Hello, lovely bride-to-be! Woohoo and CONGRATS on your engagement! Now that you’re engaged, you have a gazillion things to think about and plan (The dress! The Invitations! Uhhh…THE WEDDING!). Take a breath and let’s talk about your Kansas City engagement photography.
Engagement photos can feel like just another thing on your to-do list, but they are an important aspect of the moments leading up to your Big Day (and long after, too!). Not only will your session be a great place to shake off your wedding photo nerves, you’ll be sending them out to family and friends and posting them on social media. You’ll fill your albums and walls with your engagement photos. So, in short… you want them to look awesome!
My name is Rebecca, and I am the owner of Catch Light Photography and specialize in Kansas City wedding & engagement photography. I’ve shot tons of newly engaged couples and their weddings, and want to share with you some juicy tidbits to get the most out of your wedding day.
7 of the best Kansas City engagement photography tips
#1. RELAX and be in LOVE.
Easier said than done, right?!? I know most haven’t had professional photographs taken since high school, so getting in front of the camera can be nerve-wracking and awkward. This is your time to be “in the moment” and just really enjoy each other naturally. Giggle, laugh, kiss, gaze, whisper, be silly. Pretend you’re on a fun date. Treat your session like that and a good photographer can capture your love for one another.
#2 LOCATION:
Pick a meaningful one! Your location should be a place of significance in your relationship. Think about things you like to do together, where you met, where you had your best dates and go from there. Your photographer should be the one to lean on when it comes to picking a location, as this can be an overwhelming choice.
#3 HAIR & MAKEUP:
Get it professionally done. Truly, it makes a HUGE difference. It’s a great way to test out a stylist for your Big Day and see what it looks like for the camera. You can also test color palettes that you would like to use for your wedding. Bonus: It’s a great way to spoil yourself! But, most importantly, you know you will look flawless.
#4 WARDROBE:
Picking what to wear is HUGE. It’s important to be comfortable, but at the same time don’t be afraid to elevate what you would normally wear. Saying hello to that well-fitting jacket and a dynamite dress can take your portraits to the next level. Accessories like hats, jewelry, and scarves are a great way to bring fun and that perfect pop of color into your images. But also remember to dress for the weather and location! If you are too cold or hot, you won’t be having any fun and it will show. When you are selecting your outfits, think about your chosen location. Heels would not fit into a woodsy scene, but would be fabulous in a cosmopolitan location. Both outfits should match in formality, but don’t get caught in the “matchy-matchy” trap. It’s much more interesting for your wardrobe to be coordinated rather than matching. Most importantly, make sure you love the way you look in your attire! Confidence shines through when you know you look AH-mazing.
#5 LIGHTING:
Good lighting wins all, girl! The most beautiful light happens for the first two hours after sunrise and before sunset. You’ve seen the stunning lighting I’m talking about: the gorgeous sun flare, soft romantic look, and beautiful coloring. Kansas City sunsets are notoriously stunning. Try to stay away from mid-day lighting as it limits your location choices and is less flattering.
#6 IMAGES:
Think about what you want to do with your images. Do you want wall art? A Save the Date image? Are you going to make a guest book with the images? Communicate your ideas with your photographer so they know what to shoot for.
#7 YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER:
Trust (and like) your photographer. Your engagement session is a great way for you to be more comfortable with both the camera and your photographer. You are building a very important relationship, especially since your photographer will be with you for the majority of your wedding day. Communication is key. Talk about your visions, what makes you nervous, and what you don’t like in photographs. And then let them help you through it. It’s all about teamwork and relationships so you can end up with photographs that are intimate, personal, and truly reflect YOU!
Are you looking for someone to capture your love? I’d love to talk to you about photographing your Kansas City engagement or wedding! Check out my website and send me a message.
Rebecca
www.CatchLight-Photography.com
913.299.7972
