ULTIMATE GUIDE | UPDATED FOR 2023
Congratulations - you’re engaged!!! Welcome to one of your life’s most exciting, romantic, and blissful times. I hope you’re enjoying every moment of catching that new sparkle on your finger out of the corner of your eye and realizing you get to spend the rest of your life with your best friend by your side.
With this new and exhilarating change in your life, I’m sure you’re already starting to think about your upcoming wedding! Who wouldn’t? As you daydream and spend your free time creating Pinterest boards and envisioning your dream wedding, I encourage you to think about what you can do to celebrate your engagement, too. After all, you’ll be “wife” or “husband” for the rest of your life - you’ll only be “fiancé(e)” for a short amount of time!
One of my favorite parts of an engagement is taking engagement photos. These pictures are typically less formal than the ones you’ll take on your wedding day and represent a more authentic version of you and your partner. Engagement photos are time capsules for this exciting era of your life. They can be used for wedding-related items like save-the-dates, signage, and wedding websites.
Additionally, if you’re using the same photographer for your wedding as for your engagement photos (which I highly recommend!), your engagement shoot is the perfect time for them to learn about you and get to know your personalities.
If you live in Atlanta and are considering engagement photos, you’ve come to the right place! Welcome to the Ultimate Guide to Planning your Atlanta Engagement Photos!
You’ve said yes, you have the ring, popped the Champagne, and made it official - now what? Is it time to jump right into your engagement shoot?
It depends. Ideally, your engagement photo session should occur about 6 - 12 months before your wedding. That way, you’ll have the finished photos back with plenty of time to use them to save the dates and décor, should you choose.
You’ll also want to consider the time of year in which you’d like to take your photos; Atlanta can drastically within a six-month window, so if you’re looking for a specific seasonal touch, take that into consideration!
Choosing the right season for your engagement session largely depends on your preferences and the aesthetic you’re going for.
In spring, Atlanta sees milder temperatures and some gorgeous spring blooms. This is a great time to incorporate colorful flowers and budding greenery, especially in some of Atlanta’s beautiful parks and gardens. Summers can be humid and uncomfortably warm, but they offer longer daylight hours for more flexible timing! We just may have to keep our eyes on the lookout for pop-up thunderstorms…
Fall is always a popular time for Atlanta engagement photos due to the vibrant autumn colors and comfortable weather. It’s the perfect season to pull out some fun layers and even a pair of boots! Winters are generally mild but can still get chilly. That said, they’re the ideal time for cozy, wintery vibes with Christmas lights and cuddly blankets.
Whichever season you choose, remember that the best lighting for photos is often either in the morning at sunrise or in the evening at sunset. Early morning photos can be a bear for late risers, but you’ll definitely do better avoiding any crowds!
Now the big question - what do you wear?? First and foremost, you should dress appropriately for the season and the location where you’re having photos taken. But ultimately, you want to wear what makes you feel comfortable, beautiful, and confident. These pictures capture your personality and style, so stay true to your unique aesthetic.
For the best photos, I also urge you to think about color, pattern, and textiles. You want to find a color that is flattering to your skin tone but will also make you stand out from the background. Patterns can often look busy and distracting - but not all! If you have a favorite piece you just can’t wait to wear, bring it anyway, and we’ll see what we can do! Additionally, photos love a piece that has movement, so flowy dresses or skirts are always a fabulous option. Just don’t pick anything that might inhibit your movement so we can have fun with poses without the fear of getting caught up in fabric or having a fashion faux pas.
As for shoes, while heels can look gorgeous, try to think practically; if we’re shooting in a rural, rugged location, maybe stilettos aren’t the most reasonable choice. Or, bring them, but be sure to bring a pair that is better for walking from site to site!
Piedmont Park is basically iconic Atlanta. With gorgeous rolling fields, forested areas, and pristine lakes, it offers a variety of beautiful natural backdrops. We can even capture photos of the park in all its natural glory, with the Atlanta skyline stretching tall behind you.
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When finding the right photographer to take your engagement photos, there are a few things to keep in mind.
First, find someone whose style you love. Take the time to look through their portfolio or social media to get a sense of their aesthetic. If it matches yours, you might be a great fit!
Second, think long-term, as in your wedding photos. Having the same photographer take your wedding and engagement photos only benefits you both. Getting to know one another throughout your engagement shoot makes your wedding day even smoother since you’ll already be familiar with each other’s styles, preferences, and personalities. Plus, most photographers offer wedding packages with an engagement photo session!
As for me, I’m a true hopeless romantic. I love learning about every couple’s love story and what brought them together perfectly. My style is timeless, sophisticated, and professional, and I love incorporating your personalities into every one of your photos. If you’re looking for the right Atlanta engagement (and wedding) photographer, I may just be the right one for you!
I’ve created different packages for couples seeking elopement, intimate weddings, traditional weddings, or wedding event weekends. Investment begins at $3,000.
I’m always happy to help you with payment plans, extra hours, a second photographer, or other add-ons to enhance your wedding day!
Let’s Do This!
Meet
KIM
Some call me an old soul — maybe because I’ve shared a connection with my grandmother from an early age. I’ve carried her love of photography, florals, and family into my career as an Atlanta wedding photographer.
My passion is finding the emotion in a photo: that organic moment of surprise, delight, or pure devotion between you and your partner. Whatever your wedding day looks like, I’m here to capture it exactly as you’ve dreamed.
This guide will help you feel confident in your decision and investment when booking your dream wedding photographer by knowing what questions you should be asking to make sure your memories are beautifully preserved.