Because Most Pictures Lack Creative Couple Poses and Outfits with Fun Theme Ideas

Let’s be honest—most engagement photos are boring. Not because the photography itself is bad, but because they lack creativity and personality. Scroll through Instagram or Pinterest, and you’ll see the same formula: couples in their Sunday best, posing at the beach or a mountaintop. Six-inch stilettos in the sand? A t-shirt next to a formal gown? Come on, does that really represent you?

In a city full of creatives like Los Angeles, you’d think engagement pictures would be bursting with unique ideas and personal touches. But instead, we keep seeing the same cookie-cutter photoshoots. And what’s baffling is that many photographers offer engagement sessions as part of their packages—essentially a free chance to show off your personality, hobbies, or quirks. Yet, so many couples settle for generic poses and outfits that don’t reflect who they are. Why waste that opportunity?

And hey, if stilettos on the beach or hiking in formal wear is genuinely your thing, go for it! You do you. But if it’s not, maybe it’s time to rethink the way we approach engagement photos and let them reflect the real you. Save the polished, dressed-to-the-nines look for the wedding day.

What to Wear and How to Pose for Couples Pictures: Fun Ideas for Engagement Photoshoots

If you’re doing an engagement photoshoot—whether it’s included in your wedding package or something you’re paying extra for—make it count. This session is your chance to showcase your personalities, not just pose stiffly in formal wear destined to blend into the Instagram void. Take your time, plan a fun day, and make the most of it!

Think outside the box and incorporate what you love. Hit up your favorite taco truck, explore the OC Fair, set up a tent in the mountains, splash around in vintage swimwear, or even recreate a scene from your favorite movie in costume. The possibilities are endless, and there’s so much more you can do than the same old ideas on Pinterest. Most importantly, dress for the occasion. Your wardrobe should feel natural for the location—don’t force anything that isn’t you. Let your outfits complement the setting and reflect who you are as a couple.

Bonnie and Clyde, Zombie and Western Engagement Photos

Look inward and you'd be surprised how easy it is to come up with a creative concept because we're all unique in our own quirky little way. Take my clients for example from the photos throughout this post. We have Twilight Zone fans, zombie enthusiasts, Bonnie and Clyde admirers, while others own a little ranch and brought their horse Tequila along for their photos, which then got picked up by The White Wren. Just don’t follow today’s trend because your photos will age once next season’s trend rolls around. And let’s stop with the impractical concept of wearing heels or a suit at the beach or in the middle of a desert or forest.

Unique, Meaningful Engagement Photos and Why They Matter

Sadly, many couples take generic engagement photos because it's what everyone does. And it shouldn't be this way. Engagement photos should be about creating meaningful photographs that show who you are in that moment in your lives together.

And correct me if I’m wrong, but it's been a while since I’ve seen a unique engagement session go viral. Back in 2011, an engagement session called "Zombie Attack" went viral among the photography community, and in 2013, another couple did the same, but they added a comic strip to theirs. And since, I haven’t seen anything as unique or even go anywhere near as viral after Instagram took over blogs.

And look! I'm not saying you should do something different with your engagement pictures for the sake of going viral.

What I’m saying is that unless you regularly book a photographer for family or newborn photos, your wedding might be the first and last time you pay someone to take professional pictures of you. So do not waste the opportunity to showcase your personality by wearing formal attire that you’ve worn or will wear to someone else’s wedding.