Will and I had our engagement photos taken in Encinitas, California – a beachfront city located in San Diego County. Though we were hoping for blue skies and sunshine, it ended up being a rather foggy day. Despite the subpar weather, we absolutely love how the photos turned out. Our photographer, Alexandria Monette, is an absolute genius behind the camera. Thanks to her, our nerves disappeared completely and our true personalities were captured. The constant smiling, cuddling, and champagne popping made for a truly enjoyable evening.
Photographer Tips
Photographers get booked far in advance, so I would recommend making inquiries as soon as possible. But make sure you do your research before you officially book! You want a photographer that not only matches your style, but gets along with your personality. Usually you’ll have a 10-30 minute phone call with your photographer before you book to ensure it’s a good match. Also, most photographers have a website. Study their portfolio to make sure you love their work. If you want a soft, romantic feel to your photos, don’t hire a photographer with bright, heavily saturated photos and expect them to completely alter their editing style. The perfect photographer for you is out there, so don’t settle on someone that doesn’t excite you.
Location Tips
When deciding where you want to have your photos taken, keep in mind what you and your fiancé like to do together. Do you have a weekly ice cream date? Then a cute, retro ice cream parlor would be a great setting. Do you enjoy hiking together? A favorite nature trail could be the perfect spot. Did you have an unforgettable first date? Recreating the scene could be the perfect solution. Ultimately, you want a scene that highlights you both as a couple.
Our Location Picks
We picked two looks/locations for our engagement shoot. For our first look, we picked a trendy, night-on-the-town vibe since we love going out in the city for dinner, drinks, and live music. For our second look, we picked a coastal vibe since we love going to the beach and being out in nature. Of course, we also had to add champagne to celebrate the occasion. If there was a romantic comedy based on our relationship, it would be called “Champagne on the Beach: A Love Story.”
Wardrobe Tips
When choosing outfits, try to pick a style you would normally wear. This will help you feel more comfortable and confident while you pose for the camera. Now is not the time to experiment with a new style. On camera, less is often more when it comes to color, style, and pattern. Solid colors are always a good choice. Keep your location in mind too! Try to complement the setting with your final clothing picks. I recommend staying away from anything that is TOO trendy for engagement sessions, though I must admit I broke my own advice and wore a bold-patterned jumpsuit. Hey, sometimes rules were made to be broken.
Hair + Makeup Tips
Whether you go glam or natural, stick to hair and makeup looks that go with your personality and location. If you are nervous about doing your own hair and makeup, I have a couple of recommendations.
- Hire a professional makeup artist. Many companies will come straight to you! The cost can really range for this service ($100-400). Call different companies to compare cost. If you have a tighter budget, let your makeup artist know as they may adjust their price for you.
OR:
- Schedule your official wedding day beauty trial right before your engagement shoot. Not only will you be able to cross this off your to-do list, but you’ll have a beautiful look for your engagement shoot as well!
Let me know if you have any questions to help make your engagement shoot as perfect as possible. If you and your fiancé have already had photos taken, I’d love to hear your ideas on what worked (and maybe what you would have done differently).
Have a great engagement shoot! Cheers!
