Wedding Day Advice | Wedding Planning

Engagement photo shoots have grown in popularity in recent years; couples now are putting a lot of time, effort and planning into their photos and are choosing themes that focus on their interests and what reflects their uniqueness as a couple. After all, a married couple will want to look back at their photos and not just see a perfectly posed portrait, but a reflection of their life together.

Here are some of the most popular themes that brides are choosing-

1. Playing With Props

Playing with props is a great wayto add individuality to an engagement photo shoot. You will not only add visual interest to your photos, but it is also a great ice breaker if you tend to freeze up in front of a camera.

Vintage Inspired: You could bring along some items such as 1940’s luggage, picnic sets, a portable typewriter or even granny’s old English tea set for that vintage inspired feel

Balloons are fun to have as props, not only do they add a sense of celebration to the photo shoot, but they are a very strong design element, so they look will fab in the photos.

Bubbles: You could have a little fun with blowing bubbles, once again a great ice-breaker in the presence of a photographer. For more of a dramatic effect, try a bubble machine.

Humorous Props: For more of a humorous photo shoot, try using MDF cutouts of signs, speech bubbles or humorous add-on’s such as moustaches, big lips etc.

2. On location

Some Place Special: If you have a place that is special to the both of you- perhaps where your fiancé proposed or a café that you both love and frequent- having your engagement photo shoot there will add so much more meaning to your photos.

Architectural interest: Nothing says romance quite like Paris ‘The city of love’, with the Eifel tower as a spectacular backdrop to your photos. If Paris is a little out of reach (especially considering you are planning a wedding), then a photo shoot with your home city skyline as a backdrop will be just as affective and probably more sentimental.

3. Themed photo shoot

Carnival or Circus Theme: Nothing say fun quite like a carnival themed photo shoot, you can literally go crazy here, as there are so many props to include like pinwheels, sweets and chocolate, a popcorn and popcorn machine and about every brand of bottled cool drink you can think of!

Whimsically Romantic Theme: To be whimsical is to be ever-changing, playful, light-natured and dream-like. Add a touch of whimsy to your photo shoot by introducing unique and playful elements such as bubbles, feathers or angel wings.

Alice in Wonderland is a perfect example of whimsy, should you need to take inspiration from somewhere.

You should also make a note to tell your photographer, as this theme can be further enhanced by specific lighting and colour effects on the final photos.

Special Holiday Theme: Arrange for your photo shoot to be taken on special annual holidays, like Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and of course the most romantic day of the year, Valentine’s Day. Once again, props are key here to set the scene

4. Take inspiration from a Famous Movie

Movies these days have fantastic graphic elements and an endless supply of visual inspiration for a movie themed photo shoot, for example the long flowing blood red cape from Red Riding Hood, would look stunning in a photo shoot

Or the quirky but whimsical elements of Alice in Wonderland

Other examples of great movie themes ideas include-

• The Notebook
• Moulin Rouge
• Water for elephants
• Twilight
• Willy Wonka
• Black Swan

5. The Great Outdoors Photo shoot

If you love the great outdoors, then why not have a camping inspired engagement photo shoot

Or perhaps give hot air ballooning a try-

For the more extreme couples, how about an underwater photo shoot. Obviously specialised underwater equipment will be needed here, but the results will be fabulous.

Even though the themes mention here are generic, it is all about the interpretation of the themes that makes the photo shoot unique to each couple. So whatever setting is eventually chosen, try to make the photo shoot as personal to you as possible. Happy planning.