Tips and tricks for better Engagement photos...from an expert of course

It's wedding season everybody!!! And you know what that means, lots and lots of cute posed pictures hanging on my refrigerator. Now, for those of you who have never had an engagement photo taken I'm going to let you in on a little secret. There are some very serious rules one must follow. Above, my lovely models have agreed to demo a few surefire poses that will leave everyone smiling when they open your invitation. Disclaimer: neither of the couples above are engaged (or even couples for that matter).

I will say that I found some reputable advice on the internet, but none lived up to my expectations. I don't think any are tailored to the LDS community...Which is, as we know, one of the only cultures to send out a photo with every announcement. So, I decided to make my own.

Let's give the top 10 tips, David Letterman style:
10. Always wear matching outfits
9. Two options for backgrounds: beach or hay bales. Take your pick.
8. Make sure you spend plenty of time in a tanning booth right before the pictures.
7. NEVER EVER wear your hair in a style you would on a normal day, that would be so weird.
6. Poses where the man is using his brute strength are always pluses (as demo'd in #3 above).
5. Never use a candid shot. Instead use a posed shot that looks candid.
4. If possible, print the picture directly on vellum for the announcement. People love vellum.
3. Always photoshop out what you don't like from the landscape. Don't worry that you have now created a fictional place. And also, don't forget to use photoshop on yourselves.
2. It is imperative you take at least one shot of someone popping up behind the other/on the other's back. Usually this is the girl, but hey if you guys want to ride piggyback... (#1 and #2 above)
1. ALWAYS ALWAYS show the ring.

Disclaimer #2: No one currently on my fridge has made any of these mistakes...But after years as a YSA I've seen it all.