Let me tell you something I’ve learned after 15 years behind the camera: your engagement photos don’t have to be perfect. They have to be YOURS. I’ve photographed couples on mountaintops, in coffee shops, on their own front porch, in the middle of a sunflower field, and once — memorably — in a Target because that’s where they had their first date. And the images that make people stop scrolling? They’re always the ones where the couple is just completely, fully, unapologetically themselves. So whether you’re planning a styled editorial shoot or a laid-back afternoon on your back porch, the tips I’m sharing today will help you walk away with images you’ll actually love forever.
Your Engagement Photos Are Part of Your Story
I say this to every couple I photograph: your engagement session isn’t just about getting nice pictures for your save-the-dates. It’s also practice. It’s a chance to get comfortable in front of the camera before your wedding day, to figure out how you move together, and to get a feel for what it’s like working with your photographer. Think of it as a warm-up for the main event — but also as its own beautiful chapter of your story that deserves to be documented well.
So let’s talk about how to set yourself up for images you’ll actually be obsessed with.
Ring Selfie 101: Lighting, Angles, and Getting the Shot Right
Before the full engagement session happens, almost every newly engaged person takes a ring selfie. And I have seen some truly unfortunate ones. (I say this with complete love.) The most common mistake? Bad lighting. Specifically, bathroom lighting, overhead fluorescent lighting, or the flash on your phone camera. All of these will make even the most gorgeous diamond look flat and sad.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Natural light is always your best friend. Find a window in your home, get close to it, and position the ring between your hand and the light source. Watch what happens; it’s magic.
- Tilt the ring slightly toward the light — don’t just lay your hand flat. A little angle shows the depth of the stone so much better.
- Think about your background. A messy counter or a busy wall competes with the ring. Clean, simple backgrounds — a soft blanket, a wooden table, a pile of fresh flowers — let the ring be the star.
- Clean your ring first. I cannot tell you how many ring selfies I’ve seen where the stone is visibly cloudy from lotion or everyday wear. A quick clean with warm water and a soft brush makes a huge difference.
- Hold your hand naturally — don’t contort your fingers into an unnatural position trying to make it look perfect. Relax your hand, let it fall naturally, and the ring will do its job.
The goal isn’t a perfect hand. The goal is a photo that captures the joy of this moment — ring, light, and a little bit of you.
Casual vs. Styled Engagement Photos: How to Choose
One of the most common questions I get before an engagement session is some version of: ‘How formal should this be?’ And the honest answer is: it depends entirely on who you are as a couple.
A casual engagement session feels like a real, lived-in Tuesday with your favorite person. Think: a walk through a neighborhood you love, coffee shop mornings, a picnic in the park, golden hour in your own backyard. The photos feel candid, warm, and completely real. If your relationship is built on easy, comfortable intimacy — this is probably your vibe.
A styled engagement session is more intentional. You might have a specific location scouted, a color palette planned, outfits chosen to complement each other and the setting. Think: floral archways, champagne toasts at sunset, an elegant blanket spread in a field. These sessions are gorgeous and they photograph beautifully — but they require a little more planning and a willingness to be directed.
Here’s what I tell every couple: neither option is better. The best engagement photos are the ones where you feel most like yourselves. If showing up to a styled shoot would make you feel stiff and uncomfortable, don’t do it. If you’d feel weird on a casual walk because you ‘just wanted something pretty,’ go styled. The vibe of the photos will always reflect how you felt in the moment. Choose accordingly.
What to Wear to Your Engagement Session
Okay, I could write an entire book on this topic. But I’ll keep it practical. Here’s what I know after photographing hundreds of engagement sessions:
- Wear something that makes you feel incredible — not just something that photographs well. Confidence is the most photogenic thing in the world.
- Coordinate, don’t match. Two people in identical outfits reads as costume, not couple. Find colors and styles that complement each other without being identical.
- Avoid very busy patterns, bold logos, or trendy styles that will date the photos quickly. Timeless always wins.
- Layers are your friend. A jacket, a cardigan, a flowy kimono — they add visual interest and give you something to do with your hands (which is more helpful than you’d think).
- Wear something you can MOVE in. You will be asked to walk, spin, laugh, sit on the ground, lean against things. If your outfit restricts movement, it will show in the photos.
- Do a test run before the session. Put the outfits on together, look in a full-length mirror, and make sure they work together the way you envisioned.
- Shoes matter even when they’re not in every shot. Wearing uncomfortable shoes will make you miserable — and that will show.
And please, for the love of all things — don’t go shopping for a brand new outfit the day before your session. You want to wear something you already feel good in. Familiar always photographs better than brand new.
Why At-Home Engagement Sessions Are Underrated
I want to make a case for the at-home engagement session, because I think it is one of the most underutilized options out there and I genuinely cannot understand why.
Here’s the thing about your home: it is full of YOU. Your things. Your plants. Your books on the shelf. Your dog curled up on the couch. The coffee maker you use every single morning. The quilt your grandmother made. The kitchen where you’ve had a thousand meals together. Every single one of those details tells your story in a way that a rented botanical garden simply cannot.
I photographed a couple last year in their apartment — they lived in this tiny, gorgeous space filled with plants and vintage records and the most incredible natural light — and the images were some of the most stunning I’ve ever taken. Not because the location was fancy. Because it was completely, entirely THEM.
Your home isn’t a backup plan for when you can’t find a ‘good’ location. It might actually be the best location of all.
The practical benefits are also real: no driving around, no worrying about weather in an exposed outdoor location, no competing with other people at a popular spot. Just you, your person, your space, and beautiful light.
Seasonal Engagement Photo Inspiration by Season
SPRING
Spring is soft pinks and fresh greens and that particular golden afternoon light that feels like a promise. Cherry blossoms if you can find them. Wildflowers in an open field. A blooming tree in your own backyard. Spring light is gentle and flattering — it doesn’t have the harsh shadows of summer midday or the dramatic contrast of fall. It’s romantic and fresh, and it photographs beautifully with both casual and styled sessions.
SUMMER
Summer gives you the long golden hour — that magical stretch of warm light just before sunset when everything glows. It also gives you lush green landscapes, beach options if that’s your thing, and the kind of light that makes skin look incredible. The challenge with summer is scheduling: golden hour happens late, it can be hot, and outdoor sessions require a little more planning around sun and shade. But when it comes together? Absolutely stunning.
FALL
I don’t even need to sell fall to most people. The colors. The light. The cozy layers that make fall outfits absolutely dreamy. Fall sessions are some of the most-requested for a reason — the warm tones of the changing leaves against that low, golden autumn light create images that feel like they were made to be framed. If fall is your season, embrace it fully.
WINTER
Winter is the quiet, intimate season — and that energy translates into some of the most genuinely beautiful images I’ve ever taken. There’s a stillness to winter sessions that creates a different kind of magic. Bare trees with delicate branch structures. Soft white light on an overcast day. Cozy layers and warm breath in cold air. If you’re a winter couple — don’t skip this season. It’s stunning in its own way.
Working with Your Photographer for the Best Results
Your photographer is your partner in this, not just a service provider. The more they know about you — your story, your vibe, your comfort level in front of a camera — the better they can serve you during your session. Before your session, tell them:
- How you met and what your relationship feels like
- What locations mean something to you
- Whether you’re comfortable being directed or prefer candid-only
- Any insecurities you have about being photographed (a good photographer will work with this, not against it)
- What feeling you want the images to have when you look at them in 10 years
The best engagement sessions aren’t magic accidents. They’re the result of a photographer who knows their couple well enough to see the genuine moments coming — and is ready when they do.
Next Steps: Booking Your Engagement Session
If you haven’t booked your engagement photographer yet — that’s step one. Reach out to photographers whose style resonates with you, ask about their availability, and schedule a call to make sure the connection is there. Chemistry with your photographer matters more than most people realize.
Once you’re booked, start thinking about location, timing (golden hour is almost always the answer), and what you want to wear. Give yourself at least a few weeks to plan so you’re not scrambling the day before.
And above all — remember that the best thing you can bring to your engagement session is yourselves. Fully, joyfully, exactly as you are. That’s always the image people fall in love with.
Weddings by Holly Lou 
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