Getting Ready for a Beach Engagement Session
Beach engagement photos can be incredibly romantic, effortless, and timeless—but the beach plays by its own rules. Here are a few tried and true tips backed by over a decade of photographing on beaches everywhere from Chicago to South Carolina to Florida to the Caribbean….we’ve seen it all and are here to help you be camera ready, even on a windswept shoreline!
Embrace a Little Movement
Wind is often part of the experience, but we can make that work for us! Flowing dresses, linen, loose sleeves, slightly tousled hair, and fabrics that move beautifully can look incredible. Rather than choosing something that requires every hair to stay perfectly in place, choose a look that can handle a little breeze and still feel intentional. If your hair tends to react dramatically to humidity, this is also a great occasion for professional hair and makeup or a hairstyle that works with the weather rather than against it.
Choose Beach-Friendly Shoes
You may spend quite a bit of the session barefoot. If we’re starting somewhere other than directly on the sand, bring shoes that are easy to slip on and off. Very thin stilettos usually aren’t worth fighting with in sand or dunes, and if we’re walking to a more secluded stretch of beach, comfortable sandals for the walk can save your beautiful shoes—and your feet.
Consider the Color of the Location
For beach engagement photos, I especially love colors inspired by the environment: cream, white, tan, sandy beige, pale blue, muted green, soft blush, navy, caramel, and other natural tones. Some additional ideas….
- A gorgeous flowing dress can be especially beautiful against the movement of the water.
- Linen attire feels effortless and has the added benefit of being breezy in hot temps.
- A fun swim wear and cover up set – maybe even a fun resort-ready hat – can feel chic and playful.
- Lean into an East Coast vibe and go for a Ralph Lauren inspired classic Americana style.
- Love color? Bring out your favorite resort wear – maybe even a tropical floral bouquet – and have fun with things!
The sky is the limit when it comes to planning a session that truly reflects your aesthetic as a couple.
Expect a Little Sand and Water
We don’t have to go running into the ocean unless you want to—but the couples who are willing to get slightly adventurous usually end up with some of my favorite photographs. The bottom of a dress may get sandy. Your feet absolutely will. Your hair might get windblown. And we may end the session with our feet in the water. That’s part of the magic of shooting on the beach – but it can also pose a challenge. If you’re bringing two outfits, I usually recommend saving anything you’re especially worried about keeping pristine for earlier in the session, and ending with an outfit you’re ok getting a little more free-spirited in.
Timing Matters
For most beach sessions, that glowing light shortly before sunset is absolutely beautiful. Depending on the beach and the direction it faces, sunrise can be incredible as well—and sometimes gives us a quieter stretch of shoreline. We’ll choose timing based on the location, season, light, weather, and the overall look we’re hoping to create.
Give Your Engagement Ring(s) a Little Love
We will absolutely be photographing that ring, so give it a quick cleaning before your session. It doesn’t need anything complicated—a professional cleaning at your jeweler beforehand is lovely if it’s convenient, but even making sure it is free of lotion, fingerprints, and everyday buildup can make a difference in those close-up photographs. In a pinch, a baby toothbrush and simple hot water work wonders to shine things up.
Don’t Forget Your Hands
Because your engagement ring will naturally bring some attention to your hands, many brides (and grooms, too!) choose to have a manicure before the session. It certainly isn’t required, but it is recommended to make sure nails look clean and well kept – for everyone in the photo shoot (grooms and brides alike).
Hair & Makeup: You Should Still Look Like Yourself
Your engagement session is not the time to suddenly become someone completely different. While I usually recommend wearing slightly more makeup than you might on an ordinary day and setting everything with a good setting spray, simply because professional photographs and distance can soften it, you should still recognize yourself and feel like you in your photos. That said, your engagement session can also be a great opportunity to schedule your bridal hair or makeup trial. You get to see how everything photographs and wears in a real setting.
Consider Renting Instead of Buying
Can’t find the perfect dress—or don’t want to spend hundreds (or thousands) of dollars on something you may only wear once?
Rental companies such as Rent the Runway and Nuuly can be a great way to borrow something a little more special for your session.You can also look at your engagement session as an excuse to invest in one piece you genuinely love and will wear again for your shower or honeymoon. Engagement photos are always better when you’re wearing something you feel fantastic in rather than something you bought because Pinterest told you it was “engagement-photo appropriate.”
A Few Things to Do Before You Leave the House
A tiny bit of preparation goes a long way:
- Clean your engagement ring.
- Steam or iron your outfits.
- Remove tags, hair ties from wrists, and anything bulky from your pockets.
- Leave you Apple watch at home or on the hotel nightstand – I promise you don’t want it in photos!
- Try on the entire outfit beforehand—including undergarments and shoes. You don’t want to show up day of and realize something major was forgotten or doesn’t fit.
- Bring touch-up makeup, especially lipstick or gloss.
- Bring a brush or comb if your hair needs one, and even some anti-frizz hairspray to smooth things out.
- If we’re going somewhere breezy, bring a few bobby pins or hair ties just in case.
- Bring comfortable shoes if we’ll be walking between locations.
- If you don’t want to sit on the ground or in the sand, bring a coordinating beach blanket to sit on – when in doubt, I think a cream or ivory blanket with a little texture always looks good.
- Leave yourself extra time so you aren’t arriving rushed.
- And if you’re planning Champagne or wine…don’t forget the glasses or a wine opener if you need one. 😉
Most Importantly: Don’t Worry About Knowing What to Do
One of the most common things I hear at the beginning of engagement sessions is:
“We’re really awkward in photos.”
But I can’t wait to show you how wrong you are when you work with a professional you trust!
You do not need to practice poses. You do not need to know where to put your hands. And you definitely don’t need to spend the week before your session studying couples on Pinterest and trying to memorize what they did. I’ll guide you when you need guidance and give you space when you don’t. We’ll walk, talk, laugh, move, explore, and create photographs that include both the beautiful portraits your parents will want to frame and all of those little candid moments in between. Your only real assignment is to show up ready to spend some time together.
And Please Ask Me for Help!
If you’re staring at two dresses on your bed the night before your session and can’t decide, send me a photo (for my clients – you have my number + can always text me!), or bring them both! If you’re debating between locations, send them over.If you have an idea that sounds slightly crazy but also kind of amazing, I definitely want to hear it.Your engagement session should feel like one of the fun parts of wedding planning—not another thing you have to get exactly right.
Come as yourselves & I’ll take care of the rest.
xo,
Rachael
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