!)

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And make sure they define your personalities. Some couples want to use their photos as save the dates, so they bring a prop showcasing their date. Others simply want to highlight what they love. Hey, and if it’s bourbon, there’s nothing wrong with that. Nothing at all. My point is, make it about you. If you love sunflowers, pick some up with include in various poses. If you want to do a picnic in the woods, give it a go and tote along a blanket, hamper, vino, cheese…whatever you love.

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And don’t forget about the pets! I love it when couples incorporate their animals. Their pets are a part of their family so it makes sense to have them be along for the ride.

Think about the Season

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In my opinion, this is a personal preference. Some couples want to take their engagement photos during the same season as their future wedding for the sake of consistency, while others want to mix it up so they have two sets of photos with two totally different feels. It’s up to you! That said, each season does bring its joys and difficulties. For example, the summer is of course gorgeous, however sometimes the temps can get hot, calling for the reapplication of makeup, blotting papers, etc. And the winter…I LOVE winter photo shoots, especially snowscapes because there is nothing like the beauty of that white canvas. That said, it’s cold. Terribly cold. So you need to be okay with wearing a coat, scarf and gloves instead of pretty spring dress.

The last, and most important part of your engagement shoot, is to have FUN. It’s a time to celebrate, enjoy time with your fiancé, and really kick off the journey to the aisle. Cheers!

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