The Complete Guide to Spring Engagement Photos in Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge Wedding Photographer and Videographer
Spring engagement photos are popular for a good reason. While love may keep us warm during fall and winter, upcoming spring engagement sessions hold the promise of something to look forward to. Spring comes with sunshine, blooming florals, and bright colors in every outdoor space—plus, you'll have way more flexibility when it comes to your outfits and photoshoot location.
Ahead, photographer Kim-Trang Blair shares her expertise on taking spring engagement photos, including what to wear, the pros and cons of the season, and photo inspiration.
The Complete Guide to Spring Engagement Photos
Spring engagement photos are popular for a good reason. While love may keep us warm during fall and winter, upcoming spring engagement sessions hold the promise of something to look forward to. Spring comes with sunshine, blooming florals, and bright colors in every outdoor space—plus, you'll have way more flexibility when it comes to your outfits and photoshoot location.
Ahead, photographer Kim-Trang Blair shares her expertise on taking spring engagement photos, including what to wear, the pros and cons of the season, and photo inspiration.
What to Wear for Spring Engagement Photos
Overall, couples should wear something they feel like themselves is in. Confidence is key! “My whole thing is I want to capture them in what they’re comfortable in but also represents them," offers Blair. "Usually a go-to, like a dress or jumpsuit, in spring is always nice. It has to fit and fit well. Just a size too big or too small will show in photos.” Light chiffons or lace are nice for women, and she discourages jersey fabrics because they’re not forgiving, which can translate to unflattering photos. She adds, “Dressing in layers could be beneficial because of fluctuating temperatures in spring."
She also shares it’s important to keep your geographical area in mind: What you wear for spring engagement photos may be location-dependent, to an extent. For instance, spring’s temperatures in the north, like in Boston, fluctuate more than in a city like San Diego.
Discuss outfits with your photographer after you nail down a location for your spring engagement photos.
Consider color for spring. Wear hues that complement the joy you’re feeling and reflect the season, yet be aware of your surroundings. And, she says, avoid green! “When it comes to outfits and surroundings, if people want an outdoorsy vibe, green garments surrounded by green grass and trees don't look great. It doesn’t make the image dynamic.” Go with a contrasting color like pink or red in a grassy area.
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Pros and Cons of Spring Engagement Photos
All seasons present different pros and cons when it comes to engagement photos, but spring's biggest advantage is the abundance of flowers. “A spring shoot is great for a couple who is sensitive to the heat, who loves flowers, and who want a different look for their engagement shoot than their wedding in an opposite season,” says Blair.
But Mother Nature can also be fickle. The potential is there for engagement photo sessions to be snowed out in the north during spring. Prepare for weather to be unpredictable and flowers uncertain.
“Couples, in general, depending on what blooms they’re going for, need to be realistic about a spring engagement session. For example, cherry blossoms sometimes bloom at the end of March—but sometimes it’s mid-April. In this case, they need to be flexible for their photoshoot date. I recommend potentially booking two dates if your photographer agrees to it—a first choice and backup—to maximize your options,” advises Blair.
Be aware that rain is abundant in many areas during spring. This may mean booking an indoor location for your photos as a backup, just in case it rains, and you can’t alter your photo session date.
Spring Engagement Photo Tips
FERNELIS LAJARA / EYEEM / GETTY IMAGES
Blair says to think about the location you wish to have an engagement session when considering spring. “There’s minimal green space in New York City, but it’s well taken care of. Washington Square Park, for example, always promises to have something in bloom during spring thanks to the workers who care for the plants in the park.”
If you live in an area that has flowering trees, you may wish to schedule a session within a park that has an abundance of them. Botanical gardens are great for this, but you should inquire ahead of time about whether or not a photography permit is required to take photos there.
If you think that it may rain during your session and you have to proceed with the photoshoot, arrive prepared with cute umbrellas for photos. Lean into the rain—it could result in a rainbow!
If leaves aren’t on trees yet and no flowers are around, try to take your engagement photos where there is interesting architecture in the background. Or, if you’re on a coast, consider a beach where there’s consistently sand and water, no matter the time of year. Evergreen trees and desert plant life (including cacti and succulents!) are green year-round, depending on your location. And neutral-toned long grasses in expansive fields are romantic, too.
Everything You Need to Know About Engagement Photos
Ahead, more inspiration and tips for spring engagement photos, including photos from real couples.
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Look for a Flower Field
Texans await the blooming of bluebonnets each spring. They typically bloom in March and April and are around for a few short weeks. Above, the bride’s top mimics the petals of spring flowers, and the white fabric pops against the colors of the flower field.
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Use Architecture to Your Advantage
This couple incorporated their heritage and local area into their spring engagement photos. The softness of spring is communicated through the pink architecture at the Ringling Museum in Sarasota, Florida, and also the ivory and pale yellow the bride and groom are wearing.
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Coordinate Colors
Rather than matching, aim to wear outfits that complement each other. Wear coordinated colors and don’t leave your attire to the last minute. Plan ahead of time in case you need to go shopping!
What to Wear for Engagement Photos
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Go With the Flow
If the temperature drops during your spring engagement session, help each other warm up. A simple gesture of love and kindness from this groom to his fiancée made for a candid, fun photo.
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Use the Warmth of Golden Hour
Images are given a glow when taken during golden hour, the hour just before sunset. It also instantly warms up the colors reflected on the lake at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco in this photo.
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Think Outside Your Geographical Location
This couple chose to do a destination engagement session away from home in the Pacific Northwest. Their photographer was on board with the idea, and the results are breathtaking.
Ask your photographer to extend your photo session beyond an hour to capture a multi-day adventure.
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Remember the Beauty a City Offers
Skyscrapers have beautiful reflective surfaces and add fun metallic colors to images no matter the season. And any outfit matches metallics! Pops of blues and greens in the background add interest but don’t overwhelm the couple.
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Bring the Outside Indoors
If you choose to take photos inside, like in your home, bring nature indoors. The pop of pink brought to the scene by these spring tulips is subtle yet effective.
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Be Mindful of When Cherry Blossoms Will Bloom
It’s not easy to predict when the pretty pink and white flowers of cherry blossom trees will bloom, but Mother Nature gives clues during winter. Reputable sites, like Cherry Blossom Watch, help predict peak forecasts each year.
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Utilize Layers
Not only can layering be practical with spring temperatures but it also means you have multiple looks for your engagement session. Taking a jacket on or off is a quick outfit change!
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Choose Floral Prints
Another way to proudly state that you took photos during spring, or remember the season decades down the road, is by wearing a fun floral print. It's also a beautiful way to add a pop of color to your outfit.
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Beat Beach Crowds
Summer months bring crowds to most beaches. One of the benefits of taking spring engagement photos on the beach is that you won’t have to worry about people getting in the way, whether in the background or your favorite spot on the shore.
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Keep Leafless Trees Blurry
You and your fiancé are the focus of your spring engagement photos. If you’re taking them in a location that has leafless trees, simply have a conversation with your photographer, who can easily blur the background, keeping those bare branches out of focus.
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Don’t Be Afraid to Get a Little Dusty
It was a great idea to have this couple sit in this grass field. It gives the image an entirely different feel and impact than if they were standing.
The more willing you are to try the situations and poses your photographer may direct you toward, the more variety you’ll have in your spring engagement photo gallery.
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Go Big or Go Home
Don’t shy away from something grandiose for your engagement photos, whether it is your attire or the architecture. This bride wore a stunning white gown for her engagement session in New York City, and the couple decided on photos at the New York Public Library for a grand impact.
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Choose a Meaningful Location
Something that never goes out of style or season is a location that is significant to you and your partner. This could be the college where you met or the neighborhood where you shared your first apartment, for instance.
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Find Middle Ground
Being quite literally within the middle ground—between the foreground and background of a frame like this couple is with a beautiful garden—enables spring to surround you. Let Marc Shaw Photography guide you and help show the best the season has to offer with this technique.
