How to Personalize Your Engagement Session | Engagement Tips
First of all, your engagement session is already 100% personal because you’re in it! No one else is you and know one has your story or the identical connection you and your fiancé have. As far as we’re concerned, as long as we have good light and you are ready to have fun, it’s going to be amazing! Our favorite sessions are those that our couples just let loose and be themselves, the location or props don’t matter at all because it should be just about you two. A nice sunset doesn’t disappoint, though. ;)
However, if you’re feeling awkward about the idea of being in front of the camera, if you think engagement photos aren’t “for you”, one of you doesn’t like having your photo taken, or maybe the sunset beach photos just aren't your style, here are some creative ways to express who you are through your engagement photos. They might just help you relax and enjoy yourself a bit, too!
MAKE YOUR FANTASY A REALITY. Still waiting for that Hogwarts letter to arrive? Us, too. While we wait (possibly forever) how about having a session at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter! How’s a cold butter beer and a snuggle with your best friend sound?
May the Force Be With you. Until we have Star Wars Land here at Disneyland, and even then the idea of the crowds makes us dizzy, you might just have to deal with some fun Star Wars props to make that session feel as if the force is flowing through you. Fun fact: this photo is hanging in the lobby of ILM (Industrial Light and Magic) in London. It’s printed at 8ft!!
Hobbiton would be a dream come true for us, so if anyone wants to head their for a session we are 100% IN. Warning: @mrs.vondy might cry at Hobbiton beauty.
MAKE IT A DATE NIGHT. What’s more romantic than a date with your sweetie?? Not only is it a fun way to feel like yourselves, it might help if one of you isn’t super keen on having your photo taken.
Love your neighborhood? Layne + Will’s story started in theirs, so what better place to capture them wandering about, being themselves! But then, what’s not to love about Los Feliz, funky walls and a cocktail at the iconic Dresden?
Are you major foodies? Do you just love a trip to flavor town? No problem! Do what you love! Stefania and Derek love burgers and milkshakes, so that’s exactly where we went for their session. The results: a first class ticket to Flavortown.
Love coffee? GO GET COFFEE. Sorry we yelled. We love it too, and maybe had a little too much today.
Savannah + Ashli adore finding new coffee spots together in their San Francisco neighborhood. Whatever you do, don’t give @mr.vondy two shots of espresso in his mocha or he gets crazy!
Any fellow movie lovers out there? One of our favorite date night activities is going to the movies! If you’re like us, and Andrew and Elle, grab some popcorn and go to the movies!
Fun Fact: When we first started dating, we lived in this neighborhood and it was our local theater. If you are in the LA area and haven’t been, it’s amazing.
PERSONALIZE IT! Love nature but want it to feel unique to you? Bring a picnic! Taylor + Brendan couple loves to have picnics and loves to bring scrabble along for the fun, too.
PILLOW FIGHT!! We don’t know about you guys, but our favorite place is our bed. But we also love trees and nature… maybe if we bring our bedroom to nature, like Kelsey and JD!
CHOOSE A MEANINGFUL LOCATION. You can always choose a location that means something personal to you. Whether that’s walking in the woods, the beach at sunset, the views at Griffith Observatory, or Pasadena City Hall because you love Parks and Rec.
Sheila + Nathan met at a friends get together that just happens to be right next to a little lake! It’s also where Nathan proposed, so of course it’s absolutely where we had to go to tell their story.
Kathryn Mike live in NYC but used to live and walk this path in Santa Monica. It was the perfect location for them.
Nessa grew up going to her Grandma’s unbelievable 1930s home all of her life. She and David knew it was the place they would feel the most comfortable for their session.
INCORPORATE YOUR PASSIONS. Love to play video games? Morgan and Matt expressed they love playing video games together, so what better place to go than the arcade!
Do you have an obsession like antiquing together? Our brides, Stephanie and Stephanie love hitting the Rose Bowl Flea Market whenever their schedule allows, so why not take their engagement photos there? Although, it helps if you’re both named Stephanie. :)
What about riding a motorcycle together? Well, Karlygush and Joseph love to do just that and wanted to incorporate it into their session. We’re all about thinking outside the box!
Raise your hand if like us and you are happy vinyl has made a comeback! Maybe that’s a great option, browsing a record store with the one you love like Laura and Brendan did.
ADD A POP OF COLOR. Keep it simple, just add a pop of color! How about Claire + Jon and their colored smoke bomb Joshua Tree engagement? This is still one of our favorites. Who wants to go to Joshua Tree for their session? Contact us!!
How about just a colorful wall?
SUPPORT YOUR TEAM. Love sports? You can have a session at your local baseball stadium!
@mrs.vondy grew up in STL so she’s a big St. Louis Cardinals fan.
Not into baseball? No problem! This couple went ice skating and wore their favorite team’s jerseys!
@mr.vondy is a die hard, SJ Sharks fan (and he’s converted mrs. v too)
BRING YOUR FURBABY ALONG. Love your pup? Bring him/her along for the fun like these amazing couples did!
HAVE FUN. Bottom line, don’t feel like you have to do anything special if it isn’t your style. Some of our favorite sessions are when our couples come just as they are and we get to document the beautiful connection between them. We love nothing more than when couples are in love, being themselves, and having fun. And you can rest assured if your session is with us, it will be fun. Guaranteed.
Curious about our engagement session? Here’s a little snippet. Mr. Vondy is an amazing guitar player and we both love music. We’re also both more than obsessed with Game of Thrones. Mr. Vondy is also good at spoiling an ending.
Fun Fact: We walked down the aisle to the Game of Thrones theme song after saying “I do”!
Engaged? Looking for a rad engagement session with a pretty fun husband wife photography team? We know one! All of our wedding packages include an engagement session, so we can get to know each other. AND we travel worldwide! Contact us to see if we’re available for your day!