Tip #1:  Location, location, location…YES, it’s that important! I’ve found that some of the best engagement photos are ones that are taken in places that are interesting and bustling with excitement.  My favorite locations are ones where there is a lot of activity and eye candy in its own because, that in itself already creates a great backdrop for your photos, not to mention some great activities that you can partake in as a couple.  In engagement photos, kissing and gazing is great, but sometimes we want to see more than that…we want to see you having fun and being naturally you!  Don’t get me wrong, fields and parks are great too, but those locations lead up to tip #2, see below.

Tip #2:  Props are your friend. Props add so much to engagement shoots because they really spice up a shoot.  They’re also a great way to add interest to your engagement session by backing up a theme that you might have or simply, by giving you more opportunity to twirl with one another and have fun!  If fields and isolated areas are your location of choice, then props will really help to bring out more of your personality as a couple and give your photographer better opportunities of creating really fun and great photos of the both of you.

Tip #3:  Get dolled up.  Since you are already spending the time to do a photo session, one of my best recommendations is to really treat it as a full production and get your hair and make-up done for the photos.  Since the photos will most likely be used in some part of your wedding, you want to make sure you look great and part of that does come from the cosmetics of the day.  So splurge a little and look the part!

Tip #4:  Fashion meets Newlyweds to be.  Equally important to getting dolled up is to make sure that you dress the part!  Photographers usually will let you have at least two outfit changes so I highly recommend that you consult with your significant other and really think about the look that you both want to portray for each location that you choose.  The difference between thoroughly thought out outfits and just grabbing outfits for a photo shoot is tremendous so make sure that you think through how you want the photos to turn out and plan accordingly with your outfits.

Tip #5:  Loosen up, have fun and trust your photographer! Above all, the engagement session is all about you as a couple so have fun with it.  Don’t be nervous in taking photos as it is a guaranteed time to have fun!  Trust your photographer; you did pick them for a reason so let them guide you through the day in posing for shots and have fun.  The more comfortable you are, the better your photos will turn out so if you need to take a time out to be silly to get to that place of comfort, then take all the time outs you need!

Hope these tips will help you have the best engagement session that you can possibly have!  Cheers to extraordinary and stunning photos!

Photo Credits:  Photo 1 – Vivian Sachs Photography, Photo 2 – Joielala Photographie, Photo 3 – Michelle King Photography, Photo 4:  Gladys Jem Photography, Photo 5:  Vivian Sachs Photography, Photo 6 – Mike Larson, Inc., Photo 7 – Akira Image , Photo 8 – Taken By Light Photography

Ryan and Cat went on an adventure in Half Moon Bay, CA for their engagement shoot and brought along their dearly loved cat, Chou!  They love Chou so much that she was actually their recurring theme/mascot for their wedding design!

The day before the wedding, we coordinated a Welcome Dinner at Germaine’s Luau for all of their guests that have come in from all over the World.  It was a wonderful time for everyone to have a little fun, get to know each other, and spend some time together before the wedding day.  Here is the view of Germaine’s Luau:

Here is a shot of our Bride and Groom, Ryan and Cat, having fun as well as a couple shots of Ivy and I at the Luau!  Ryan was actually chosen to go on stage and compete in a hula competition for the title of being Mr. Aloha.  He was runner-up for the title but our group was so proud of him and cheered him on from beginning to end.  In our minds, he was definitely the winner of the night!

Here are some getting ready shots on the actual Wedding Day the next morning.  The girls set up all the dresses for the photographer to capture and don’t even get me started on how gorgeous the floral design was from Designs by Hemingway, I was floored by how beautiful the bouquets were!

Here are some fun details of the wedding day, can’t wait for the photos from Ammie Wang!  They’re going to be amazing!

On a closing note, we had an amazing time in Hawaii.  On this trip alone, we drove the island from North to South, East to West and after visiting Oahu six times now, I always still find something new to fall in love with about Hawaii.  So in bidding Oahu, Honolulu and Waikiki adieu, I leave you with some scrumptious photos of the best banana nut macadamia pancakes and Hawaiian fried rice from Boots and Kimos .

Happy Friday everyone!  Thank you for following us on our amazing destination wedding journey and when we get the official photos from Ammie, we will be sure to share them with you!

Happy Friday everyone!