I’m guilty of it. I’ve used every kitschy engagement sign known to man and printed save the date banners till I’m blue in the face. I’ve created little chalkboards that say “I said YES!” I’ve pulled out the scrabble letters, the balloons and even markers for the bride and groom to create their own while photographing them doing it. I’ve helped them write on the bottoms of their shoes and even had them spell out LOVE with a wooden l, o, and e and using their feet to form the letter v. With all that being said, each time we have approached our engagement sessions, our brides and grooms have loved each and every little accouterments and the creativity and fun that they contributed to their session. However, as I described in my Part 1 of this series (read it here), what are these trends going to look like in 30 years? When you do have that moment to sit down with your granddaughter—are you going to feel like you’re viewing your 8th grade graduation picture wearing the striped knit shirt and Poindexter glasses with tape in the center? Well, I hope not! Not if your engagement images are tasteful and timeless. So how do you do that? Below are 6 tips to help give you tasteful and timeless engagement images.

Photography Engagements Sessions Part 2 of 2: Brides, Here Are 6 Tips to Keep Your Photographs Timeless

1.Stay true to who you are as a couple. When thinking about a theme, think about whom you truly are and what you like. It’s always good to explore current trends, like The Great Gatsby and Alice in Wonderland. If your mate has what’s considered an “old soul” and you both love to watch Antique Roadshow, then maybe a vintage theme is perfect for you. However, if IKEA is your favorite place to shop, I’d say skip this one. Are you uptown or downtown, a little bit country or a little bit rock and roll? Or… both? Stay true to who you are as a couple—and timeless images are well on their way.

2.Posing or..Not? A new trend has hit the industry where the photographer attempts being a fly on the wall and just makes images of the couple interacting with no formal poses. I’ve also read recent blogs where brides felt disappointed as while they loved the newer style of not having the traditional pose, they felt they missed the opportunity to have images that were more traditional. Be sure to consider which style you want or a nice combo of both and discuss that with your photographer before your session.

3.Incorporate Props to Tell YOUR Story. Now, please understand I’m not saying to never use a kitschy little sign again. I’m saying to use the ones that are meaningful—again being true to who you are. Do you have chalkboard walls in your home? Is it important to reiterate that you said yes? Then by all means incorporate those ideas. But if not..then don’t. Take time to talk it over with your photographer and find something that fits. If you race bicycles together or run 5k’s.. maybe water bottles and tennis shoes are incorporated somehow. Remember, show who you are as a couple. Maybe you’re both ASU alumni… perfect! However; just like in the image that I displayed from 1938 in the previous post—a story was told of who they were as a couple. Their props? The car (which wasn’t old at the time) and the blanket on the ground which gave an unspoken explanation of their moment in history.

4.Photograph you both doing your favorite fun activity together. If that’s playing Scrabble—GREAT. If you’ve never picked up Scrabble or even played together, that’s probably not the activity you should have photographed doing together. Are you rock climbers? Or do you sing karaoke together? Love shopping or decorating? Are you foodies or just love a simple Barnes and Noble book date? Talk to your photographer about being photographed doing your favorite activities together—timeless and serious fun!

5.Consider a lifestyle session. I just love this trend and am so happy that we’ll be doing one of these in the coming weeks. Have your photographer come to your house (houses if you live separately) and make images that are really getting to the core of telling your story. What a gift that will be to look back on the true essence of what you where you were living and what you are doing in the here and now. Cool thought, isn’t it?

6.Suggest photographing at different times of day and/or different terrain. Maybe it’s a nighttime shoot in front of your favorite disco or a sunrise shoot on top of a mountain. Do you live in the desert but want to be photographed making snow angels in Pinetop? That’s all good. Whatever it is, if you have a heart-to-heart conversation with your photographer about what you’d like, they should have the experience and the gear to make that happen for you.

Having timeless engagement images is easy once you know what to consider. Just be true to yourself as a couple while telling your story and that special conversation you’re going to have 30 years from now will be amazing and another moment in time you’ll treasure. Too bad we can’t be there to capture that one! Or.. can we? Now’s the time to click this contact link and let’s have a chat on your special day! We’re ready to hear all about it, dear Brides.

Have a Dreamcicle Day!

Kristi xoxo

About Dreamcicle Studios Photography: We’re a madly in love husband and wife photography team in the Phoenix-Scottsdale area that loves capturing love more than anything! We photograph new beginnings and completed souls; faces of anticipation, happiness, love. It’s wedding photography designed uniquely for you. We’d love to speak to you about photographing your dream wedding day! Contact us by clicking here.