1. The Hero Shot – Your Love Story at Its Grandest
Think of this as the “cover photo” of your engagement. The hero shot is usually a wide, sweeping image that captures you both in an epic setting—maybe framed by the Idaho Falls riverbanks, a mountain horizon, or even the cozy streets where you had your first date.
The purpose of the hero shot is to establish the mood of your story. It’s the image you’ll likely share in announcements, use on invitations, or frame for your living room wall. More than just a portrait, it feels cinematic. When you look back, it says:
This was us at the very beginning of forever.
Tips for the Hero Shot:
- Choose a meaningful backdrop—somewhere that feels like part of your journey.
- Wear something slightly more formal to elevate the mood.
- Let your photographer capture both wide shots and closer variations.
2. The Close-Up – Where Emotion Lives
The grand shots are gorgeous, but the close-ups are where intimacy thrives. These are the photos that highlight the small, tender details: your hands intertwined, the laughter lines when you smile, the softness in your eyes when you look at each other.
Close-ups capture what words can’t always say. They freeze the gestures and expressions that define your relationship. While the hero shots might make it to the walls, the close-ups will fill your albums and be the photos you revisit when you want to
feel the day again.
Examples of Close-Ups:
- Foreheads pressed together, eyes closed, relaxed and smiling.
- Hands gently resting on each other, showing off the engagement ring.
- A candid laugh caught mid-smile
3. Movement Shots – The Energy of Your Relationship
Still photos are beautiful, but motion brings energy into an album. Whether it’s walking hand in hand, dancing under the sunset, twirling in a field, or even running playfully through downtown Idaho Falls, movement creates a natural, joyful dynamic.
Movement photos are especially great for couples who feel nervous in front of the camera. Instead of holding still and trying to pose, you get to simply interact with each other, which leads to genuine laughter and relaxed smiles.
Why Movement Matters:
- It reflects your personalities as a couple—are you playful, elegant, adventurous?
- It creates candid expressions you couldn’t stage if you tried.
- It balances your collection so the album feels alive rather than posed.
4. The Ring Shot – A Symbol of Your Promise
Few details are as symbolic as the engagement ring. It’s a tiny object, but it holds the weight of a life-changing promise. That’s why one of the must-have photos in any engagement session is a creative, thoughtful ring shot.
This doesn’t just mean a close-up of the jewelry. A great ring photo incorporates context—your hand resting on your partner’s chest, fingers linked together, or even the ring in focus with the two of you blurred in the background. The goal is to capture not just the sparkle, but the meaning behind it.
5. Location Shots – A Place That Matters
Engagement sessions become more personal when the location tells part of your story. Maybe it’s where you first met, your favorite café, the trail you hike every weekend, or a scenic spot you both love. These backdrops don’t just make pretty pictures—they anchor your photos in memory.
Idaho couples are spoiled for choice. The Snake River, nearby foothills, or the rustic textures of downtown buildings all provide timeless, versatile settings. Each location adds character, making your gallery unique to
you.
Ideas for Personal Backdrops:
- A quiet bench in a park where you often talk about the future.
- A coffee shop corner where you had your first date.
- A riverside view that makes you both feel at peace.
6. Golden Hour (or Blue Hour) Magic
Lighting transforms photos, and there’s nothing quite like golden hour—the window just before sunset when everything is bathed in a soft, warm glow. It makes skin tones radiant, creates dreamy backdrops, and adds an instantly romantic feel.
If you’re more drawn to moodier tones, blue hour—the time just after sunset—offers a magical, cinematic atmosphere. Streetlights begin to glow, skies deepen to soft blues, and the mood feels intimate and quiet.
No matter your choice, these times of day produce images that feel effortlessly timeless.
7. The Candid Moments – The Photos You Didn’t Expect
Perhaps the most treasured shots are the ones you don’t plan—the ones where you forget the camera is even there. Maybe you’re laughing at a shared joke, whispering something silly, or simply pausing to breathe together.
Candid photos show you as you
are, not as you’re posed to be. They become some of the most meaningful images because they capture your relationship in its rawest form—two people in love, unfiltered and genuine.
Why These Seven Shots Work Together
Each of these seven types of photos serves a purpose:
- Hero shots give your love story grandeur.
- Close-ups capture intimacy.
- Movement shots add energy and life.
- Ring shots celebrate your promise.
- Location shots anchor the session in personal meaning.
- Golden/blue hour shots provide timeless beauty.
- Candids reveal your truest selves.
Together, they create a balanced, complete album that tells your story from every angle.
Beyond the Shots: The Deeper Purpose of Engagement Sessions
While these shots are must-haves, the bigger purpose of engagement sessions is to celebrate your relationship. They also serve practical benefits:
- Comfort in front of the camera: By the time your wedding day comes, you’ll feel more at ease with your photographer and the process.
- Practice for the big day: You’ll get used to prompts, posing, and movement, so your wedding portraits feel smooth and natural.
- Personal keepsakes: Engagement photos often double as save-the-date images, guestbook décor, or even wall art in your home.
Most importantly, they freeze this moment in your journey—before the planning stress, before the aisle, before the vows. Just you two, savoring the excitement of what’s to come.
A Session That Feels Like You
Remember: the must-have shots are a guide, not a checklist. What makes your engagement session truly powerful is when it reflects
you. Whether you’re goofy and playful, calm and serene, or adventurous and bold, your photographer can tailor each of these shots to your personalities.
When you look back years from now, you won’t just see pretty pictures. You’ll see
your relationship as it was then: fresh, full of anticipation, and alive with love.
Final Thoughts
Engagement photos are more than a pre-wedding tradition—they’re the first visual chapter of your story. By prioritizing these seven must-have shots, you ensure your gallery captures the full spectrum of who you are together: the grandeur, the details, the movement, the promise, the setting, the light, and the authentic moments.
Your love story deserves to be told beautifully and completely. And that’s what makes
engagement portrait sessions such a valuable investment—they capture a once-in-a-lifetime season with authenticity, artistry, and heart.
Because when the wedding day arrives and years roll by, you’ll be grateful for the day you paused, just the two of you, to celebrate where it all began.
