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Paper Birch Collective
- Jan 13
- 8 min read

Why You Need An Engagement Photoshoot Session | With Photo Inspiration

Updated: 1 day ago

Featured in The Knot, Wedding Wire, Martha Stewart Weddings, Basic Invite, WedAward, Maharani Weddings, Wedissimo, Style Me Pretty

It's engagement season!! 💍

'Tis the season to get engaged! If you are one of the lucky couples who said “yes” to your partner, a big congratulations to you and yours! You might be feeling a mix of excitement, joy, and maybe a little bit of anxiety. But before you get too caught up in the details, don’t forget to schedule one of the most exciting and meaningful parts of your engagement: the photoshoot. In this blog, we will share 5 reasons why you need an engagement session, 5 tips & tricks for your photoshoot, and some of our favorite engagement photos (perfect for those who need inspiration).

5 Reasons Why You NEED An Engagement Photoshoot Session

You might be wondering: "Do I really need an engagement photos?" Well, there are many reasons why you will not regret getting professional portraits of you and your partner. Engagement photoshoots are more than just a fun way to celebrate your love and show off your ring. They are also a valuable opportunity to capture your unique relationship, connect with your photographer, and prepare for your big day. Here are five reasons why engagement photoshoots are important and why you should book one now.

Engagement photoshoot by Paper Birch Collective, California wedding and engagement photographer - taken at Mission San Juan Capistrano

DOCUMENT YOUR LOVE | Engagement photos are a way to document your love story and capture the emotions of this next step in your relationship. Pictures are the perfect way to preserve your important moments. Some lovely ideas include: revisiting the spot of your first date, recreating your proposal, or simply enjoying each other’s company at your favorite spot. Your photos will be a precious reminder of your love for one another that you will cherish forever. Not to mention, imagine how special it would be to share your engagement photos to your grandchildren and generations to come.

EXPRESS YOUR LOVE | Engagement photos are a beautiful way to showcase your personality and style as a couple. You can choose a location, outfit, and theme that reflect your love and individuality. You can opt for a place that has a special meaning for you and your partner, such as your favorite coffee shop, park, or museum. You can also go for a scenic spot with a stunning backdrop, such as the beach, a forest, or a city skyline. You can even travel to a destination that you’ve always wanted to see, such as Hawaii, New York, Italy, or Iceland. The possibilities are truly endless! Whether you are into beach vibes, urban chic, rustic charm, or anything in between, you can find a way to beautifully express it through your engagement photo gallery.

Engagement photo shot by Paper Birch Collective, California wedding and engagement photographer - taken at Jeffrey Open Space Trail in Irvine SOCAL

MORE THAN PHOTOS | Engagement photos are not only great images, but also make for a useful tool and beautiful addition to your wedding planning. We love it when couples use their engagement photos for save-the-dates, invitations, guest book, website, thank-you cards, or wedding decor. You can also display them at your bridal shower, rehearsal dinner, ceremony, and reception. Your guests will love seeing your beautiful photos and enjoy getting to know you more as a couple. Plus, photos make for stunning and sentimental home decor!

BOND + MAKE MEMORIES | There is no doubt that you will have a fun and memorable experience with your partner at your engagement photoshoot. Not to mention, this intimate time together will be a beautiful bonding experience as well. Some great ideas we suggest is that you can make it a date night, a weekend getaway, or a surprise adventure. You can also involve your pets, your family, or your friends in your shoot. The most important thing is to have fun with your partner! Overall, engagement sessions are the perfect way to have intimate bonding time with your partner, create lifelong memories, and have portraits to cherish forever.

WEDDING DAY PREP | Last, but not least, engagement photoshoots are a great way for connecting with your wedding photographer and practicing being in front of the camera before your big day. Being comfortable with your photographer as well as being confident in front of the camera will make a huge positive difference for y0ur wedding day. The more you connect and trust your photographer, the more you will love your photos.

5 Engagement Photoshoot TIPS & TRICKS

Now that you know why you and your partner need an engagement photoshoot, you might be wondering how you should go about it all. Here are a few tips and tricks for your engagement photos. Firstly, find a professional photographer who can capture your vision while also making you feel comfortable. Some tools to find your perfect photographer include Google, Yelp, social media such as Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, or trusted wedding vendors like Wedding Wire, The Knot, Basic Invite, and Martha Weddings.

Engagement photoshoot by Paper Birch Collective, Southern California wedding and engagement photographer - taken at Mission Inn Hotel in Los Angeles California

Tip 1 ~ PHOTOSHOOT LOCATION

As for location, our tip is to pick a location you and your partner LOVE. You can choose a photoshoot location that has sentimental meaning to your relationship. For instance, a few cute ideas include: revisiting the spot of your first date, recreating your proposal, or simply enjoying each other’s company at your favorite spot. Another way to go is pick a location that offers stunning views and has great backdrops for you photos. From the beach to the city, we have captured it all!

Tip 2 ~ FIND YOUR VISION

Before your photoshoot session, create a mood board or lookbook of your favorite photoshoot inspiration and ideas. Finding inspiration pictures for a mood board/lookbook is a wonderful way to help your photographer capture the images you envision. Knowing what poses and pictures you want on the spot is sometimes stressful, but sharing a lookbook of ideas can be helpful for you and your photographer.

Tip 3 ~ CLOTHING ATTIRE

When it comes to clothing attire for your engagement photoshoot, it really all depends on your style. You can go for a casual, formal, or a themed look. You can also coordinate your outfits with your partner. Mix and matching colors, patterns, and textures are a great look, too. Fun ways to add a little flair to your style include accessorizing with jewelry, hats, scarves, or props. The most important thing is to wear something that makes you feel both confident and comfortable.

Engagement photoshoot by Paper Birch Collective, Southern California wedding and engagement photographer - taken at Treasure Island Laguna Beach SoCal

Tip 4 ~ TIME OF DAY

The time of day of your photoshoot will make a difference in the look and feel of your photos. When planning your engagement session, keep in mind the time of day and what season because this factor can lead to different lighting, plus sometimes weather struggles. One of our favorite times to have an engagement photoshoot is during golden hour, which is an hour before sunset. We recommend starting your beach photoshoot one to two hours before sunset to capture the beauty of golden hour at the beach.

Tip 5 ~ HAVE FUN!!

Once you have everything planned out, it’s time to enjoy your engagement photoshoot and let your photographer do their magic. Remember to relax, smile, and just have fun with your partner. Don’t worry about posing or looking perfect. Focus on the connection and chemistry that you share, the your photos will reflect your genuine emotions and personalities, and that’s what makes them beautiful!

Wedding Engagement Photo Inspiration + Ideas

If you’re looking for some engagement photography inspo and ideas, you’ve come to the right place! Engagement photoshoots are a great way to celebrate and document your love. Whether you want to go for a romantic, playful, chic, or dramatic look, there are plenty of ideas to inspire you. Here are some of our favorites:

Engagement Photography by Paper Birch Collective, Orange County Photo and video team in SoCal

Thank You for Reading!

We appreciate you for visiting our blog. Remember, engagement photos are more than just beautiful pictures, they are a celebration of your love and a preview of your wedding day. They are a way to capture the essence of your relationship and share it with the world. They are a precious treasure that will be cherished for years to come. So, don’t miss this opportunity to make the most of your engagement season with stunning photos. You won’t regret it!