How to Get Unique Engagement Photos

Not long ago, we wrote a blog post all about how to decide whether or not to do an engagement session (also known as a “pre-wedding session”) with your photographer before your wedding day. Then we wrote a follow-up post on what to expect from your engagement session, in which we talked about how to prepare, how to relax and enjoy the shoot, how many photos you can expect to receive and a whole bunch of other good info. Now I’d like revisit this topic, but this time I want to talk specifically about what you can do to ensure you get really amazing and unique engagement photos that will make your jaw drop to the floor.

Let’s dive in…

Unique Engagement Photos | Choose a Cool Concept

This might sound obvious, but in order to get really amazing and unique engagement photos, you need to choose a really amazing and unique idea for the shoot.

And don’t worry, you don’t need to come up with any ideas yourself; we have a treasure trove of different ideas that we’re dying to try! I don’t have time to list them all here, but to give you a general idea of what I’m talking about, all of our engagement session ideas generally fall into one of these three categories:

1) Epic Location – I don’t just mean a cool location, I mean a truly epic, otherworldly, knock-your-socks-off location.

2) Fun Activity – This could be hiking with your dogs, going on a brewery tour, attending a baseball game, or skiing, just to name a few.

3) Avant Garde – This is only for the couples who are up for trying something really unique and different!

Unique Engagement Photos | Trust Your Photographer

One of the main reasons for doing an engagement session in the first place is that it helps to build trust for the wedding day. But it’s equally as important to go into your engagement session trusting that your photographer knows their shit!

The number one indicator that we’re going to get really amazing and unique engagement photos heading into the session is when the couple says something like, “Just do your thing. We love your work and we want you to get creative. We trust you 100%.”

This builds a level of comfort and excitement and tells us that you’re totally on board for whatever new and crazy ideas we have in store for you.

*Note: when it comes to trusting in your photographer, it is extremely important to hire a photographer who is a good fit for you!

Unique Engagement Photos | Keep an Open Mind

Following up on the importance of trusting your photographer, it’s also good to keep an open mind during (and leading up to) your engagement session. Don’t be afraid to try new things, even if they sound like they might be a bit out of your comfort zone.

When you fully trust that your photographer has your best interests at heart, you have nothing left to worry about!

Unique Engagement Photos | Pay no Attention to Trends

This means not worrying about what wedding blogs and websites say you’re supposed to do for your engagement session. Don’t get too sucked into Pinterest or Instagram or Style Me Pretty.

And most of all, don’t ask your photographer to recreate other photos you’ve seen on the internet. Every photographer is unique. Trying to copy someone else’s style is an exercise in futility. It would be like asking the chef at a French restaurant to make Kung Pao Chicken. It just doesn’t make sense.

I’d also recommend not bringing signs or props. Setting, composition, lighting, emotion and real moments are the key ingredients for truly amazing and unique engagement photos, so just bring yourselves and a willingness to get creative!

Unique Engagement Photos | Take a Deep Breath

Or have an adult beverage! Once we start shooting, the nerves will fade away, but there’s nothing like a little liquid courage to get rid of those pre-shoot jitters!