Tips & Tricks for Planning Your Arizona Engagement Photos
So you just got engaged, and you want to capture this next chapter through engagement photos. Congrats! Finding your person and falling in love is a big deal. This is such a special time - one that you and your partner will look back on fondly. Think about engagement photos like a time capsule. A good question to ask yourself while planning your engagement shoot is, “How can we best capture our life in this season?”
I’m here to help you create a session that feels meaningful to you both while having a laid back time. In this post, I’ll outline some tips and considerations when it comes to planning your engagement photo session, and give you some ideas for photo locations around Arizona.
Photo location: Red Rocks of Sedona near Cathedral Rock.
1. Think about the location(s) in which you’d like your shoot to be. Do you want photos in your home with your pet? Or walking in your neighborhood? Think about locations that have meaning to the two of you in your relationship. Maybe it’s somewhere you went on a first date, or somewhere you had your first kiss. On the flip side, your locations don’t need to have any special significance to them. They can just be locations that you really love and feel drawn to. Arizona’s most iconic features are cacti, red rocks, desert, and mountains. These locations can be ideal for engagement sessions!
Photo locations: Downtown Phoenix and Roosevelt Row.
2. Plan your shoot around the good light. In addition to location, make sure to consider what time of day you’ll be having your photo session. If you’re a fan of dreamy lighting, I suggest you embrace the later afternoon and golden hour. Arizona is famous for its gorgeous sunsets, so make sure to schedule your session at a time where you can catch that golden glow.
Photo location: open desert outsize of Phoenix, Arizona.
3. Treat the whole day like a date. This is one piece of advice I love to give couples planning their engagement shoot - treat the whole day like a date day. This way, you can get comfortable, let loose, and have plenty of time to take some great shots. Maybe go to brunch together first, plan a fun activity you both enjoy, and end it with a romantic dinner. It’s the perfect excuse to spend the whole day with your love, doing things you enjoy.
Photo location: Tucson, Arizona.
4. Plan your outfit(s). Like with any date, you want to think about what you’re going to wear: do you want to be casual, or a little bit more dressy? Whatever it is, wear clothes that make you feel like the truest expression of yourself. Date night clothes are a good sweet spot - they’re elevated but still comfortable. Perhaps even consider doing an outfit change that will give your photos more variety. Don’t know to go with pants or a dress? Do both! You won’t regret having a couple of different looks throughout your shoot.
5. Show up with an open mind. For some people, getting their photos taken might sound uncomfortable. But, the biggest favor you can do for yourself is to show up with an open mind. Engagement photos are a great warm-up to wedding photos. Having a photo session before your wedding is a great way to get all the awkward jitters out, and to feel a little bit more comfortable in front of the camera.
These two chose to add film to their session. This was shot on Kodak Gold 120mm. I love the detail film captures in the desert!
Photo location: Gates Pass just outside of Tucson, Arizona
6. Have fun! Most of all, remember to just have fun and don’t take anything too seriously. ;) Engagement photos are a way of celebrating this new season together. Relax and enjoy the moment together. Staying present with one another before, during and after a session is what I consider my secret to getting the most out of your engagement photos.
Looking to work together for engagement photos around Arizona? Send me a message for availability and pricing! I’d love to create something together that is unique to who the two of you are as a couple.