Formal Yet Casual Engagement Photos: How To Achieve Both Styles During Your Session

I'm so excited to share so many incredible engagement sessions with you from this previous season, starting with this delightful late summer engagement session! Seth and Lexie had the perfect blend of formal yet casual and posed yet playful engagement photos. We were fortunate to have two beautiful locations, as with most of my complimentary engagement sessions – one with city views and another among some stunning blooms in nature.

We started the shoot downtown Kansas City, taking advantage of the sunkissed skyline that added a touch of sophistication to the photos. The couple looked stunning in their formal outfits, and we were able to capture some beautifully posed shots that portrayed their love and connection.

After capturing some elegant shots in the city, we headed to a nearby nature spot, Loose Park. The change in scenery and outfits provided a more relaxed and casual atmosphere. Here, we focused on capturing natural and playful moments between the couple, allowing them to simply enjoy each other's company. This part of the session resulted in heartfelt and genuine images that truly showcased their joy and love for one another.

The key to achieving both timeless and classic formal shots with playful, candid, and creative shots is changing up your outfits. You want to set the tone of your session by creating an environment that represents the tone you ultimately want. If you're looking for playful, candid, casual engagement photos you'll likely want to dress down your look or opt for casual/elevated-everyday attire. For more polished, chic, posed photos you'll want to opt for a dressed-up attire or a more formal look. Think about the mood your outfits evoke when you put them on, how do they make you feel? Embrace that feeling! Lastly, communicate to your photographer the tones you're hoping to achieve during your session. Don't be afraid to express your expectations and creatively dream up those tones and feelings with your photographer. I LOVE getting mood boards, ideas, and inspiration from my clients, it's my way of learning how I can best serve my clients and document their stories.

The engagement session was all about capturing timeless and classic images, while also incorporating a modern and candid feel. As a timeless documentary photographer, I believe in documenting natural moments as they unfold, while also helping direct my couples where I feel necessary. I find this approach is also a perfect blend of allowing couples to be themselves while feeling confident in front of the camera. In doing this, combining formal and casual, posed and playful elements, I can capture a wide range of emotions and moods for a more well-rounded final gallery.

I believe that wedding and engagement photography should be more than just a snapshot; it should tell a story and evoke emotions every time you look at the images. With a blend of timeless, classic moments and modern, candid shots, I strive to create a visual narrative that reflects the unique moments and emotions of each couple. If you are looking for a wedding or engagement photographer who is passionate about capturing your unique narrative in a timeless yet candid, photojournalistic style, I would be thrilled to be a part of your big day. Let's create beautiful memories together that will be cherished for a lifetime.

---

Jill Caren Photo specializes in wedding, elopement, engagement, and couples photography, is based out of Kansas City, Missouri, and is available for travel worldwide. Jill Caren Photo offers a full complimentary engagement session and full-day wedding coverage so couples are not forced to choose what they want to be documented on a wedding day. Jill Caren Photo also offers engagement and couples sessions for anyone booking outside a wedding package.

Jill Caren Photo's wedding photography services were grown out of her heart to connect and speak life into young couples as they embark on their marriage journey while offering them a photography experience that documents all the moments of their wedding day. Jill Caren Photo is wedding and portrait photography for intentional couples wanting authentic memories of their best days.

If you would like to see if Jill Stuefer with Jill Caren Photo is available to photograph your wedding, elopement, couples, or engagement session, or if you would like to receive detailed information about her services you can contact Jill here.