Photographing your engagement ring: the definitive guide

After you’ve said ‘I do’, after the champagne has been popped and you’ve phoned mum and dad, most new fiancées are keen to share the big news. And what’s the most important part of an engagement announcement? A show-stopping, jaw-dropping photograph of your ring.

But getting that perfect glittering, luminous, and flattering shot of your engagement ring can be trickier than you think. So how do you avoid dull lighting and awkward poses?

You can either splash out on a professional photographer, or you can follow our definitive guide for taking a flawless self-portrait of your diamond ring. We’ve been in the wedding ring selfie game for years, and have rounded up our top five tips for getting an immaculate shot.

Close-up photographs let you take in all the detail of a ring’s design, but they’ll also put your hands and nails centre stage!

Skip worrying about dry skin or hang nails and treat yourself to a mini-manicure beforehand. It’ll let your ring be the focus and give you the confidence to strike a bold pose.

No time for a stop at the salon? Simply moisturise your hands with lotion and give your nails a quick scrub and you’ll be camera-ready in no time flat.

The focus may be on your ring, but every element of the photo matters. Picking a background that’ll give the engagement ring some contrast will go a long way in bringing out the overall wow-factor of your picture.

An option that never fails is to find a dark background close to a natural light source. Try turning off all the lights in a room and standing with your back against the window. Hold your hand at eye level and your hand will look like it’s in professional studio lighting—and you didn’t have to pay a penny!

Alternatively, find a rich and lush natural background to create a more atmospheric image. A hedge or flowerbed make a great backdrop, or if you’re lucky enough to be close to the coast, a seaside shot will always be stunning.

During your photoshoot, go big or go home. Take as many photos as your phone’s storage will allow and give yourself plenty of options to choose from. It’s always better to have too many choices rather than too few.

That being said, when it comes time to pick that perfect photograph, be discerning.

Take 1,000 photos and share one. Follow your guts and go with the photo that has real meaning to you and captures something special about your ring that no other photograph could.

And be sure to include your partner in the decision-making process. Odds are they played a role in designing or finding your ring in the first place, so they’ll probably have a poignant take on what makes it truly unique.