So far, I’ve given you tips for choosing the location for your engagement pictures, I’ve listed my favorite Colorado mountain locations, and I’ve given you a detailed set of style tips for engagement pictures. All of these come into play when you think about how to personalize your engagement pictures. I know you want your pictures to be unique and totally you. Nobody wants to stand around and stiffly recreate poses they found on Pinterest, trust me.

So here are a few more ideas to help you brainstorm ways to really personalize your engagement pictures:

Reenact your first date

Remember those butterflies from the first date? Going back to the place it all started will give you those jitters all over again in the best way. You’ll be so focused on that exciting feeling that you’ll forget all about that self-consciousness that comes with having your picture taken.

Go back to the place you met

This is the same idea as above! I am all about using nostalgia for some really meaningful photos.

Do your favorite activity together

I love giving people things to do while I take photos, because then all the focus goes on the activity and how they’re interacting with each other. There are so many possibilities! Do you love hiking? Take a little hike in the mountains for some epic views. Love swimming? Get silly in the water together! Do you go bowling every month? Take your photographer with you to your favorite bowling alley. Do you craft together? Come up with a fun craft you can work together on. Cook your favorite meal. Practice your dance moves. Take this opportunity to think outside the box.

Bring a prop related to one of your favorite activities

Maybe one of your favorite activities isn’t something that would be as easy to photograph. If you have a favorite sport like football or baseball, it probably wouldn’t make much sense for you to actually try to play. BUT you could bring along your baseball mitts, or a football with your wedding date scribbled on it. You could even still make the location someplace you do these activities together, even if you don’t actually do them or have the props.

Incorporate your favorite food

It sounds a little silly to involve food, I know. Not many people enjoy eating in front of the camera. But again, this gives you a little something to hold and do so that you’re not so focused on posing for the camera. It also allows you to think of lots of location ideas that might be unique to you. Do you have a favorite taco truck? Why not grab a couple of tacos there at the beginning of your session? You’ll satisfy your hunger and loosen up as you watch each other eat tacos. ;) Or maybe you have a favorite meal you make together at home. You could totally do an in-home session where you’re cooking together in the kitchen. There are so many cute ideas here. Just to name a few foods I’ve seen work super well in the past: macarons, coffee, ice cream cones, tacos, burgers, beer, cupcakes, the list goes on.

Bring a picnic

This is similar to the above, but more specific. If you know you want a cool outdoor location but are trying to think of some things to bring or do, a picnic is a fun, natural way to enjoy yourselves together and still have that nature vibe.

If you have a wedding theme, incorporate that somehow

You may be using your engagement pictures for your save-the-dates, so if you have any theme or color you’re planning for the wedding, those ideas will fit perfectly. For example, I had a couple do blue- and purple-colored paint powder for their engagement pictures to go along with their peacock wedding theme. Another couple used a New Mexican rug for some of their engagement pictures, because their wedding was going to be in New Mexico.

Recreate an old favorite photo of you together

Do you have a favorite old photo from the early days of your relationship? One idea is to recreate that moment, whether it’s with the pose or the location or both. It’s a fun way to commemorate the time that has passed and how your relationship has blossomed. Plus, maybe it’s something you can do down the road too, like at your wedding, anniversary, etc.

Go somewhere iconic to the place you live

This is a great way to share a bit of your life together for photos, especially if you’re now living somewhere away from family. People like showing off the famous views of their home! Whether that’s deep in the mountains in Colorado, somewhere near the Space Needle in Seattle, on your favorite beach in California, or in the desert foothills in Albuquerque, these possibilities are endless.

Bring your pet

I always encourage my clients to involve their fur babies. They’re a huge part of your life! This post will give you some tips for bringing a pet to your photo session.

Play with some smoke bombs

You’re going to be limited on location and there are some precautions to keep in mind, but smoke bombs can be so fun for photos, and it’s definitely not something you get to do every day.

Play with paint powder

Feel like adding a little color and fun into your session? Have a fight with paint powder. I think this is a super fun thing to do, and it will certainly make for some fond memories of your engagement session. Be prepared to get messy!

Just relax and be yourselves

This tip is really the most important. I can’t stress enough how important it is for you and your love to be able to relax, forget about the camera, and just enjoy each other. No matter who your photographer is, I hope that you find someone you are comfortable being yourself around! That confidence or lack of self-consciousness will absolutely always translate into the best pictures of you. You should be able to look back at your photographs and think, yes, that’s us. You’re not trying to be anyone else because you two are 100% unique individuals, and that’s really what your engagement pictures should be celebrating.

In case you missed them, here are some other tips to help you prepare for the most amazing engagement pictures:

The Complete Guide to Help You Prepare for Your Engagement Pictures

Choosing the Location for Your Engagement Pictures

Style Tips for Amazing Engagement Pictures

Also check out my Pinterest board for more engagement photo inspiration. And if you liked this post, PIN IT below!

Hey friend! I’m Delia–a wedding photographer who loves adventure just as much as snuggling on the couch with her dog. My photography is fun and colorful and embraces the real you. I’m based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, but I photograph weddings all throughout New Mexico, Colorado, and the southwest. I love to connect with and help my clients as much as possible. Check out the wedding planning tips section of my blog for more helpful advice.