We know you have seen them scrolling through Instagram before bed another beautiful engagement shoot. Some are candid and captured at the moment and some are planned in advance. Oftentimes these photos are the way couples choose to break the news to their closest friends and family and after the initial excitement for the upcoming wedding passes these photos become keepsakes to frame and remissness on through the years.So how do you go from booking your photographer to capturing the perfect amount of love and realness mixed with a polished look at the two of you in a frame able photo to keep for years to come? Well, you are in luck because that is where top-rated photographer Leah Moyers comes into play with some sage advice to help you get the absolute best photos engagement possible.

Here are just a few simple behind-the-scenes tips and tricks from Leah, an experienced photographer that happened to capture some lovely photos of one of my Memory Lane Events couples Lauren & Sean this weekend in Gatlinburg Tennessee.

Get Comfortable- It might sound too simple to be true but one of the first things you can do to prepare for your engagement shoot is to get comfortable with your photographer. Going into the shoot after meeting up for coffee or even a zoom call just to talk through the shoot and how it will go will make you develop more trust with your chosen photographer on the day of the shoot. When you meet for the shoot it’s also good to remember to bring a change of shoes if you are wearing heels and a sweater to keep warm in between shots if the weather is cool or light layers depending on the time of year. One accessory you should leave in the car however is a phone. Leah says they end up in your pockets and in all of the photos typically if not and don’t always look the most flattering.

Dress to impress- This brings us to our next piece of advice when preparing what to wear for your shoot. Every couple is different and this does not exclude fashion choices. Leah says the most important thing you can wear is something you feel comfortable in and your absolute best in. If you tend to be a more casual person you should opt for nice jeans and a cute top. If you love to dress up maybe try a sundress and heels you can easily walk with ( bring some flip flops to wear in between shots). Leah says whatever you decide to wear make sure it’s close to what you typically wear for a night out or date night that way you look and feel relaxed in your photos. Sometimes layering with a sweater or jacket is nice to switch up the look a bit in between shots. Often times scheduling your hair and makeup trial for the same day as your shoot will help you knock out two birds with one stone and have a more polished look for those photos.

Invite Only- Who should come to the shoot will really depend again on your comfort level. Leah suggests keeping the guest list just for you and your fiance so that you get a moment to connect with your photographer before the big day. If you do end up bringing someone to the shoot make sure it is someone that will not give you a hard time or take any of the focus off of you all. Often times with these types of photos the poses and looks can get more intimate than a typical photoshoot so make sure you feel secure with whoever might be watching you shoot. Leah also suggests furry friends can help to break up the nerves and capture joy and spontaneity in the photos.

Practice Makes Perfect- Remember these shoots are a great way to get comfortable being photographed by your photographer so that when your big day comes you feel less stiff and awkward because you already have a good idea of how it will go. You get to see which poses and expressions work and which you want to fine-tune before the big day and you come away with some great photos to use for your save the dates, engagement announcements or even to hang in your home. Whether you opt to do a full-on shoot or just a mini session to capture a few pictures the pressure that is taken off of you on the big deal with all of the uncertainty is certainly worth the investment.

Location, Location, Location: I am sure you have heard the common real estate saying that location is everything. Well, this rings true in choosing the perfect place to take your engagement photos as well. Use your photographer’s knowledge on the best lighting and time of day or night for the session. But listen to your partner and your own comfort level with crowds when selecting where to shoot. For example, if you are very shy and not totally comfortable being photographed maybe opt for a less crowded area like a trail for a hike or even the privacy of your own home. If you are used to taking photos together and want to share your love with the world may be a park or local tourist attraction is a better fit. Whatever the case share this with your photographer and they can help recommend a spot.

By following this simple and straightforward advice and listening to each other I know you will come away with photos you can enjoy looking back on for years to come. Remember to stay true to yourself and your partner and keep your photographer in the loop with any worries or concerns. Sometimes a simple conversation prior to the shoot is all you need to settle those nerves and come away with picture-perfect images to last a lifetime.

If you are looking for an excellent photographer in the Smokey Mountains reach out to Leah Moyers at hellolove@leahmoyers.com

If you are interested in booking Memory Lane Events for destination wedding planning packages reach out to us at memorylane411@gmail.com