Engagement Pictures Insecurity

Your FH is probably telling you the truth. When you're working out/eating healthy the scale does not always show the work put in. Muscle is heavier than fat. The best way to see/feel a difference is by measuring. Do pants or shirts that used to be a little snug fit you better? Then you have lost some inches. I don't really have any tips on how to get over feeling self conscious. On the day of the photos just remember you are with the love of your life and just relax and have fun!!!

I am significantly overweight (losing now) and when I took my engagement photos last spring, I was at least 20 pounds heavier than I am now. I still look at them and love them - my photographer really captured how happy we are and even though it was over 90 degrees and I was sweaty and gross, you can't tell in the pictures because of how she put us at ease and got our best angles.

ETA: basically, don't dread it. To me, it helped me be less nervous for the wedding photos and was a great way to finally have some nice (nonselfie) pictures of us. Let your FH's compliments ring true because I'm sure they are!

All the scale does is freak me out. I could be shedding inches like crazy, but the number on the scale doesn't change. I try to only weigh myself once I week, so I can keep from obsessing about it.

I'm in the same boat! A friend of mine is doing our engagement photos and she keeps asking me when and I keep putting it off because I truly don't like being photographed right now, and I know I will hate them. I finally decided I don't need them right now (and can send save the dates without a photo or use an old photo) so I plan to wait a few months to do photos, and gotta get my butt in gear!

I am not photogenic at all and do not like getting my picture taken and I dreaded my engagement photo session, BUT in all honesty it was a fun day. I had also put on about 20 "relationship pounds" and was not too happy with how I was looking at that time, but it didn't matter that day and I didn't even think about. We hired someone I knew from college who does photography as a hobby and she did a great job. There were so many great photos and some were my favorite of me that I have ever had taken.

Just a suggestion: I went and had a blowout that morning and my nails done the night before. Treat yourself a little and that will go a long way in boosting your confidence.

Trust me a woman in love is beautiful no matter her size and your photographer will capture that!

Thank you ladies so much for the advice! I scheduled a blow out and an appointment to get my makeup done Friday afternoon before the pictures and I'm hoping this will help. You're so right though- all that matters is that we love each other and that will show through in the pictures Thanks again!

I'd like to put to rest the "muscle is heavier than fat" myth. 1 lb is one lb. The difference is that fat takes up more space than muscle; therefore, you are smaller.

Lauren, have fun! Enjoy having yourself pampered a little! I look forward to you sharing some pics if you choose to do so!

Defiantly go and get your hair done and makeup and just treat yourself! Who doesnt feel better after that! And so much has to also do with the confidence in your outfit also,the right outfit should flatter and compliment you in all the right spots. Just have a good time!

I am significantly overweight as you can see in my picture and I was feeling a little self conscious about my engagement photos, but my FH always tells me that I look beautiful no matter what. He supports me wanting to lose weight, but also reminds me that he loves me for me and that it doesn't matter to him. We had so much fun with our engagement shoot and there were a few pictures that I didn't like because I thought I looked gross, but there were way more pictures that were perfect and perfectly captured our personalities. In the end, you get to choose which pictures you share with others and if there are ones you don't like, you don't have to share them. Just be yourself when you take the pictures. Have fun and your love will show through and that's the most important thing.

I'm totally with you! We both put on relationship weight since moving in together 6 months ago. I'm not excited about our engagement photos in a couple weeks. But I've found a number of photo compositions that de-emphasize problem areas. Any good photographer should know how to pose you and use angles that play down weight gain.

Our photographer is AMAZING so I feel confident that he'll take pictures that will emphasize our good angles and not a million double chins. I bought a new dress (attached from the JCPenney website--- that is definitely not me) for the formal pictures and I feel great in it, so hopefully it will all come together. I'll be sure to share a picture when we get them back.

Suffering from the same fears ... Sorry you're going thru this

I always worry about my legs! but if you talk to your photographer they can work on angles that hide certain areas. they are probably already good at that anyway!

Girl! I gained SO much and I still love my engagement pictures. Be honest with your photographer if you feel insecure and they can work with it. Different angles can do WONDERS

Don't be insecure!! Keep eating well and working out. Let your photographer know your concerns in advance. Wear something that makes you feel AWESOME. Get pro makeup and hair done, if you can afford it. All of those things will help you to feel your best!

Aw I'm sorry you're feeling this way. I've also gained weight since I got engaged, and I'm super nervous about trying on dresses. The good news is that your FH thinks your beautiful no matter what. Annakay nailed it, buy a new outfit, pamper yourself, get your nails done to show off your ring. I'm sure you will look gorgeous! You'll have to upload some pics when you get them back so we can see!

I went through the same fears and honestly there were a handful that really made me upset and depressed about my weight. The bright side? There were so many more photos that turned out amazing and angles that really made me feel better about myself. Editing also really helps with that. I had planned to be so much smaller by now (had over 10 months to lose weight) and I am exactly where I started. I totally know how you feel but your photographer will totally surprise you

I know exactly how you feel! I've gained a great deal of weight during the past 5 years and it's difficult to look at pictures of myself because I see how overweight I have become. (I'm working on it!)

Honestly, you really only need 1 or 2 photos to turn out well from the engagement session that you will primarily use. A great photographer will try to get your best angles and if you're picky like me, liking how I look in 1/10th of the photos is amazing! haha

Wear something flattering and your current size, don't try to squeeze into something too small and buy good shapewear to wear underneath a flattering outfit if it will make you feel more comfortable and confident.

The engagement photos are capturing this amazing moment in your life, try to enjoy it! Or think of it as a trial for wedding photos if it makes you less nervous.

Pamper yourself! Have fun with it! You get to marry the love of your life! Own that shit girl! Confidence is sexy