Engagement Photoshoots

When Should You Take Engagement Photos?

  • Four to Nine Months

    It’s really up to you, but most couples take engagement photos between either four to six months or six to nine months before their wedding. Six months seems to be the sweet spot for sending out “Save the Dates.” However, if you are doing a destination wedding, try an earlier date.

    A black and white photo of a couple holding hands, standing on rocky ground by the ocean. The woman is wearing an elegant dress with a long train, and the man is dressed in a suit. The sky is overcast.

  • Time of Sessions

    It’s important to know when you want to take your engagement photos because the time of day can add a dramatic effect. Think about sunsets, or what’s generally going on (think background) during the time you want to take pictures.

    Silhouette of a couple at dusk with a building in the background and crescent moon in the sky.

  • Dates

    Sometimes, the day or date matters, too. Is there a specific month and day combination that’s important to you? Did you meet on a Friday night? Also, think about how bus that particular day might be if you’re taking photos outside or in a public area.

    A man in a suit and a woman in a pink floral dress hold hands in front of an urban skyline with a prominent bridge.

Locations

Where’s the best place to take your engagement photos?

Couple holding hands walking on a beach at sunset
Rocky coastline with waves crashing, blue ocean, distant hills, and green vegetation in the foreground.
Couple standing in front of stone archway, woman in red dress, man in dark clothing, architectural details visible.

These are YOUR engagement photos - wherever you want to be, Carpe Diem Design Studio will be there, too! Choose a place that brings you happy emotions and your joy will shine through in every photo.

Think of meaningful places such as the place you met your fiancé. This could be a college campus, or if you met volunteering at a dog shelter, try photos at a dog park.

Couple holding hands and smiling on a beach at sunset, with a bright sun flare.

If you like architectural backgrounds, look for castles, sculpture gardens, or cityscapes. This could be areas on a walking bridge or rooftop that showcases different heights of city buildings, or in front an ancient castle museum.

A couple walking in front of a large stone castle-like building with towers and arched windows on a sunny day.

Romance is easy to capture in wide, open areas like beaches, floral gardens, and natural landscapes. These places are often filled with a lot of colorful backgrounds.

A couple standing on a beach, with a lighthouse in the background, embraced while the woman wears a vibrant pink dress flowing around them.
A couple embracing under a tree with autumn leaves.

What Should You Wear?

Dramatic Effects

To add some flair to your photos, try wearing outfits with long trains or flowy skirts.

Man in black suit lifting woman in pink dress on a sandy beach with ocean waves and cloudy sky in the background.
Couple embracing on rocks by the sea, woman in red flowing dress, cloudy sky.

Striking Elegance

Formal, semi-formal, party attire, and even business attire are great choices for photos that stand out with class!

A couple standing by a lake during sunset, with the man embracing the woman from behind.
A woman in a red gown and a man in a black suit with a red bow tie posing outdoors near a stone wall.
A couple embracing in front of an ornate wooden door with decorative columns and a chandelier above.
Man and woman holding hands and facing each other outdoors, surrounded by autumn foliage with sunlight in the background.

Casual Comfort

Your photos represent you and your love for one another. Wear something authentic to your personality like comfortable clothing or bright colors.

Silhouettes of a couple facing each other with a romantic sunset over the ocean in the background, overlaid within a profile of a couple's faces.
A couple posing on rocky shore with ocean and cloudy sky in the background.
A couple standing closely with their foreheads touching inside a dimly lit stone structure, sunlight streaming in from a window.
A couple standing inside a small stone turret with an ocean view.
Couple holding hands on a rocky coastline with waves in the background, surrounded by greenery and palm trees.
A couple dressed formally walking outdoors at sunset. The woman in a blue dress with a slit and heels, the man in a blue suit with shiny shoes.
A couple holding hands and facing each other on a pathway with grass and a body of water in the background during sunset, with lens flare creating a circular light effect.
Couple embracing on a beach at sunset, man lifting woman in red dress.
A couple holding hands, leaning against a rustic concrete wall with earthy tones. The woman is wearing a white dress and the man is in a striped shirt and blue shorts. Green grass is at their feet.
Silhouette of a couple walking at sunset with a scenic sky.