Engagement photos are a great way to get to know your photographer

If you haven't thought getting your engagement portrait done was important, you might consider a couple of things. First, you get to know your photographer - you become more comfortable with your photographer and as a result your wedding day portraits are better. As well, you photographer gets to know you and can figure out how to communicate with you on a more personal level - which again results in better wedding day photography. As well, one new idea is to have your engagement photo mounted with an oversized matt which is used as a "guest-book" at your reception - people love signing it and you have a great memento of your wedding day. And, if the photographer doesn't offer to shoot your engagement photo as part of the package - if you ask he or she will probably throw it in just to get your wedding (it certainly never hurts to ask.) One last thing with engagement portraits, if you're unhappy with your photographer at that point - it gives you enough time to find someone else.

Clothing can make the shoot when getting a family portrait done. The best group portraits have eveyone wearing the same or similar colours. Solid colours are best for groups or individuals as paterns take attention away from the face(s). As for specific colours, medium toned colours in blues or greens work well. Dark colours and black are okay. White isn't bad but unless the light is soft like an overcast day, in the shade or in the studio, white can wash out in the prints. Long sleeves are better, but if you have to wear sleaveless - make sure you don't have an uneven tan on the arms such as a "farmer's tan."

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Looking "hand"some

Lets talk some more about posing - specifically hands. You've seen the pictures, people standing around, hands clasped in front of them like they're ten minutes late to go the bathroom. Some photographers prefer this to people "with sticks at their sides." Known as the "fig leaf" pose, it does give you something to do with your hands. It seems hands are one of our most dificult things to figure out what to do with when in front of a camera. I personally find that just letting them hand at your side, elbow ever so slightly bent and hand turned so the thumb is towards the camera looks far better than the "waiting for the bathroom" look.

Make a loose fist, then let it relax. Turn your hand so the camera sees the thumb first, and bend your elbow just enough so that your arm isn't totally straight. You'll look very open and sure of yourself.

Slightly more relaxed is hooking your thumb into your pocket or into your belt. If you put your hand in a pocket, leave the thumb out.

Crossing your arms makes you look closed off, aloof, maybe even nervous. And putting your hands behind your back looks like you have no arms.

For a couple, the guy can stand with thumbs hooked over his belt and the girl can wrap her hands around one of his arms, then lean slightly into him. Very classic look.

If your hand is above your elbow, bend the hand slightly at the wrist, then let the fingers drop down in a relaxed manner.

If you have a prop to hang onto, that's fine too - just relax your hold, don't strangle the poor prop.

To see some pictures with people just letting their hands relaxed at their sides and holding props (usually flowers) check out my wedding portfolio.

A site for planning your wedding

WedNet.com offeres a good range of resources and content for wedding planning.

Posing for the intimidated

A quick and simple way pose effectively for your portrait or wedding photos is to lean towards the camera. This helps stretch out your body and reduce double chins. Even fairly thin people get double chins when they lean away from the camera. To get more effective posing, push your face towards the photographer - this can feel strange but works well at making you look younger and take off visual pounds.