Smoky Mountain Engagement Photos

A Complete Guide For Beautiful Engagement Photos

Smoky Mountain Engagement photos are iconic. You’ve got mountain views, waterfalls, meadows, wildflowers, fireflies… I could go on and on. The Great Smoky Mountains are overflowing with amazing spots for engagement photos. To get the most out of your engagement session, follow these tips (you’ll be so happy you did!)

About my Engagement Sessions

An engagement session is a couple’s portrait photography session celebrating this very special time in your life!

Typically, engagement sessions are casual and give us a chance to get to know one another without all the pressure of the wedding day. They usually take about 1 hour (depending on location and if there is a hike involved!) and are so much fun!

Since the engagement session will be your first time in front of my camera, I want to help you feel relaxed and as prepared as possible.

Your engagement photos will showcase you and your real love, so I want you to be confident and excited about your session!

That is why I am answering my couple’s top 10 most frequently asked questions about their smoky mountain engagement photos. I’m always here to help with recommendations or ideas if you need them, too. Just reach out 🙂

Here are my top 10 Tips for Amazing Engagement Photos

ONE | COMFORT IS KING

While shopping for a brand new outfit is something fun and exciting my clients love to dofor their engagement sessions, I always emphasize how important it is for their outfits to be comfortable. If you do decide to get everything brand new (and really, who can blame you!?), make sure you wear it at least once before your shoot to make sure it fits and feels great.
This is especially important for things like shoes, which can cause all kinds of problems if they aren’t broken in properly!

TWO | DON’T LEAVE FIDO AT HOME

If the location allows, I love seeing my couples bring their sweet pups! A few things to consider before bringing your furbaby is that they need to be super well behaved (or have someone there to watch them while we finish your session.) Also make sure that, if we are planning a hike, that your pooch can handle the adventure! Other than that, pups are a great addition to your engagement photos! If you want them there, let’s make that happen!

THREE | PREPARE THE DAY BEFORE

Take some time the day before your shoot to get everything together, cleaned, ironed, and steamed! Make sure your accessories are in one place, any wrinkles in your clothingare history, and any stains/spots are busted well before the shoot. I’ll remind you that your session is coming up a few days beforehand, so you’ll have plenty of time and no excuses to be well prepared. Being relaxed before your session is key to beautiful, natural engagement photos.

FOUR | DON’T SKIP ON THE HAIR AND MAKEUP

Ladies, this is a big one! I always tell my clients to think very seriously about having hair and makeup professionally styled for their engagement photos. This is a once-in-a-lifetime moment for you. Hiring a professional will ensure you look your absolute best on camera.

FIVE | WEAR COMPLIMENTARY OUTFITS

I recommend that my couples wear outfits which complement each other rather than match. What does that mean? Well, try not to wear the exact same colors (you aren’t twins!), but do pick colors that go well together. Match each other’s outfit in terms of formality rather than literal colors and patterns. If one person is wearing a bright, bold pattern, it might be a good idea for the other to wear something a little more toned down and neutral! Don’t forget, you can alway text me the pictures of your outfit ideas, I am happy to help!

SIX | ACCESS TO MY CLIENT CLOSET

I have curated some insanely gorgeous gowns for my brides to wear for engagement photos. Take a look at my Instagram stories to see if there is something you would like to wear. There is an additional flat rate of $50 if you choose to wear one of these beautiful gowns. Smoky Mountain engagement photos look literally epic in my flowly gowns, so check them out!

SEVEN | ACCESSORIZE!

Accessorizing is fun, looks amazing on camera, and is highly encouraged. Ladies – go for it! Hats, belts, scarves, necklaces, hair scarves, earrings, rings – bring it on! For the guys, try to avoidtechnology accessories (I can’t tell you how many times a smartwatch has ruined a beautiful image) but don’t be afraid to try some fun socks, fun shoes, neckties, or suspenders!

EIGHT | LONG & FLOWY = ROMANTIC

If you’re looking for a dreamy, romantic look in your images, I highly suggest choosing an outfit that’s long and flowy. Look for long, romantic dresses or flowy skirts in chiffon fabric that catch the breeze and the light. Especially if you are wanting smoky mountains as the backdrop of your engagement session or pictures on an epic cliff… long and flowy dresses are a must!

NINE | JUST BE YOU

Everyone loves differently. Your engagement photos should capture you and your unique love. They should feel like you. You don’t have to try to look a certain way or match what your friends did for their engagement sessions or what you’ve seen on Pinterest. Just be yourself! Your love is beautiful and worth capturing.

TEN | RELAX!

Sounds simple, doesn’t it? Yet so many of my couples get worried about whether they need to know how to pose, find the right backdrop, turn into the light a certain way. Well I’ve said it many times and I’ll say it again, RELAX! Those things are all my job! All you have to do is show up looking fabulous, and I’ll take care of the rest. Promise!

Ready for some insanely amazing Smoky Mountain Engagement Photos!?

I am up for it all! Whether you want an easy location with minimal to no hiking, an adventurous session 5 miles out, or a waterfall session where we get mildly drenched (I’ve driven 1 hour home, completely pantless, because I want those epic shots for you, even if that means getting wet and dirty!) Let’s do this! I want your engagement session to be perfectly and uniquely you.