It’s your big day, and you want to take photos to remember it. Makes sense. Seems like a pretty standard wedding thing. However, you want to choose where you take them carefully. Yeah, you could take them at a venue and have a great time. However, opting to take wedding photos at home lowers the level of stress by like a good 60%. While that number isn’t exactly science, taking engagement photos at home sure can make things simpler.
Why Take Engagement Photos in Your Home?
Source: shutterstock.com/Look Studio
It’s not just the worry that you might misplace your perfect minimalist engagement ring at the photography studio or on location. You could misplace them at home (though they’d likely be easier to find). At a minimum, engagement photos taken at home allow you a breather before the craziness of your wedding planning kicks up into high gear. Trust us, you’ll want that.
1. Convenience
You’ve got a full closet of clothes and a full jewelry box to choose from. Suddenly you realize you actually hate the shirt you wanted to wear for the photos? Walk into your closet and try a few different ones. Want to integrate some bridal jewelry choices and see what works for you? Try out some options!
While you probably aren’t calling an audible on your entire outfit, you may want to make small tweaks as you’re prepping for the photos (or even as the session is going). Consider home engagement photos to be a final round of edits before the final product. If nothing else, you’ll probably get to sleep in a little later, and who’s going to say no to that?
2. Comfort
There’s something to be said for taking photos in a space where you’re comfortable. It’s a photographer’s job to make you comfortable and, if you’ve hired a professional, this shouldn’t be much of an issue. However, if you’re already in your element, you’ll get comfortable much more quickly. You’ll end up with a better, more natural finished product when all is said and done too!
Want to sit down in your favorite comfy chair and take a breather during the engagement photo session? Can’t do that when you’re taking photos in the park.
Source: shutterstock.com/wavebreakmedia
3. More Intimate Setting
Sure, a beautiful location, studio or wherever people like getting their photos taken can be awesome. That being said, as a representation of you as a couple, what could be more authentic than taking photos at a home that means so much to your story?
It’s not just about bang for your buck (though that doesn’t hurt). Wedding photos aren’t cheap, so why look like you’re trying to recreate the movie poster from Stepbrothers? Yes, you’ll look great, we’re just kidding (mostly). There’s just a certain glow you’re going to have at home that can’t be recreated somewhere else.
4. You Can Get Everything Just Right
Maybe your couch has significance. Maybe you want your cat in the photos (whether he wants to be in them is hard to say, though). Whatever it is, you can really dial in the little things and make your vision come to life at home.
5. Sentimentality
Whether you stay in the home where you take the engagement photos, your background will always be special. If you stay in that place, the photo grows with you while allowing you to look back at what once was. If you move, you’ll always have a piece of your old home with you, no matter how far away you are.
How Much Time Should You Allow for Engagement Photos at Home?
This is tough to say. You’ve likely booked a specific amount of time with the photographer, so that should give you a good idea of what you’re looking at. However, that won’t include prep time and planning.
Block out a few hours within a week or two of your engagement photos to get everything right. Maybe you need to move the furniture around so golden hour comes through your window (hey, love the commitment). More likely is that you want to try on some outfits and maybe go shopping for some new ones. Gotta make sure it works with the ring you just got!
Source: shutterstock.com/Madina Kanzitdinova
How Much Do Engagement Photos at Home Cost?
This is often dependent on the market where you live. An engagement photographer in Dallas likely won’t charge the exact same rates as one in New York or Orlando. Do your due diligence and understand the market around you.
A general idea of cost tends to be in the $200-500 range. Now, that will depend on the photographer’s skill, popularity, time of year, etc. You may be able to snag a discount if you aren’t going to an elaborate location (or multiple locations). You might not, but it can’t hurt to ask!
Your engagement photos are going to stay with you for years to come. Hopefully, you can hang them in your home and have them as a memory as the years go by. Wherever you take them, make sure it’s somewhere you love and where you are comfortable.
