Yes, I take engagement photos after the proposal, and that is exactly when almost every engagement session I shoot in Los Angeles happens. A couple gets engaged, the ring settles in, the group chat calms down, and somewhere between a few weeks and six months later we are standing on a bluff in Palos Verdes an hour before sunset. The proposal is the moment. The engagement photos are the portrait of who you are as a couple right after it. They are two different things, and the gap between them is not a problem to fix. It is the point.

I get this question a lot from couples who assume they missed their chance because nobody hid a photographer in the bushes when they said yes. You did not miss anything. Let me walk you through how the timing actually works, what I recommend, and the mistakes I see when couples wait too long or rush it.

The Short Answer I Give at Every Consultation

Engagement photos are almost always taken after the proposal. A proposal shoot is the rare exception: a photographer hides nearby and captures the question itself, which is a separate booking with a completely different plan. I wrote a full breakdown of how an engagement session differs from a proposal photoshoot if you are still weighing both.

For a regular engagement session, here is the window I steer couples toward:

  • Earliest that makes sense: 3-4 weeks after the proposal, once your nails are done, the ring is sized and you have had a minute to breathe.
  • Sweet spot: 2-6 months after the proposal, which usually lands 6-12 months before the wedding.
  • Latest that still works well: about 3 months before the wedding, so the photos can still go on save-the-dates, a welcome sign or your wedding website.

Session length is typically 60-90 minutes, and in Los Angeles you will usually pay somewhere between $300 and $900 for a standalone session depending on the photographer, the hours and how many locations you want. Edited photos come back in roughly 2-3 weeks from a studio that has its workflow together.

Honestly, Waiting a Little Is Better Than Shooting the Next Weekend

I will be blunt: shooting engagement photos the weekend after the proposal is usually a mistake. I know the excitement is huge and you want to capture it. But in the first two weeks, most couples have not resized the ring, have not thought about outfits, and are running on adrenaline and zero sleep from calling every relative they have. I have seen couples show up to rushed sessions with a ring spinning sideways on a finger and a borrowed jacket that did not fit, and they never loved those photos.

Give it three or four weeks minimum. The excitement does not disappear. It actually turns into something calmer and more natural in front of the camera, which photographs better. The couples who look the most relaxed in my galleries are the ones who had a month or two to settle into being engaged.

Why Your Wedding Date Matters More Than Your Proposal Date

Most couples think about engagement photo timing starting from the proposal. I think about it backward from the wedding, because that is where the photos actually get used. Here is how I map it out with couples:

  • Save-the-dates typically go out 6-8 months before the wedding, or 8-12 months for destination or holiday weekends. If you want engagement photos on them, the session needs to happen at least 3-4 weeks before the design deadline.
  • Wedding website photos can go up any time, but couples like having them live when save-the-dates land.
  • Invitations go out about 8-10 weeks before the wedding. Plenty of couples use a favorite frame there too, and I have a whole post on using engagement photos on your invitations.
  • Welcome signs and guest books get printed in the last month, so almost any session timing covers those.

So if you got engaged in December and your wedding is the following October, I would shoot the engagement session in February or March. That gives you photos in hand by late March and save-the-dates out in April with time to spare. If you want a more detailed calendar, here is my guide on when to schedule engagement photos before the wedding.

Short Engagements Change the Math

Not everyone has a 14-month engagement. I shoot a lot of LA couples who get engaged in the spring and marry that fall, or who book a courthouse wedding at the Beverly Hills Courthouse with a dinner afterward four months later. In those cases I recommend shooting the engagement session within 3-6 weeks of the proposal, because the save-the-date window closes fast.

If your engagement is under three months, skip the save-the-dates and use the engagement photos for invitations, the welcome sign and a slideshow at dinner. Or consider folding a short portrait session into the wedding weekend itself. There is no rule that says engagement photos have to exist, and I would rather you put that $300-$900 toward extra wedding coverage than force a rushed shoot.

What I Look at When Picking the Actual Date

Once we know the window, choosing the specific day comes down to Los Angeles light and weather more than anything else.

  • Season: October through early December and February through April are my favorite months. May and June bring the marine layer to Santa Monica, Malibu and Laguna, which means flat gray skies until early afternoon. It usually burns off by golden hour, but not always.
  • Time of day: I start most sessions 60-90 minutes before sunset. In December that means starting around 3:15 PM. In late June it means starting close to 6:30 PM.
  • Heat: August and September in the Valley, Griffith Park and the desert spots can sit above 95°F well into the evening. Sweat shows up on camera. Beach locations stay 15-20 degrees cooler.
  • Crowds: The Griffith Observatory lawn and the Venice canals are packed on weekends. A Tuesday or Wednesday evening session is dramatically easier.
  • Permits: Some parks and gardens around LA require a permit or charge a photography fee, so we check that before locking the date.

How to Prep in the Weeks After the Proposal

Here is what I tell couples to handle between the proposal and the session. None of it takes long, and all of it shows up in the photos.

  • Resize the ring if it needs it. Jewelers usually need 1-2 weeks. A loose ring rotates constantly, and it drives everyone crazy during hand shots.
  • Get a manicure 1-2 days before. Hands will be in a lot of frames.
  • Plan two outfits. One casual, one dressier is the combination that works best for most couples, and this is my guide on how many outfits to bring to an engagement shoot.
  • Pick a location that feels like you. The spot where the proposal happened, the hiking trail you do every Sunday, the coffee shop in Silver Lake where you had your first date. Personal beats pretty every single time.
  • Book hair and makeup for the afternoon if you want it, finishing about 30 minutes before the session starts.

Most Photographers Won't Say This, But the Session Is Really a Rehearsal

The biggest reason I push couples to do engagement photos after the proposal and before the wedding is not the save-the-dates. It is practice. Most people have never been directed by a photographer for 90 minutes. The first 15 minutes of every engagement session are stiff. By minute 40, couples are laughing and forgetting I am there. On the wedding day, those same couples walk into portraits already knowing how I direct, how close I will get and what "walk toward me and ignore me" actually means.

That is also why I think it matters who shoots it. When the same team handles your engagement session and your wedding, the wedding day portraits move twice as fast. At ConneryFilm, photography and cinematic film live under one roof, so the engagement session is where you meet the people who will be with you all day, and where we learn which side of your face you like, how you move together and what makes you laugh. If you add a short engagement film clip, it also gives us footage for a save-the-date video or a reception slideshow without booking a second vendor.

What If It Has Been a Year or More Since the Proposal?

Still worth it. I have photographed couples who got engaged two years earlier because the wedding kept moving. Nobody looking at those photos can tell. What you lose is not quality; it is usefulness, because the save-the-date window may be gone. If the wedding is less than two months out, I would usually skip a standalone session and add an extra hour of wedding day coverage instead. If it is three months or more out, go for it.

And if you are already married and never did engagement photos, call it an anniversary session. The light at El Matador at sunset does not care what the occasion is.

FAQ: Engagement Photos After the Proposal

How soon after the proposal should we take engagement photos?

Wait at least 3-4 weeks so the ring is sized and you have planned outfits. For most Los Angeles couples, the best window is 2-6 months after the proposal and 6-12 months before the wedding.

Is an engagement shoot the same as a proposal photoshoot?

No. A proposal shoot captures the question itself, with the photographer hidden nearby. An engagement session is a planned 60-90 minute portrait session after you are already engaged, with outfits, a location and full direction.

How far in advance should we book the engagement session?

Book 6-8 weeks ahead, longer for October and November weekends, which fill fastest in LA. If your photographer is already booked for the wedding, engagement dates are usually easier to get.

Can we do engagement photos where the proposal happened?

Absolutely, and I love it when couples do. If it is a private spot like a restaurant or a rental, get permission first. If it is a public place like a beach or a trail, we just time it around crowds and light.

Do engagement photos come with a wedding package?

Many LA wedding collections include an engagement session or offer it as a discounted add-on. Ask before booking a standalone session so you do not pay $300-$900 for something that could have been bundled.

If you just got engaged and you are wondering when to plan your photos, I would genuinely love to hear your proposal story and help you map out the timing around your wedding date. Call or text 818.749.7039, or visit ConneryFilm.com to see our engagement and wedding work and check if your dates are open.

Meet the Author: Connery Davoodian Hello, I'm Connery Davoodian, the visionary behind ConneryFilm, and I'm thrilled to share insights from my 17-year journey through the world of wedding photography and videography. My passion extends beyond simply capturing images; it's about artfully weaving your unique love story into a timeless, cinematic masterpiece. My artistic path began long before I ever picked up a camera, deeply rooted in music as a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. This diverse background in directing, producing, and editing has cultivated a unique perspective, allowing me to approach each wedding not just as an event, but as a dynamic narrative waiting to be beautifully told. This blend of technical mastery and creative storytelling is the heartbeat of ConneryFilm, ensuring that every frame, every shot, and every film is infused with depth, emotion, and unparalleled artistic integrity. At ConneryFilm, we believe your wedding memories deserve nothing less than bespoke luxury. My philosophy centers on capturing the authentic, unscripted moments – the genuine smiles, the tender glances, the joyful laughter – that truly define your day. While we obsess over exquisite details and sophisticated aesthetics, our true joy comes from making you feel completely at ease, like a "friendor" who genuinely celebrates alongside you. This calm, organized presence allows your true personalities to shine, resulting in images and films that are as real and vibrant as your love itself. Based in the heart of Los Angeles, California, my team and I are privileged to serve couples across the globe, bringing our signature high-end wedding photography and videography to destination weddings worldwide. Through these blog posts, I aim to share invaluable insights, luxurious inspiration, and practical, fun advice to guide you through your wedding planning journey, helping you make informed decisions about preserving your most cherished moments. Thank you for trusting ConneryFilm to be a part of your extraordinary adventure. I'm excited to share my knowledge and passion with you, helping you create memories that will last forever.