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Seattle Engagement Photographer | 10 Tips from Luma Weddings

Seattle engagement photographer Luma Weddings at Rosario Beach, Anacortes, WA

When you’re looking for a Seattle engagement photographer, there are many things to consider. An in this blog, we’re going to cover some of those really important, key things.

The value in getting engagement photos
1. There are many ways where you can benefit from having an engagement session. The first and most obvious is practice in front of a camera before your wedding day. But that practice is going to be different with different photographers, so my highest recommendation is to hire the same photographer for your wedding day – even if you are local to the Greater Seattle area and having a destination wedding. There are countless Seattle engagement photographers who would be absolutely thrilled to photograph destination weddings. I am one of them!
2. Another common question is, “Can I book a Seattle engagement photographer just for that session before we finalize our wedding day details?” Well, the answer to that isn’t so black & white, but yes – you certainly can. That said, at the time of writing this blog post – I offer discounts on engagement sessions when booked with your wedding date.
3. You can also use your engagement photos in your save-the-dates, official wedding invitations, website registries, social media announcements, any newspaper announcements, your wedding guest book album (where your guests sign on your wedding day and say their words of congratulations and good lucks), and of course – you can use your engagement photos to simply have FUN with and to remember back on for years to come. It’s all part of the experience!
Hiring the right engagement photographer
1. The biggest thing that most people look for in a Seattle engagement photographer is the style of their photos. (Check out my portfolio). And yes, that’s even what we looked for (initially) of our very own photographer when Haley and I got engaged. But in reality, the importance of that decision is so much more than just style. After all, your engagement and wedding photographer is going to be there by your side on your wedding day more than any other vendor. Their personality is so crucial to the outcome of your photos! Think about it this way – is your photographer laid back or stiff and uncomfortable? Are they lively and part the celebration, or are they awkward and quiet? Are they egotistical, or level-headed? Are they funny or boring? Are they confident in their work and the outcome of your wedding day photos? These aren’t questions to ask your photographer, but as you inquire with them (or with me) – trust your gut with how your communication flows.
2. What’s their experience like? It’s easy to “fake” experience by posting on places like Instagram every day or two – but truly, how many engagement sessions and weddings have they photographed? Experience is an absolutely huge consideration. And in the realm of engagement and wedding photography – you get what you pay for. Personally, at the time of writing this post, I have been a full-time Seattle engagement photographer and wedding photographer for 10 years with now over 1,000 clients. I’ve seen it all and I’ve photographed in every possible weather condition.
3. And most importantly, look at their reviews. What do actual clients of theirs have to say about their engagement and wedding photos? Finding that blend of having fun & getting the photos they’ve always dreamed of is the perfect blend you’re looking for. At least, that’s what I highly recommend for you. Check out my reviews.
Choosing the right location
1. With the right photographer, they can lead you down with the best options for you. And I say this because with over a decade of experience, I have personally scouted and photographed at hundreds of locations around the Greater Seattle area, the Olympic Peninsula, the islands, and Eastern Washington. And since I’ve been to a ton of different locations over the years – and at every time of year (spring, summer, fall, winter), I know first-hand what photographs great – and just as importantly, what doesn’t. My advice to you is to pick a location that is relatively easy to get to, doesn’t require a hike, is away from tourists and locals alike to find some peace & privacy, and it meets the overall aesthetics that you’re wanting for your photos. So, are you wanting big city buildings, water, sky, trees, beach, driftwood, wheat fields, mountains, or something else? Really think about it, let your photographer know the aesthetic you’re wanting, and a professional photographer can lead you down the right path with their experience!
Choosing the right time of year / choosing your session date
1. In the Pacific Northwest, the weather is unpredictable. But from a photography perspective, clouds are your friend. Clouds make everyone and everything look pretty. It’s soft light, which is very romantic. So, if you are thinking about waiting until summer for a sunny engagement session, you could actually be missing out on some beautiful clouds for that soft light. Of course, rain can put a damper on things, but your photographer will be able to advise on what to do for their rain policy. But I’ve even scheduled mid-summer engagement sessions in the past where it gets down to 65 degrees and raining when the year prior was 90 degrees and sunny. So, don’t delay your engagement session just for the hopes of hot, sunny weather. In my opinion, it’s just not worth it. The PNW is gorgeous all year round! But one of my favorite times to photograph engagement sessions (personally speaking) is October. In particular, the 2nd-3rd week of October when the trees are turning orange!
Choosing the right time of day
1. This totally depends on the time of year! Sometimes morning can be best, sometimes it’s the evening during golden hour… and other times… it honestly doesn’t even matter! It also really heavily depends on the location. Trust in your photographer to lead you with the right advice.
Figuring out your outfits
1. Play up your personality and dress up! You can never be too over-dressed, but you can certainly be under-dressed. I typically suggest to my couples to dress up like a Nordstrom or J-Crew catalog. That way, it’s dressed up, but also casual as well! And the light & flowy dresses never hurt. Just have a look through the engagement photos below to get an idea of what I’m referring to.
Hair & makeup
1. It’s a good time to do your hair & makeup trial with your wedding stylist! But if it doesn’t work out like that, just keep your hair & makeup simple and understated. It’s gorgeous. No need to get all super styled like your wedding day.
Getting there on time
1. Timing is so so so important. So, get there early. I typically recommend to get there about 30 minutes before hand to settle in, freshen up, and break the ice with your photographer. Have fun with it! Just don’t be late. Plan for traffic and if you don’t hit any – awesome!
Having the right attitude & trusting in your engagement photographer
1. Trust is paramount to literally everything. If you can’t trust your photographer, don’t hire them. If you can, then let them take the lead and guide you to capturing those engagement and wedding photos that you have always dreamed of.
Where and how to get the most out of your photos from your engagement session
1. Use them as your save-the-dates, invitations, website registries, social media announcements, LinkedIn headshots, practice for your wedding day, artwork in your home, artwork and guest albums for your wedding day, and so many other useful things! It’s not just photos for the sake of photos. There’s loads of value in having an engagement session. So if you’re engaged and you’re looking for a Seattle engagement photographer, contact me! I want to be there for you.