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Newly engaged couples have been getting their photos taken since the mid-1800s, but the time honored tradition has evolved to be more personal than simply a staged portrait.

“We really wanted to capture this season of our lives,” said Haley Wells. “It’s such a special time, and having these photos to look back on felt important.”

Wells, who will be married in October, used photographer Layla Joseph to take the photos that will be looked back on for years to come.

“Engagement photos have been part of tradition for generations, back when newspapers published announcements,” said Joseph, a 2023 graduate of Slippery Rock University.

Although the act of sending in the photos to the local paper to announce a couple’s intentions to marry isn’t as common today, the desire for photos to commemorate the occasion is still very popular.

“The idea is the same. Couples want to celebrate and share the moment,” Joseph said.

Newly engaged Jasi Rankin of New Castle also had Joseph take her engagement photos, and plan to use several of the images.

“We wanted engagement photos for things like Save the Dates and invites, and of course to commemorate our engagement for the future,” Rankin said.

A good photographer will talk to the newly engaged couple to determine exactly what their vision is for their photo shoot.

“Picking a photographer isn’t like picking a hat, there is no one-size-fits all,” Joseph said. She also suggested that couples find a style that moves them and then find a photographer who can bring their vision to life.

Rankin and her fiancé wanted pictures with an “outdoorsy setting.” The couple chose Allegheny Commons Park and Joseph researched the area to find the perfect locations to take the photos.

Often a couple will see photos that interest them and bring them to their a photographer to get suggestions.

“[Joseph] took a look at some inspirational photos that I sent her, and she picked McConnells Mill because of the scenery and how it would match the fall theme we wanted,” Wells said.

That wasn’t the only location Wells and her fiancé used. The couple had met in an elevator at Slippery Rock, so in a full circle moment, they chose to also have photos taken in that same elevator.

“By the time we got to the dorms, they were so comfortable in front of the camera, you could see how giddy they were,” Joseph said.

Costs vary when it comes to hiring a photographer for your engagement photos. Joseph’s packages start around $150, but another photographer can charge as much as $600 or more, depending on their experience.

Joseph recommends finding a photographer who fits your “vibe and your budget.” She also said it’s good to have open communication with your photographer, and a couple should make sure to wear clothes that are comfortable and wrinkle-free.

But most importantly, she said to enjoy the moment.

“Your first job is to smile, relax and take it all in,” Joseph said.