How to Take Stunning Engagement and Wedding Photos at Home, According to Pros

Investing in great wedding and engagement photos are a must in the digital age. COVID-19, however, has changed how some couples are not only planning their weddings, but how they're now working with their vendors—especially for engagement or wedding photoshoots. If your proposal is unexpected or your new minimony wedding plans come together rather quickly, it's possible to take stunning at-home engagement or wedding photos even if you aren't a pro yourself. In fact, you don't need top-of-the-line equipment to capture a professional-looking photo. For beautiful engagement or wedding pictures at home, we've tapped industry professionals to share the best tips for taking quality snapshots in a pinch. Even throughout and after the process, you should work with a photographer once you feel comfortable to do so—after all, professional wedding and engagement (or even anniversary) photos will be invaluable in the long run.

Video Call Your Pro

So you've already booked a photographer for your wedding or engagement photoshoot, but you don't feel comfortable meeting the pro in person (or they won't be able to travel to you in reverse). The solution is simple: connect with them via video chat first. Some photographers have started directing virtual photoshoots as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, and they may be able to offer tips and help you find the best angles during your photoshoot. Your pro can help you master the art of posing for a self-timer, as well as finding the best spots in your house or backyard for ideal lighting. Alternatively, if a family member is able to take photos at your minomony or elopement, your photographer may be able to guide them through the process as well.

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While you are capable of taking photos on your own, a pro can offer expert advice to help you understand insider lighting, angle and pose tricks. When taking at home engagement and wedding photos, having the help of a pro can make the experience easier and more rewarding.

Plan Your Lighting

In some cases, though, you might not be able to have a professional photographer on call. Perhaps you didn't book one yet, or your vendor isn't available to help you on the day you need it. If so, the first skill to master on your own is lighting. "If you're going to do an outdoor shoot, it's always suggested that you take them around sunset or sunrise," says photographer and Nikon ambassador Jide Alakija. "You get golden lighting, and the direction of the light is a lot more flattering. The light is angled to the side as opposed to above you during the peak of the day, where you might get shadows under the eyes."

If you're taking photos indoors, arrange the camera in a room with windows. "If couples are going to be in the house, shoot when you know you get the best natural lighting indoors," adds photographer Charmi Peña, also a Nikon ambassador.

If your space needs more light, use another smartphone's flashlight to brighten up the frame. "Additional light should come at 45 degrees to the subject," Alakija advises. "It should create a triangle with the subject and camera." Adds Peña: "With a second smartphone, you can control which direction the light is coming from. You can even use a flashlight and take a great picture—it's just a matter of which direction the light is coming from. Pick their light source and play with it."

Then, tap on the subjects to properly expose the frame. Setting the exposure manually is vital for illuminating faces. "The phone will set its exposure to [focus on] the most dominant color, which is probably a white dress," Alakija adds. "As a result, it'll make skin look darker. Tap on the faces of the couple, so the phone can adjust its exposure to their skin color and make them brighter."

Style the Background

Once you've identified a space with good natural light, style the background. Clean up the space so it won't distract from the subjects. Plain and simple backgrounds photograph best, so keep that in mind when sourcing your photo spot. Remove any photos or wall hangings that stand out in the photo—or, if you'll be outside, look for a background that fits your preferred photography style.

Experiment With Angles

Once you've found a flattering background with decent natural light, find a sturdy stand for your camera or phone. A tripod is ideal for balancing your camera, though it's not necessary. You can also use a phone stand to prop up your device—and some even come with ring lights for photoshoots. Even a bookshelf, side table or windowsill can work with some practice shots.

One thing to keep in mind, though, is the height of your camera. "The higher the angle, the better," advises Peña. "Shooting yourself from below is not ideal, so don't prop up the camera lower than head height."

It's important to experiment with angles throughout your at-home wedding or engagement photoshoot, whether you're using a self-timer or having a family member step in. Finding flattering shots is a trial-and-error process that photographers experience too. "With every photo I take, I explore different angles—it's called 'high, near, far, low,'" says Alakija. "You may not see a flattering angle until the photo is being taken."

Relax With Ambiance

One of the most important qualities a professional photographer has is the ability to help subjects loosen up. Posing for pictures doesn't always feel natural, and a photographer is able to lighten the mood and help couples relax. In lieu of a professional, create an engagement or wedding photoshoot playlist to help you and your S.O. loosen up. Fill it with your favorite hits, as well as some of your wedding songs. (We love the idea of creating a first dance song playlist for your at-home photoshoot to get you in the mood.)

Taking wedding photos at home is all about creating a relaxed environment that will result in comfortable, natural photos. To take it a step farther, light your favorite candle, hype each other up, or allow a family member to coach your photoshoot. Everything you can do to create a comfortable and fun ambiance will lead to stunning photos.

Take as Many Photos as Possible

Once the camera is set and you have ideal lighting, you'll be ready to snap photos. For photo inspiration, Peña suggests browsing Pinterest for pose ideas. Beyond that, you can also find at-home engagement and wedding photo ideas from your favorite photographers on social media, your friends' albums, and real wedding photo roundups. (Psst: Find 97 wedding photos that are so stunning, they bring tears to our eyes right here.)

Once you're ready to start snapping, be sure to take as many pictures as possible. Most smartphone self-timers will automatically take a burst of multiple images, giving you plenty of options in case someone blinks or is caught shifting between poses. If a family member is taking photos, Alakija suggests hitting the shutter at least five times to get as many options as possible.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the perfect shot comes with time and practice. "The first photo is never good, so don't even look at it," Peña advises. "Shoot a lot and give yourself time to get into the space you want to get into to take pictures. Even with a professional, the first ten minutes of every shoot don't result in the best photos. It's going to take time to get comfortable, even if you are alone—and that's okay. Don't give up the first five minutes in."

Enhance Photos With Simple Editing

The last step of an at-home engagement or wedding photoshoot is to enhance the images in post-production. While you can use the editing features within the camera on your smartphone, additional apps can offer more professional-grade editing tools. Alakija and Peña both recommend Lightroom Mobile, a free version of Adobe Lightroom (a favorite among pros). You can download premade photo presets from Presetpro, or experiment with the tools in the app.

In general, toggle with exposure, brightness and contrast to enhance your photos. You can also increase the saturation slightly for a more vibrant shot. Or, consider turning it black and white for dramatic effect. "Moments that evoke emotion tend to look better in black and white," Alakija says. "When you take out color, you focus more on the subjects. Mood is governed by light tones, and color is better when you want to show expressions."

Plan a Professional Photoshoot When Safe

Finally, be sure to reach out to a photographer to plan a professional photoshoot when you feel comfortable doing so. While these expert tips will help you capture stunning photos in a pinch, a seasoned pro delivers invaluable experience that will result in photos you'll cherish forever. "There is something special about seeing your relationship through the eyes of someone else," says Peña. "You should eventually get professional photos not only for the improved quality but also because your emotion and your connection is different when someone else is watching you. It's a really beautiful thing to see how other people see your relationship."