How to master taking the perfect engagement ring photo

Proposals are often one of the most memorable, special and magical moments in a couples life, so it's only natural they want to share this joyous news with their friends, family and colleagues.

In 2023, one of the most common ways for couples to share the news of their engagement is through social media. Couples often post gorgeous pictures in real time of themselves along with the dazzling engagement ring. Sharing the news via social media is a quick and easy way of telling your loved ones the news without having to individually call everyone, which can be overwhelming and time consuming. However, taking the perfect photo can be a bit of a challenge. Whilst it's not a competition to see who has the biggest ring and whose ring sparkles the most, a lot of people want their ring to look as desirable and shimmering as possible.

With that in mind, Karolina Bajda in-house photographer at Queensmith and Wedding photographer Tom Bennett have shared their top expert tips on how to get that perfect insta-worthy engagement ring shot.

1.Lighting
With couples feeling on cloud 9 after getting engaged, it's tempting to grab hold of the phone, put the flash on and take a quick photo to send around.

However, Tom says that "using artificial light can lead to blurred, unnatural images that won't capture the beautiful characteristics of the engagement ring, whilst also making the ring look flat."

"Instead, opt for diffused natural light to help you produce a great looking photo. A mixture of hard and soft light can also be extremely beneficial to show off the gorgeous diamond."

Of course, you can't choose where you're being proposed to and sometimes you might have to take the picture inside. If this is the case, Tom says "make sure you take your photo next to the window to get some natural lighting. Alternatively, ask someone to use the torch on their phone to create some light."

Although we might think taking a picture of our engagement ring in the sun will make it look its best, it's not always the case, Karolina states "direct sunlight can actually make the stone appear dark on camera. Instead place your hand by surfaces that bounce a nice, diffused light into the ring. Positioning yourself in the shade can actually make the diamond pop beautifully!"

2.Angles
Just as people use different angles to get the most flattering pictures of themselves, rings are the same. It just depends on the type of look you're going for.

Wanting to make the ringer look bigger? Or maybe more delicate? Achieving the desired effect largely hinges on capturing the right angles. Karolina suggests "the best advice I can give is to keep photographing, moving and testing! It's important to see how the diamond responds to different lighting, angles and the environment."

Tom says "taking a picture from a high angle can give an engagement ring a more delicate look to it, but if you shoot from a low angle, the ring will look bigger and more dramatic."

"However, It's important to remember that certain cuts of diamond photograph differently. A simple rectangular cut will look good from above to show off its shape, yet a ring with a more detailed cut would benefit from a slight angle to the photo to show off its intricate features."

3.Avoid glare
Phones are a great way of taking a good quality photo without having to bring a heavy camera with you everywhere you go. However, when it comes to taking photos on your smartphone, Tom suggests that "it's best to avoid taking a photo in direct light as this could create a glare. Instead you should put your hand over the camera lens to block the light or change your camera angle ever so slightly to keep the light from hitting your lens directly."

4.Background
Backgrounds can pose a challenge, as you might find yourself in a breathtaking setting that you want to feature in your photo, or you could be facing a plain, ordinary wall. Both can serve as suitable backgrounds, but it's essential to ensure they don't overshadow the main attraction: the ring!

Karolina says "bright, white rooms help the metal band stay light and shiny. Your clothing also affects the reflection in the band as it's the closest and biggest surface in its immediate surrounding."

Tom says "you can't go wrong with a minimal background, because anything too busy will take the importance off the main part of the image. I would personally always use a slightly darker background to make the hand and ring pop. It's also important to choose a background that reminds you of where the engagement took place so you can look back on the picture and feel everything you felt on that special day."

If you're wanting to share the news by posting a photo of the ring itself, Karolina advises to "use white paper to enclave the ring, leaving a gap for you to take a photo. This trick provides an even distribution and bounce of light around it for a perfect shot."

Finally, Karolina reminds us " the photo isn't all about the ring! Your family, friends and Instagram followers will respond to the emotive photos you capture of yourself and your partner" so have fun with capturing the moment.