A Styled Engagement Shoot

If your vision of engagement shoot perfection involves Style Me Pretty, Wedding Chicks, or Grey Likes Weddings, then you should tune in.

Just because you didn't hire Jill La Fleur or Found Rentals for your styled engagement photography session, have faith! You can do it yourself. Just keep these things in mind and you're golden:

1) Location. I love Jose Villa's work, and so does the rest of the world. But what if Jose was plucked out of that gorgeous backdrop in the hills in the Santa Inez Valley and thrown into a rail-yard? Probably gritty-gorgeous, *sigh*... focus, Megan. What you'll rarely see in styled shoots is direct sunlight and shadows. It's all about SHADE & SHADOW. Find a place with some shade. Whether you choose gritty, graffiti walls in the LA Arts District, or soft creamy hills of Palos Verdes, just think: SHADE.

Photo by: Jose Villa

2) Props. Silly? Maybe. But props aren't just about props, they're about getting you both to relax and have fun with each other, and They get your mind off that giant black lens staring at your face. But they really do help us get natural expressions, genuine laughs, and awesome photos because you can play around and interact. Think: Chalkboards, empty frames, big initials, suitcases, mustache on a stick, old cameras, balloons, or have a picnic with neat tea cups or something fun like that.

Photo by: Blaine Photography

3) Outfits. Match the groom to what the bride is wearing. Both outfits should work together, but not match. If the bride goes vintage, the groom should too: Fedora, Suspenders, Bow Tie, Whatever. If the bride is dressed down, he's in jeans too. Girls look good in dresses, especially tea-length dresses and fun heels or flats if you're into that. Even in a shot in the middle of a field, a girl in a dress really helps add the "there's something special happening here" vibe. Prints are fine, colors are fine, neutrals are fine, just match they style of your shoot.

Photo by: Brittany Esther Photography

4) Head Gear. No, not that 14-year-old nightmare kind of head gear. Hats, birdcage veils, flowers, head bands, fedoras, sun hats, etc. Hats add to style. But if you're not into putting anything atop your head, then your engagement session is always a great time to have a trial run of your wedding day hair & makeup with your stylist.

Photo by: Studio B Photography, Headgear by: Fine & Fleurie

5) Time of Day. Low-light, sunset, and twilight are the absolute best times of day to shoot. The light is warmer, softer and less harsh on your face, and shadows are easier to come by.

Photo by: Me

One of the biggest parts to making a photo shoot successful is comfort. If you don't feel comfortable in front of the camera, bring props. If you don't feel comfortable wearing a dress, wear pants. You should aim for the styling you'd love to display in your house or just keep forever, but keep in mind that comfort trumps everything.

Just some fun ideas:
• Hundreds of ribbons hanging from a tree
• Actually USE the vintage camera props and take photos of each other during the shoot
• Martinis. For the photographers too... I'm totally serious!

• You don't need a gorgeous victorian era chair in the middle of a field to make your style engagement session pop. But if you do, check out Found Rentals.

• Jelly Beans
• Wildflowers
• Signs like "I do" "Will you marry me?" "Love" "Mr&Mrs"