Congratulations, you're engaged! If your wedding date is set far into the future, you just might be hankering to take some portraits of you and your spouse-to-be. Here are ideas for locations, activities, and extra touches to add to your engagement portrait session.

SET THE STAGE: PICKING A LOCATION

An engagement session location needn't be exotic or expensive to create excellent portraits and lend a bit of lightness to the mood. Here are some suggestions for cheap (if not free) possible locations. Keep in mind that you (or your photographer) may need to contact the venue or location in order to obtain permission to take photographs, and pay any applicable fees. Do your research: planning ahead is key!

• arts center - making great art and looking at great art all at once!
• restaurant - pick a visually interesting food or dessert; something with elaborate stacking or succulent fruit?
• coffee shop - perhaps the one at which the two of you met, even!
• college campus - these tend to be well-groomed and thus are beautiful almost year-round
• grocery store - keep the speed of the grocery-cart races to a safe level!
• at home - show off the personality of your home décor
• retail windows - fun and whimsical things can provide a commentary on personalities
• in the mall - enjoy some ice cream, play by a fountain or perhaps a lighted atrium makes a nice backdrop
• library - have a little word-nerd love-in!
• courthouse - stately buildings, fine architecture
• hotel lobby - or, if you're in a romantic mood, rent a hotel room and make a night of it
• state park - nearly always free, and nearly always beautiful!
• nearby field - don't overlook nooks and crannies in between buildings for some nice undergrowth
• beach - if, of course, these are nearby!
• highway underpass - the abandoned and gritty feel of concrete can be sexy
• hair salon - get your 'do fixed and get some awesome pix!
• laundromat - you can "pretend" to spy on each other while washing your unmentionables!
• brewery - if you have a favorite brew, or know a brewery nearby, see if they'll let you take a tour together!

Ask your photographer for location suggestions if you're stumped. More often than not they've been scouting location ideas for future sessions or other projects, and may have a few fabulous tricks up their sleeve!

MAKE IT ACTIVE: DO AN ACTIVITY

Having an activity to do while you're being photographed can help get those candid, relaxed moments that you like to capture. It puts you at ease and gives you something to enjoy or joke about with your loved one.

• kite flying
• cooking or baking together
• picnic
• board games
• bowling
• skiing/sledding/snowboarding
• rock or mountain-climbing
• bikeriding or wearing rollerblades
• reading your favorite magazine/book together
• play music/instruments
• fingerpaint, draw, or paint a wall

Of course, some of these are outdoorsy/messy, so be sure to have a few costume changes planned!

MAKE IT FUN: ADDING TOUCHES

Using props can be another way to add action or something interesting to a photograph. Something unusual, or using something everyday in an unusual way, can make the photograph intriguing, and add personality.

• giant lollipops - a sugar rush to give you the energy you need!
• antique/vintage jewelry - show off an heirloom you connect with emotionally
• glass drinking bottles - these lend a nice old-fashioned feel
• slurpees - stick out your colored-tongues!
• wine/champagne - make it dramatic and let it explode!
• flourescent/plastic jewelry - hitting up the dollar store can be fun!
• gag toys - fake moustaches, funny-looking glasses, etc.
• silly straws - just what you need for your milkshake
• masks and/or costumes - animals, crowns, celebrities, villains, superheros, etc.
• balloons - oversize, or a large bunch, can be dramatic on a windy day; maybe even try popping them!

Oh, and always remember to enjoy yourselves and relax!

E-mail me if you have an idea you'd like to share, too! I love hearing them.