How to Display Your Engagement Ring Most Prominently in Photos

Newly engaged coupled toasting in champagne.

Just got engaged? Congratulations!

You’re sure to be keen to share the happy news with the world, but step away from that phone camera for just a minute and read the guide below for all the tips you need to display your new bling to perfection. From manually adjusting the camera flash to softly blurring the background, these hacks will ensure your engagement ring is the star of the show.

Prep Your Hands

Before getting ready to take your exciting engagement ring shots, don’t forget to prepare your hands so they look their best: they’re the stage on which your ring is going to shine in the photos. This means giving them a good pamper, with plenty of moisturizer if you have any patches of dry skin, filing your nails neatly, and maybe even splashing out on a manicure. You may wish to paint the nail on your ring finger a different ring color from the rest to better stand out.

Related: Engagement photos at Grand Central Terminal


Hand Positioning

There are loads of options when it comes to positioning your hand for the photo, but the key thing to remember is to keep the focus on the ring itself. To this end, any props used shouldn’t run the risk of detracting from the ring. Holding your new fiance’s hand, having the hand rest on the stems of a flower bouquet, or having the hand held out towards the camera with you and your partner blurred in the background are all good options.

Take Lots of Shots

To make sure you get the image that showcases the engagement ring to perfection, take lots of shots so you can choose the best one. This is especially the case if you’re photographing outside, where the weather, natural lighting, and many other factors come into play. Don’t rush things, and take photos from a variety of different angles, too. Ultimately, the more images you have to select from, the better.

Marriage proposal by St. Catherine's Chapel in Fayetteville, AR
 

Focus on the Bling

You want the engagement ring to be the star of the show, so be sure to focus on the bling when taking photos - you could even have the background softly blurred to make the diamond stand out dazzlingly in the foreground. Play with the contrast settings and filters on your camera or phone to find the best effect to ensure that all eyes are on the sparkler. And talking of bling, in all the excitement of the engagement and wedding planning, don’t forget to insure your engagement ring, just in case. Insurance can typically protect your precious ring against loss or damage and is a good way to get peace of mind.

Be Wary of Using the Flash

While turning the flash on is generally a good idea in low lighting, when it comes to photographing your engagement ring, it can cause excessive highlights around the ring due to reflections from the stone. To get around this, manually set your flash to a lower setting, which should resolve the problem.

Capture the Ring Alone

Alternatively, you may wish to take a photo of simply the engagement ring - perhaps displayed in its presentation box, on the petals of a flower, or in a shell: the sky’s the limit, and you can get as creative as you like. Incorporating personal elements into the setting or background is really effective, too. This could be a good option if there are intricate details of the ring that you’d like captured, such as an engraving on the inner band, that wouldn’t be clearly picked up otherwise.

A man pouring his fiancé a glass of champagne.
 

More Tips for the Perfect Engagement Ring Shot

There are plenty more things you can do to achieve the perfect engagement ring shot to post on your social media pages, to email your family and friends, or get framed. Like these:

  • Be sure the engagement ring is as clean as possible to best capture its sparkle. Give it a clean at home, or pop in into a jeweler’s to get this done professionally.

  • Keep your hand and fingers relaxed for the most natural shot.

  • Experiment with an editing app once you’ve taken the photo to adjust the contrast or brightness, for example.

  • Find an exciting or meaningful background, such as a nighttime city skyline, a beach, or a forest canopy.

  • Consider getting a photographer to capture the shots for you - many professionals offer special engagement packages.

  • Feel free to add a caption or a few words about the engagement story to your image or post.


Final Thoughts: Giving Your Engagement Ring a Stage on Which to Shine

Capture the magic and excitement of your engagement with the perfect engagement ring photo to share with loved ones. Use the guide above, and add a big dash of your personality and creativity to achieve the image that represents this momentous event and the shared love that underpins it. 

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