Looking for engagement picture ideas can be a daunting but rewarding task. There are so many things to take into consideration, like where you want your engagement photos to be taken and what you should be wearing. One of those important decisions is choosing the season: would you like spring, summer, fall or winter engagement photos?
As a general rule of thumb, I always recommend scheduling your engagement shoot within 2-3 months of getting engaged. It is a perfect time as the excitement and thrill of a recent engagement is contagious and radiates beautifully in your engagement photos. It is also perfect because you’re not yet carried away with wedding planning. For many people, wedding planning can take up most of their time and engagement photos are on the back burner. It doesn’t have to be that way! By having your engagement shoot sooner rather than later, you’re giving yourself peace of mind and some additional material to work with as engagement photos make for perfect Save the Date cards!
We highly recommend leaving at least 6 months between your engagement shoot and wedding date to make sure we have enough time to produce the final photos and deliver any printed artwork by the wedding date!
Below I outlined my thoughts on engagement photos by season. I hope it gives you some guidance and helps you to choose the perfect date!
Spring Engagement Session
Spring is usually the most popular time to schedule your engagement photos! The weather is getting warmer, the trees are blooming and you can wear your favorite outfit without fearing the cold. Another reason why spring engagement sessions work so well is that your wedding photographer is not swept away by all the summer weddings! Personally, I like scheduling all my engagement shoots for spring before the busy wedding season kicks in, so I can dedicate more time to all my couples!
Pros:
– Warm weather and sunny days!
– Blooming trees and flowers everywhere, so lots of pretty backgrounds.
– You can wear anything you want, from your favorite ripped jeans to a nice, silky gown.
Things to keep in mind:
– As most wedding photographers tend to schedule their engagement shoots for spring, dates are filling up quickly! Make sure you book your engagement session sooner, rather than later.
– Be ready to re-schedule your engagement shoot due to unpredictable weather conditions. Personally, I don’t mind a little spring shower as it makes engagement photos even more romantic.
Summer Engagement Session
Fresh, warm, bright and clean, summer engagement photos are easily one of my favorites! The weather is most likely to cooperate and your engagement photos will be in line with your summer wedding theme. It is, however, a busy wedding season for your wedding photographer. That is why we recommend scheduling your engagement session on a weekday as opposed to a weekend. Our couples often take a day off from work to get ready for their photos, and engagement sessions tend to turn into a fun date night with your future spouse!
Pros:
– Warm, summer weather and very low chances of rain
– It’s the perfect season to take beach and nature engagement photos.
– There is a lot of sunlight, so sunset engagement photos tend to be the most popular.
Things to keep in mind:
– Dates fill up quickly, so make sure to schedule your summer engagement session well in advance.
– Be prepared for a weeknight engagement session as your wedding photographer will probably be busy on summer weddings on weekends.
Fall Engagement Session
There’s something so utterly romantic about Fall engagement sessions. Trees are turning gold, and the air is crystal clear. I often suggest my couples consider out of town engagement sessions to capitalize on Fall foliage and capture the beauty of changing nature.
Pros:
– Breathtaking Fall colors everywhere!
– Perfect for out-of-town engagement photos in nature.
Things to keep in mind:
– Allow for extra free time to reschedule your engagement session due to rains.
– It might get chilly in the evening, so make sure you’re dresses accordingly.
Winter Engagement Session
I love winter. Hot chocolate, warm, fuzzy blankets and snuggling by the fireplace are some of my favorite things during long, winter days. Winter engagement shoots can be super romantic and intimate as most likely it is going to be at your house or your favorite local coffee shop. They can also be very festive and bright if you schedule it closer to the holidays.
Pros:
– More flexibility with scheduling your winter engagement session as your wedding photographer just wrapped up a busy wedding season.
– You can also shoot at any time without worrying about harsh sunlight. Because winter days tend to be overcast, it means that you can shoot in places it was impossible to shoot otherwise.
Things to keep in mind:
– Your photography locations might be limited to coffee shops or your own house. It doesn’t take away from romance though as indoor engagement photos can be very beautiful and cozy.
– If you decide to brave the cold and venture out into nature, you may end up with some of the most stunning winter landscapes and snowflakes as a backdrop for your engagement photos!
