You’ve asked and we’ve answered! Welcome to your weekly column ‘Planning Your Happily Ever After’ with wedding consultant Shikima Hinds.

Now that you’re engaged, it’s the best time to honour this momentous occasion with a professional photoshoot! If you’re not up to speed on an engagement shoot, we’ve got you covered. An engagement shoot affords the opportunity to capture the joy and excitement of one of the most exciting seasons of your life before marrying the one you love.

Engagement photos not only document how your relationship has grown but will likely be the most used images throughout your wedding journey until you say ‘I do’. These photos can be used for engagement party invitations, engagement announcements, your wedding website, save-the-date cards, wedding invitations, and even personalised wedding favours.

Whether you’re going for playful, chic, or dramatic images, the concept of an engagement shoot is not as over-the-top as it may seem to some. The pre-wedding engagement sessions kick off some of your most important wedding-vendor relationships. It’s also a great way to test out the vibe and work of your chosen photographer, as it’s important to zone in on the look and feel these photos will take. This is also a great time to experiment with your wedding day hair and make-up looks. If you have a vendor in mind for day-of beauty, use your engagement shoot as a trial run. It’s one of the best ways to see how the make-up will turn out in professional photographs. Think of it as a wedding-day dry run.

Choosing a photographer

Choosing the right wedding and engagement photographer comes down to two main things: Their photography and editing style and their personality. Though most photographers offer a combination of portraits, formal poses, and candid shots, the editing style remains consistent with their brand.

When to take photos

If you plan to use these photos for engagement announcements, social media content, your wedding website or a save-the-date, you should consider doing this session at least six to eight months prior to your wedding (if you have a long engagement period).

Location

When choosing your engagement photo spot, pick a meaningful location or seek the assistance of your photographer’s expertise. Some location ideas are:

• Your favourite spot — maybe the location of your first date together or your current favourite date night location, or perhaps where the proposal took place.

• Your next vacation — if you’re planning a vacation before your wedding and heading to a particularly gorgeous location, find a photographer who can snap some shots while you are there.

Strike a pose

A good photographer will get you into comfortable poses that look and feel natural. Focus on being present and enjoying each other. Have fun with it and show off your personality! When the day of the shoot arrives, forget about everything else and just focus on one another. That’s why you’re there. Show some public displays of affection with a sweet kiss. Embrace your partner the way you would when you’re alone; this always makes for a great photo. Incorporate a few props into the shoot, like your favourite book or something from a sport or hobby you both enjoy. Adding some meaningful items to the shoot makes it that more special. Just stick to what is real and put all pressures of the photoshoot behind you.

What to wear

The first rule to follow when choosing your outfits for engagement photos is to dress like the best version of yourself. I recommend soft, subtle and neutral colours for a classic, timeless look. While you don’t want to match your partner, you’ll want to make sure your colours complement one another; coordinate but don’t try to be twins. Opt for pastels, muted tones, neutrals, and cool shades. Beiges, taupes, blacks, and whites are the most flattering and often fit in with any type of location. Remember, comfort should be your first priority.

What time of day is best?

Sunset (or the golden hour, as most call it these days) is the most popular and perfect time to capture a beautiful photo. It generally guarantees great lighting; crimson and soft hues will make for an intimate ambiance.

Night-time is another great time of day. If you have the opportunity to capture a starry night sky, pretty cityscape, or lit signage this will certainly add a little pop to your night-time pics.

You don’t have to do run-of-the-mill shots, but make the photos truly your own even if you seek online inspiration. Here are a few great engagement photo ideas:

• At home — This location is great to capture photos that are candid and genuine.

• The beach — Unpack that swimsuit, grab your partner and head to the beach for a sexy shoot.

• The spot where you first met — It has all the sentiments required for the moment.

• A nature walk — Nothing is more romantic than a walk amongst nature’s finest.

• Pop some bubbly — Poppin’ bottles to celebrate the moment is a fun shot.

• Choose an iconic landmark.

• Pretty much anywhere in front of a perfect sunset.

Engagement photography is worth the time and effort, although it is not mandatory, but high-quality photos are well worth it. Don’t let this magical moment pass without capturing it to share with the world. Let engagement photos be among the very first things you do with your new fiancé.