Taking engagement photos has always been one of my favorite aspects of the whole wedding photography process. Why? Because to me engagement photography is the best way to get to know the couple. I get to see how they interact, how they touch each other and gaze into each other’s eyes. And also how comfortable they are in front of the camera.

Often I find that at least one person is totally comfortable taking photos while the other partner needs a little time to get used to it. As a photographer, it gives me a chance to let any nervousness pass and to help them forget I’m even there. Engagement photography is the best way to get to know your photographer and for your photographer to learn how to photograph you. And in the end, that will make your wedding day photos that much better.

For the couple, engagement photos are fun, spontaneous, and often sexy. Unlike your wedding day, there’s no pressure, timeline, or family and friend. It doesn’t have to be perfect or run on schedule, it’s just the three of us and our only goal is to have fun and capture the love between the couple.

Here are my top tips for couples interested in great engagement photography:

Top 3 Tips for Amazing Engagement Photos

1. Choose a location that suits you as a couple.

2. Pick a couple of great outfits.

3. Relax and stare deep into each other’s eyes.

In terms of locations, I’ve shot all over Los Angeles. From the Pasadena City Hall, to the beaches of Santa Monica, to the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Downtown Los Angeles. Los Angeles has so many amazing locations, each one with a distinct history, culture, and vibe, that sometimes making a decision where to take your engagement photos can be quite difficult. Whenever I’ve given advice to a couple, I’ve always brought it back to their relationship. Are you a couple of old souls, or are you modern day techies? Do you share an interest in movies, music, the outdoors? Whatever the answer is, there is a good venue somewhere in Los Angeles, whether it’s the Griffith Observatory or the lamps at LACMA.

Once the couple has decided on a location or two for their engagement photos, it’s time to pick some outfits.  While it is great to compliment your fiancee in photos, by no means do the two of you need to wear matching outfits. If the other half is more comfortable in solid colors, try choosing something with a pattern. Patterns are a great way to add contrast to your images.

A great example to share was with Sima and Barzin, who were one of my favorite couples to photograph. We decided to take engagement photos at two locations: Their home in Santa Monica and at the beach. They wanted to emphasize the attraction they had for one another, both in a loving and sexy way, and I had absolutely no problem with that. As you can see from the photos, they had a lot of chemistry between them and I loved shooting them as they gazed into each other’s eyes.

At their home we started with more formal outfits, as if they were just coming home from a long day at work, and they had missed each other. I used the natural light that came in through their second story window and into their living room, creating a wonderful soft glow that surrounded them. I also used some of their leather furniture to add to the mood.

At the beach they wore their bathing suits and frolicked on the sand as I snapped away with my camera. My favorite shot was Barzin kissing Sima on the nose as the California sun was setting over the Pacific Ocean. We had a great time and in the end they got some amazing engagement photos.