Couple captured in a candid moment during their engagement session, avoiding overly posed shots.

Engagement Photography Trends for 2024: What’s Hot and What’s Not

Return to all blog posts
Couple captured in a candid moment during their engagement session, avoiding overly posed shots.

As we dive into the rest of 2024 beginning our prep for all the fall weddings, proposals, and engagement sessions, we started to notice some themes with our couples. Look, we’ll be real, engagement photography is shifting towards creativity, personality, and capturing the unique essence of every couple.

And the weddings have been following suit. If you’re in the midst of planning, you maybe craving something more unique, styled, and planned. We are so here for more of that!

Here’s what we think is trending this year—and what’s falling out of favor.


What’s Hot (In the Paris Hilton voice)

Black and White Photography

      • Timeless and Emotional: Black and white photography is having a major moment in 2024, emphasizing the raw, timeless emotions between couples. By stripping away color, these images focus on the deep connection and moments of love, making them an elegant choice for any engagement session.

      Flash Photography

            • Dramatic and Bold: Once reserved for nighttime events, flash photography is now a popular choice for engagement sessions. The use of flash creates bold, high-contrast images, adding drama and intensity, whether it’s a sunset kiss or a fun moment in an urban setting.

            Fun and Playful Themes

              • Personality-Driven: Couples are increasingly opting for engagement sessions that reflect their personalities and interests. Whether it’s incorporating a shared hobby, favorite spot, or even pets, these sessions are less about formal poses and more about capturing the essence of the relationship.

              Cinematic and Editorial Styles

                • Magazine-Worthy: With a focus on storytelling, cinematic and editorial photography styles are trending. These sessions are curated with dramatic locations, stylish outfits, and a narrative approach, resulting in photos that look like they belong in a high-end fashion magazine.

                Incorporating Experiences

                  • Beyond the Photoshoot: In 2024, engagement sessions are more than just taking photos; they’re about creating memorable experiences. Whether it’s a day trip, a cozy in-home session, or an adventurous hike, couples are turning their sessions into unforgettable moments that are captured on camera.

                  Crafting It to Be a Date

                    • Romantic and Intimate: Many couples are treating their engagement sessions like a special date. Planning a date around the session—like a picnic, coffee shop visit, or a walk through a favorite park—results in natural, relaxed, and intimate photos that truly capture the essence of their relationship.

                    Couple enjoying a cozy couch moment and cocktails at the golden nugget spa suites a date during their engagement session.

                    What’s Not – And How To Change It

                    Overly Posed Shots

                      • Stiff and Unnatural: In 2024, there’s a shift away from stiff, overly posed shots. Couples now prefer authentic, candid moments that reflect their true connection. However, we believe in blending posed and candid shots to capture a balance of beautiful, natural moments and polished, timeless images.

                      Uniform Outfits

                        • Lack of Personality: Uniform or overly coordinated outfits that don’t express individuality are less popular. However, when done well, monochromatic or cohesive outfits can create a striking visual effect. It’s about finding the right balance that reflects your unique style as a couple.

                        Traditional Studio Sessions

                          • Limiting and Stale: While traditional studio sessions may seem less dynamic, they can be incredibly impactful when curated and styled to reflect the couple’s personality. A well-designed studio shoot can ooze personality and offer a controlled environment for creating stunning, timeless images.

                          Romantic High End Engagement Photography in the Bay Area | Baker Beach Engagement Session | Leigion of Honor Engagement Session | Las Vegas Wedding Photographer | San Francisco Wedding Photographer | Destination Wedding Photographer | Bay Area Photographer | Las Vegas Engagement Photographer

                          Bringing It All Together

                          For your engagement session, think about what truly represents you as a couple. Whether you’re drawn to a cinematic style, a fun date-like experience, or a classic black-and-white aesthetic, the key is to create a session that feels authentic to you. As a husband-and-wife photography and videography team, we’re passionate about capturing these special moments in a way that tells your unique story.

                          Let’s work together to craft an engagement session that’s not just about taking photos, but about creating lasting memories.

                          Ready to plan your engagement session? Contact us today to start creating your perfect experience.


                          Book your date

                          Whether it's a wedding, elopement, or special moment in life, The Combs Creative team is here to document it with authenticity and heart.

                          Your story, your way