Getting Married? Congrats and welcome!!!

You’ve found the Kivus & Camera engagement photo guide!

1. Soak it in

You. Are. Engaged.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

2. Get ready

with answers to some engagement photo Qs

3. And be inspired

by some of our featured engagement photo sessions

two women walk hand in hand in ankle deep water.

First, soak it in

This is a unique phase of your life that often only lasts for a year or two. Don’t get so focused on the wedding part that you forget to have fun with the engaged part!

Engagement photos are one of the most fun things about being engaged. I’m going to let you in on a little secret. An engagement session is basically a date. It is, first and foremost, an excuse to have lots of fun together like you already do. I’ll just be taking pictures while you do that.

Keep reading for more great tips from our engagement photo guide.

Next, get your engagement photo session questions answered

Definitely! For a couple reasons.

First, how many professional pictures do you have with one another? Yes, you’ll have wedding photos, but it’s nice to have professional photos in other settings and outfits.

Second, and pretty importantly, an engagement photo session is a great opportunity to get comfortable working with me before the wedding day. You’ll learn posing techniques, realize you aren’t as awkward as you may think you are, and get a feel for how I operate. We’ve been told by plenty of couples that having an engagement session made the wedding day less stressful, since the portraits on the wedding day were totally fun and easy.

If you plan on using engagement photos for your Save the Dates and/or invitations, factor in how long it will take to design, order, and mail those. Schedule your engagement session at least a month before that deadline.

For time of day, the most sought after light will be in the hour or 2 before sunset or after sunrise. I also really like blue hour (right after sunset) for dramatic images.

Kivus & Camera engagement sessions are typically around 90 minutes. Total photographing time is impacted by location(s) and whether you want to incorporate any outfit changes

Whatever makes you feel confident and comfortable. Seriously. I can offer suggestions beyond that if you’d like, but I want your engagement photos to represent you. If that means a t-shirt and jeans, awesome! If that means suit and tie and/or glam dress, awesome! I do recommend coordinating with one another though. One person in a tuxedo and the other in a football jersey would be funny for a couple photos, but not the whole session.

Two small notes: (1) certain tight patterns can create a distracting effect called moire, so just something to consider and (2) certain colors might reflect a color cast back onto your skin, so if you have pinkish/red undertones that you do NOT want to enhance, I’d avoid red. Same thing with yellow/green. Definitely doesn’t mean you can’t wear those colors, just be aware.

You’ll get a few previews the same week! Then within 2-3 weeks after your engagement photo session, you’ll get a link to your online gallery with the fully edited images. Through this gallery you can order prints and other products (including Save the Dates), but there’s no obligation to order anything. You’ll also be able to download the images for sharing and printing on your own.

So many people tell me some version of: we’re awkward, I’m not photogenic, I hate having my photo taken, etc. Probably 80% of the faces you see on this site and the Kivus & Camera socials said something along those lines when we first met. Feeling uncomfortable in front of the camera is NORMAL. That’s why you’re bringing in a professional (me). I’ll help you relax and feel comfortable. You’ll also help each other. Remember, it’s just a date and y’all have done that a million times.

So, act like yourselves and don’t hesitate to let me know how you’re feeling. I’m there for *YOU*. If you two are super lovey-dovey, we’ll get those photos. If you’re reserved, we’ll get those. If you’re goofy, we’ll get those. Easy as that.

Keep on scrolling 😉 There’s more to this engagement photo guide than FAQs

Everyone loves a listicle, right?

Some lists to help you decide on a location or two for your engagement photos.

These lists are by no means exhaustive, so don’t hesitate to come up with your own ideas. Every relationship is unique, and we want your engagement photos (and your wedding photos for that matter) to reflect what’s unique about you, your partner, and your relationship.

Without further ado, some location ideas:

Raleigh engagement photos with the skyline | photo by Kivus & Camera

Raleigh Engagement Photo Locations

Some classic spots in the City of Oaks for engagement photos.

offbeat engagement photo ideas from Kivus & Camera

Ideas for Offbeat Engagement Photos

Let’s do something fun and off the beaten path for your session!

Chapel Hill engagement photos on Franklin Street

Durham + Chapel Hill Engagement Photo Spots

Ideas for engagement photo sessions around the Triangle.

Get Inspired

Click on an image to check out a recent engagement photo session
offbeat engagement photo ideas from Kivus & Camera
Raleigh engagement photos at the warehouse district | Kivus & Camera
engagement photo guide - couple holding beer and laughing in front of a Lynwood Brewing Concern sign

Before you go, some other helpful links:


The Ultimate Raleigh Wedding Guide

Our Favorite Raleigh Wedding Vendors

How to Choose Your Wedding Photographer

Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer

We believe that love is bright and colorful. And love is FUN.


Your wedding photographs should be fun, bright, and colorful too. Kivus & Camera are Raleigh wedding photographers who create unforgettable, breath-taking photographs. Your photos will stand out from the crowd. Your wedding story will be cemented by beautiful, artistic portraits AND enthusiastic, genuine moments. Want to know more? Click below. Can’t wait to hear from you!

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