Engagement photos don’t have to feel awkward, forced, or “not you.”
Let’s get one thing straight: engagement photos shouldn’t feel like a performance.
They shouldn’t feel stiff, uncomfortable, or like you’re pretending to be someone you’re not. Your engagement session should feel like a pause, a chance to slow down, connect, laugh a little, and create images that actually reflect your relationship.
Great engagement photos aren’t about knowing how to pose. They’re about feeling comfortable, supported, and confident enough to just show up as yourselves. When that happens, the photos stop feeling like “photos” and start feeling like memories in the making.
This guide exists to help you understand why engagement sessions feel awkward for so many couples and how to make sure yours feels natural, fun, and genuinely meaningful.
Your photographer helping you rock your engagement photos!
Hey, I'm Beth!
the gal behind the guide:
I get it. I’ve spent years behind the camera, and what I’ve learned is this: the photos you’ll treasure aren’t the perfectly posed ones, they’re the moments that show your connection, your laughter, your joy...
But those wont come naturally, unless you feel confident and comfortable.... So thats where I come in!
I’m here to help you feel completely yourself, and present. Whether it’s guiding a gentle pose, making you laugh, or simply staying out of the way so you can enjoy your day, my goal is to capture the story as it happens, honestly, beautifully, and fully.
I love being barefoot in nature, especially when I'm behind the camera
I'm obsessed with 80s, 90s and 00's dance music
I love houseplants, but houseplants don't love me.
I have a 130lb Bernese cross named Geroge
A few random Facts about me:
50+
10,000+
5
weddings
Captured
photos taken
years full-time in
weddings
The Biggest Limiting Belief I Hear About Engagement Photos
“We’re awkward in front of the camera.”
Almost every couple says this. And here’s the truth: you’re not awkward... you’re just not models.
Most people have never been guided through a professional photo experience before, so of course it feels uncomfortable at first.
The problem isn’t you.
It’s the lack of guidance, intention, and trust in the process.
My role during your engagement session isn’t just to take photos, it’s to create an environment where you feel relaxed, confident, and free to be yourselves.
I’ll guide you when needed, offer direction that feels natural (never stiff), and step back when the moment is unfolding on its own.
Engagement photos don’t magically “work” because you’re photogenic. They work because you feel safe, seen, and supported, and that’s something I take seriously.
table of contents:
Click to jump!
1. LOCATION
2. Lighting
3. What to wear
6. Trust the Process
5. stay in your lane!
7. Practice makes Perfect!
4. Your Photographer
engagement
Photo locations
1. Choose a Location That Feels Like You
Reflect how you actually spend time together
Feel natural, not intimidating or overly busy
Allow you to move, walk, and interact easily
Match the overall vibe of your relationship (laid-back, adventurous, cozy, romantic)
Your engagement session location sets the tone for the entire experience. The best photos happen in places where you feel comfortable, relaxed, and connected, not just somewhere that looks good on Instagram.
When you choose a location that means something to you, your photos instantly feel more personal and authentic.
Choose locations and activities that mirror real moments in your relationship, so your photos feel familiar, honest, and genuinely you.
A calm, simple setting helps you relax, connect, and focus on each other without distractions pulling you out of the moment.
Spaces with room to move create natural moments, walking, laughing, holding hands, that translate into effortless, candid photographs.
Whether your love feels adventurous, cozy, romantic, or laid-back, your location should reflect the energy you naturally share together.
Timing and Light
2. Timing Is Everything (Hello, Good Light)
Create warmth and depth in your photos
Reduce harsh shadows and squinting
Encourage a slower, calmer pace
Enhance emotion and connection
Lighting plays a huge role in how your photos feel. Soft, flattering light helps you relax and makes everything look more natural, including you.
That’s why engagement sessions are typically scheduled during golden hour or early morning. Not because it’s trendy, but because the light is gentle, forgiving, and cinematic.
Soft morning or evening light wraps you gently, adding warmth, dimension, and a timeless glow to your images.
Shooting during ideal light keeps faces relaxed, eyes comfortable, and expressions natural instead of strained.
Early mornings and golden evenings naturally slow things down, helping you feel present, unhurried, and more connected.
Beautiful light sets the mood, allowing real emotion to shine through and your connection to feel deeper and more intimate.
What to wear
3. Wear Something That Feels Like Yourself (Not a Costume)
Feel comfortable to sit, walk, and move in
Reflect your style, but don't be afraid to get fancy
Complement each other without being matchy
Avoid bold prints, bright colours or busy fabrics.
What you wear affects how you move, how you feel, and how comfortable you are during your session. If you’re constantly adjusting, pulling, or second-guessing your outfit, it will show.
Your engagement photos should look timeless, but more importantly, they should feel like you.
Choose outfits that let you move freely, sit comfortably, and walk without thinking twice, comfort helps you relax and show up naturally on camera. If you feel uncomfortable, it will show up in your photos!
Your outfits should feel like you, just elevated, polished enough to feel special, but still true to how you want to see yourselves remembered.
Think coordinated, not identical, complementary tones, textures, and styles help you look cohesive while still letting each personality shine.
Bold prints, bright colours, and busy fabrics can pull attention away from the connection between you. Choosing softer tones and simple textures keeps the focus on your emotions, not your outfits, and helps your photos feel timeless.
Just some of the perks of working with me.
Experience-Led Guidance
Vendor Referrals
Tangible Heirlooms
Thoughtful Timeline Planning
Unique Experience
Warmth, humor, and calm energy
Custom posing designed to match your personality, resulting in images that feel natural, relaxed, and truly you.
Recommended vendors to streamline planning, ease stress, and create a smooth, enjoyable wedding day.
Heirloom-quality keepsakes that capture your love, emotions, and memories to cherish forever.
Purposeful timeline design to keep your day calm, seamless, and fully present.
A photography experience that’s genuine, relaxed, and completely reflective of your love story.
Friendly guidance, gentle humor, and calm presence to help you feel natural and confident in front of the camera.
Choosing the Right Photographer
4. Find someone who gets you and your story
Review portfolios to see if their style resonates with you
Schedule a consultation or discovery call to feel their personality
Check reviews and testimonials from past clients
Make sure their workflow and communication match your expectations
Your engagement photos are only as good as the person behind the camera. The right photographer isn’t just someone with a great camera, they’re someone who understands your personalities, your relationship, and how to bring out your genuine connection.
When you feel comfortable, confident, and supported, your photos naturally shine.
Look through full galleries, not just highlights, to ensure the photographer’s style aligns with your vision. Pay attention to lighting, emotion, and the way couples naturally connect in their work.
A conversation helps you gauge if their energy and approach fit yours. Comfort and connection with your photographer directly influence how relaxed and authentic your photos will feel.
Hearing about other couples’ experiences gives insight into the photographer’s professionalism, reliability, and ability to make clients feel comfortable. Positive feedback often highlights the little details that matter most.
Ask about timelines, deliverables, and how they handle questions or last-minute changes. Clear communication ensures your experience feels seamless, stress-free, and fully aligned with your needs and expectations.
How I guide couples through this:
I help you feel at ease from the very first conversation, giving you confidence in your choice and ensuring a smooth, enjoyable session that reflects you. A photographer who aligns with your energy and vision makes all the difference in creating authentic, meaningful images you’ll love.
Stay in your lane!
5. Focus on Connection, Not Posing
Movement instead of standing still
Talking, laughing, and interacting naturally
Gentle guidance instead of rigid posing
You don’t need to know how to pose. That’s not your job, it’s mine.
Most of the best engagement photos come from movement, interaction, and genuine emotion, not standing perfectly still and smiling at the camera.
During your session, I’ll guide you into natural positions and prompts that encourage connection rather than perfection.
I encourage natural movement, walking, twirling, or gentle gestures, so your photos feel alive. Moving keeps energy flowing, helps you relax, and creates authentic, joyful images.
I prompt fun conversation, jokes, and shared stories so your connection shines. When you’re laughing and talking, your photos capture the real chemistry and genuine emotions between you.
Instead of stiff poses, I offer soft guidance to help you find comfort and confidence. Small adjustments keep you feeling natural while still producing beautiful, flattering images.
I step back at the right moments, allowing your authentic interactions to unfold. This approach captures real emotion, making your photos feel timeless, honest, and full of life.
Letting moments happen instead of forcing them
Let go and trust
6. Trust the Process (Even If It Feels Weird at First)
Letting yourself settle into the moment
Knowing awkward moments are temporary
Allowing emotions to show naturally
Trusting your photographer to lead when needed
Almost every engagement session starts the same way: a little nervous energy, some laughter, and a few “what do I do with my hands?” moments..... That’s normal.
The magic happens when you let go of trying to do it “right” and trust that you’re being guided through the experience with intention.
Further build out each point you have here. Be sure to include some helpful backlinks and other resources. You can even create completely different sections for each of these bullet points if you want to build this out further!
Further build out each point you have here. Be sure to include some helpful backlinks and other resources. You can even create completely different sections for each of these bullet points if you want to build this out further!
Don’t hold back! Genuine smiles, tender glances, and laughter make your connection shine. Letting your feelings come through creates photos that are heartfelt, timeless, and real.
Rely on guidance for posing or movement. When you trust the photographer, it frees you to relax, feel confident, and express emotion naturally, creating images full of life and connection.
Practice makes Perfect!
7. Remember: This Session Is Practice for Your Wedding Day
Letting yourself settle into the moment
Knowing awkward moments are temporary
Allowing emotions to show naturally
Trusting your photographer to lead when needed
Your engagement session isn’t just about photos, it’s about building comfort and trust before your wedding. Different couples do better with some posing techniques over others. Some do better with movement, and some get overwhelmed with movement.
I great photographer can alter their posing techniques to suit what works best for that particular couple. But that finessing does take a bit of trial and error to figure out. The engagement session gives us the opportunity to work out those kinks before the wedding day so that you can go in feeling prepared and confident.
The engagment session also give you the opportunity to understand and learn how the photographer works so you know what to expect on the wedding day. This all ends up saving time and ensures seamless portrait sessions at your wedding!
Your engagement session gives you a low-pressure chance to experience being in front of the camera. By the wedding day, you’ll feel relaxed, confident, and at ease with every shot.
During your session, you’ll see how gentle guidance works. By learning how I direct movement and poses beforehand, you’ll feel comfortable and confident following my lead on your wedding day.
The engagement session shows you that real, authentic moments are what shine. Experiencing this first makes it easier to relax and let your natural connection come through on the big day.
Engagement photos give you the space to let go, have fun, and be fully present. Practicing this before the wedding helps you feel calm, genuine, and at ease on your day.
because you deserve the best
So, how does this work?
Step One
Step Two
Step Three
Lets connect and see if we're a good fit!
Lets chat about you and how we can make your engagement session dreamy and unique!
Have the best time capturing your engagement naturally and beautifully.
Reach out
Plan your engagement
Have the best engagement session ever!
Bethany's talent is truly remarkable.
"We had an incredible experience working with Bethany at Splitrail Studios for both our engagement shoot on the beach and our wedding day photography and videography. Bethany's talent is truly remarkable. She captured every moment beautifully, from the intimate exchanges to the lively celebrations, making each shot a treasured memory.
What stood out the most was her ability to make everyone feel so comfortable and relaxed, which brought out the genuine joy in our photos. She made the entire wedding party feel at ease, and we all had so much fun, which translated perfectly in the shots and videos.
Bethany's attention to detail and creative eye made every frame feel special. We couldn't be happier with how she captured our love story. Highly recommend Splitrail Studios for any special occasion!"
