How to prepare for your engagement photo-shoot
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So your man recently popped a question you’ve been waiting for and you said “YES” and now you guys are engaged and excited about your long and happy life together. And it happened that you are also traveling to Paris.. and you think wouldn’t be nice to have a photo-shooting, to capture this big event in your lives?
I mean come on, Paris is a city of Love + and you two are engaged and madly in love = that’s a perfect combo! Plus let’s all agree it is most girl’s dream to take that photo of the ring with the Eiffel Tower on the background.
Anyway, so you put this idea in your head and now you are super excited, but also little bit stressed and nervous about how to prepare for it so your photo-shooting experience doesn’t disappoint your expectations.
And here I am to help you and make everything clear, sharing my guide with year’s of working as a couple photographer insider experience, I use it for my couples and for myself as well – trust me it works!
Finding a photographer
Let’s assume your trip is in 2 or 3 months, that’s enough time to find a photographer for your engagement photo-shooting.
Check websites in goole search, try hashtags #photographerinparis on instagram – go with a professional to avoid a bad experience. Check the portfolio, reviews and communicate with your photographer to see if the vibes are matching.
Or simply drop me a message and let’s plan your session today!
What to wear for your engagement photo-shooting in paris?
Once you found your photographer – it’s time to plan the outfits.
The goal is to match the location and the theme of your photo-shooting.
I think we can all agree Paris is all about elegancy and chic. So if you choose to have a photo-shooting in the city with the local landmarks on the background – an elegant dress for you and a suit for your man would be a perfect choice.
If you decide the location would be in the park and the theme would be “picnic” – then a flowy dress is a great match.
Having a photo session is an amazing excuse to shop!
For us girls this might be the most exciting part about preparing to your trip and photo-shoot in Paris. You are investing hundreds into an engagement session, you should invest in your wardrobe too!
Check my pinterest outfit inspiration for couple engagement photo-shooting to grab some ideas for yourself.
And I would like to add some tips from myself as well:
- Choose neutral colors outfits
- Avoid clothes with prints, labels
- Comfort over anything – don’t get yourself a too tight dress, in which you can’t breath. If you are not comfortable – we see it on the photos
- Get few different outfits and decide later which one or two will be for the session, all bring them all!
- Don’t forget about the accessories
- Wear comfortable shoes to get to the meeting point – then change to high heels
- Compliment each other – if you go with an elegant dress, your man can’t show up in adidas sport wear, make him bring his suit for your trip as well.
When booking a session with me – I will be happy to give you advices and my opinion on what in better to wear, or check my ultimate guide what to wear & what not to wear for a couple photo-shooting.
Let's make it trendy!
Consider bringing the sunglasses, champagne or a Bouquet of flowers.
What not to do before your engagement photo-shooting
Let’s say your trip is coming soon, but all out of the sudden you decide to change your hair style and get a hair cut, I know we girls have this spontaneous decisions of cutting a bang and then regretting for the next 1 year until it gows back.. so DON’T!
No experiments, no hair cuts or new hair coloring.
You don’t want look at the photos years later and instead of seeing a happy young couple – see a mistake your new hairdresser did to your hair.
What to actually do
Now once we covered what not to do, let’s talk about what to actually do.
- Make your nails done – there will be multiple close ups with your hands and rings – make sure your nails look their best.
- Try different hair and make up styles before your trip to decide with which one you will go on the photo-shooting day.
- Order your outfits as early as possible to avoid the delivery surprises and get everything on time.
Best time for couple & engagement photo-shooting in Paris
Okay, so the photographer is found, outfits are ordered, but you still didn’t decide what time to have your photo-shooting.
Every photographer who care about the result of your photos will offer two options: morning or sunset time. Why? Because of the lightning!
Having a shooting in the middle of the day is time convenient, but oh boy that harsh lightning on your face, you would want to avoid it.
So, early morning session: great lightning + empty Paris + flexibility with locations.
Sunset time: Great lightning, but no empty Paris and no flexibility with locations. However there are still many good spots with amazing view you can go for the photo-shooting.
Choosing the Perfect Locations for Your Engagement Photo-Shooting
There are sooo many amazing places in Paris, literally every corner here is photo-worthy.
When choosing the once for your engagement photoshoot – simply ask your photographer.
We definitely know better what time of the day is better to go where and will help you to choose the best onces for you.
Inspiration
Check the galleries of an engagement photo-shooting in Paris to grap inspiration
View the galleriesDay of the photo-shooting & what to bring with you
Alright, you’re all set, you received your outfits, had your nails done, even learnt few french words to impress local waitresses in Paris!
You took your flight and finally you are here, in the city of LOVE and tomorrow you have your photo-shooting.
Here are some tips of what to bring with you:
- Take a bottle of water, especially summer time it can be very hot here.
- Small makeup kit for touch-ups
- Hairbrush, hair ties, and spray if needed
- Extra change of clothes
- Comfortable shoes
- Umbrella in case forecast shows the surprises
- A small towel for hot summer days for sweaty foreheads
Relax & Enjoy the photo-shoot
One of the most important part is to actually have fun. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself or your man, we are not professional models being payed to pose, and look perfect on every photos, we are capturing your memories, capturing the way you two are – young, excited and so in love.
When booking with me I make sure to help you from the beginning till the end, guiding with poses, fixing your dress, and taking your best engagement photos in Paris!
Hope this guide was helpful for you:)