How To Take The Perfect Engagement Ring Selfie
Not just any ordinary selfie, the engagement ring selfie is now on everyone’s to-do list after they’ve got engaged. With so many emotions and people to tell, it’s the perfect memory of your special moment and the best way to announce to the world your exciting news - get ready for ALL of the Instagram likes!
Did you know? 42% of people now take an engagement selfie to share on social media, with 87% admitting that it was important for them to look good in the picture.
If you've ever tried to take a picture of your left hand (maybe after you’ve had your nails nicely manicured), you'll know that it's not the easiest thing to capture.
We asked our Head of Diamonds, Lorna Haddon, for her advice on how to nail that perfect Instagram post of your engagement ring.
1. Treat yourself to a manicure
“You’ve just become a bride-to-be so it’s only fair to congratulate yourself with a pamper day and a simple manicure! You could even opt for a little sparkle on your ring finger to complement your beautiful diamond.”
The number one priority for your engagement ring selfie - freshly done nails. If you get your nails regularly done then this will be the norm to you, but if don’t and you’ve just got engaged, why not treat yourself?
We’re loving these Beaverbrooks selfies from @nailsbybecky_s and @hannahorch - not only is it engagement ring goals, but the ultimate nail inspo!
2. Choose a brilliant background
“Choose a backdrop that will remind you of exactly where and when the proposal took place. Whether it’s somewhere exotic or some pretty background lights, it’ll add a little more colour and context to your selfie.”
Whether you’re taking the photo the minute you got proposed to, or you’re planning to do it later, consider the background you want to place your hand in front of.
These two engagement ring selfies from @zoeandrhyshome and @theholtstobe_ stand out for their brilliant backgrounds, capturing the special moment they got engaged.
3. Catch the sparkle
“If you’re taking the photo inside, use non-directional, soft lighting to capture the shot. If you’re shooting at night and your partner is with you, get them to put their flashlight on the ring to capture the true sparkle, instead of using flash on your camera.”
This might seem like common sense, but lighting plays a huge part in allowing your diamond to sparkle to its full potential.
You could always take a video rather than a picture, allowing you to move your hand around and show off the fire and brilliance from the diamond, but natural day light is key and will definitely work its magic.
Showing us how it’s done is @makingmemoriesatmayfield with her beautiful halo engagement ring and an abundance of natural light!
4. Capture a flattering angle
“Some engagement rings, such as emerald cut diamonds, are best captured from above to showcase their ‘hall of mirrors’ effect, but if your diamond has an intricate setting, point your fingers towards the camera slightly to show off the details.”
You’ve got your nails done and found your favourite backdrop, now it’s time to angle your pose. Props can help to angle you in a flattering way, like a flute glass, or holding your partner’s hand.
A different point of view can make for a truly romantic picture and a more natural pose, like these from @indiaflemming and @jenshomejournal.
5. Let your ring stand out
“To ensure your engagement ring is looking its best for the photo use a cleaning tool such as the Diamond Dazzle Stik to maximise the sparkle."
Let’s be honest, your engagement ring is the main star of the show in this selfie. The next step is to make sure your ring truly stands out.
But it’s not just about how clean your diamond is. When it comes to taking the photo, try and focus your camera to the centre of the ring like @indiaflemming - this will give a nice blur effect around the rest of the photo drawing your eyes to the diamond straight away.
6. Pose with your partner
“It’s a nice touch to get your partner involved in the shot, so you can create a special memory for you both to remember forever.”
If there’s ever a time to be sentimental, it’s now. Get your partner involved with the selfie - they proposed to you after all! It makes for a nice reminder of your engagement together, and a picture you’ll treasure.
We love how happy @megssrose and @sara_louise02 are in these pictures.
7. Get creative
It’s a huge announcement, so why not make a statement? Have fun with your selfie and think of creative ways you can tell your story. Include any furry friends, children or messages to your photo for extra sentiment - like @apomcalledbeau, look at the paw!
If you’ve got engaged at a similar time to your bestie, you could strike a pose together for another memory to add to your friendship. Follow in @suzydoherty_ style and snap a pic with your best friend.
8. Play around with filters
“Taking your photo in natural light always works best when capturing diamonds but filters and editing tools can help to enhance your engagement ring’s true beauty. You can also play around the warmth and exposure to help define the detail of your ring. Adjusting the sharpness will also help to ensure your diamond is looking its brilliant best.”
Or go for a simple black and white finish. Eliminating the distraction of colour allows the main focus to be the centre diamond, often getting us looking at the shot a little longer. We love how meaningful @mfw98 engagement ring selfie is.
9. Find the perfect lighting
Getting the perfect lighting is the key to any great selfie, and it’s essential for your engagement ring selfie too. Taking yours in natural lighting is a good place to start, going outdoors means you can capture an amazing background whilst maintaining wonderful lighting. Remember to make sure the light is not too bright or too dark before capturing your photo.
Show off the sparkle on your new ring with a naturally lit outdoors shot. We’re loving how @summerwinning and @_amyk_xx have incorporated bright backgrounds into their shots to capture their beautiful rings.
We love seeing your engagement ring selfies, so don't forget to share your special moments with us on Instagram by tagging #ByBeaverbrooks on @beaverbrooksthejewellers. Whether you’re thinking of proposing or just want to see which ring suits your style best, take our Engagement Ring Style Quiz to find out!
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