Your 2025 Guide to an Engagement Session in Mallorca
Everything You Wanted to Know About the Perfect Engagement Photos in Mallorca
You’re engaged — a huge congratulations! It’s an exciting time in your life and, if you are here, I am sure you are eagerly planning the most exciting engagement session. And as a local Mallorca photographer, I truly hope that you consider this beautiful island for your engagement session. To help you get started, I have created this guide to answer all your questions about engagement sessions in Mallorca.
Having a photo session here is more than just a pretty background and the most magnificent golden hour (which it is, without doubt, both of these). Choosing to have an engagement session in Mallorca is a statement. It is a statement to the world that shows your adventurous side, your free spirit, and your love of culture. Mallorca is a place that attracts a certain type of person — one that is both discerning and curious.
Have an Engagement Session in Mallorca?
Have an Engagement Session in Mallorca?
why
An engagement session not only captures the excitement and emotion of your pre-wedding journey but also provides a relaxed setting to connect deeply with each other away in a place that is special to you both.
Secondly, these sessions serve as a great trial run for your wedding day. If you aren’t one to get in front of the camera often, it can help you get more comfortable and learn what angles and poses you prefer.
Lastly, engagement photos are incredibly versatile. They can be used for save-the-dates, wedding invitations, or to simply decorate your home with personal and meaningful artwork.
why have an engagement (or pre-wedding) session at all?
but
why have an engagement
(or pre-wedding) session at all?
but
Cap Rocat
Another one of my favorite hotels on the island is Cap Rocat. Like Belmond La Residencia, you do need to have a room at the hotel to photograph there but staying at Cap Rocat is a dreamy experience and I highly recommend it. A former fortress turned luxury hotel,
Cap Rocat is nothing short of perfection. It is perfect if you want an ocean backdrop with unique and stunning architecture to complement the luxurious setting. Sunsets here are particularly amazing.
Follow this link for more images from this famous property.
Belmond La Residencia
For both an extraordinary experience and a stunning engagement location, I highly recommend Belmond La Residencia. A striking contrast to the beach setting described above, this luxury hotel is surrounded by the Tramuntana Mountains and overlooks Deià. At Belmond La Residencia, we have access to lush gardens and stunning views. You must be a guest to have an engagement session here but it is absolutely worth both the stay and the session.
I have an entire blog post dedicated to Belmond La Residencia. You can learn more here.
Secret Beach Locations
There are so many beautiful beach locations in Mallorca. The problem? The crowds.
Luckily, I have a few secret places that my couples love time and time again. Each location has mesmerizing light, incredible sandy beaches, mountain views (at one location), and lots of interesting rock formations and sand dunes. I love the variety that these spaces hold while being able to get away from the crowds. It’s absolute perfection.
I always schedule my beach sessions during the golden hour, where the light from the setting sun gives a delicious, magical quality to everything it touches. This particular type of location has become a specialty of mine and is where I create many of my trademark images that you see.
Olive Grove in the Serra de Tramuntana
Imagine gorgeous ancient olive trees and breathtaking views that reach the distant ocean and a calm that is so filling that it feels like there is no one, except the chirping birds, — it is truly magical.
Mallorca is bursting with locations that scream romance, making it a haven for engagement photo shoots. Here are my personal favorites, some of which are absolute local secrets that I only share with my clients:
Cala Figuera
I am always scouting new locations around Mallorca and love nothing more than finding new and fun places to photograph couples.
Cala Figuera has quickly become one of my favorite villages in Mallorca; it provides a quaint and picturesque harbor setting with water that is an awe-inspiring shade of turquoise blue. The boats, water, and traditional white houses of the area all combine to create a colorful and lively scene — a quintessential Mediterranean feel.
This village is perfect for your photo session if you love nothing more than finding beautiful, “undiscovered” places.
Botanicactus, Ses Salines
For something completely different, consider the Botanicactus Gardens in Ses Salines. With an extensive collection of cacti, palms, and other succulents, the gardens offer a diverse and stunning landscape that contrasts beautifully with the typical coastal scenes. Cacti generally bloom in Mallorca in May and June giving an even more vibrant background.
This is one of my newest location discoveries and I would love to photograph a session here — it is truly such an interesting and unique place; very different yet still giving a traditional Mallorcan feel.
The best locations for a Photoshoot in Mallorca
Mallorca shines differently across the seasons, each offering unique atmospheres for engagement photos. You really can’t go wrong during any season, and the weather is often beautiful and sunny. Here are a few of my personal thoughts:
High-season (or tourist season) is generally from May-September. This is when the island is at its busiest; the temperatures are at their warmest and the atmosphere is festive and lively. At the beginning of high-season is when you see more of the blooming flora that overtakes the island (think stunning bougainvillea). I do want to mention that high-season definitely means crowds, and location options might be a bit more limited.
High-Season
Selecting the Perfect Season for your engagement photos
Low season is the off-season for tourism but is still very beautiful here — and sometimes more appealing due to the lack of crowds. There are fewer people to contend with during photo sessions and the light, especially in the thick of winter, is magical. Personally, I feel that the sunsets are more spectacular in the off-season. Plus, there are still quite a bit of colorful and vibrant blooms — the almond tree for example blooms in February.
As a photographer, most of my weddings are from May to September. Planning an engagement session in the off-season means I can offer more flexibility in my schedule and more options in regard to locations (since fewer people are on the island). The only downside to the winter months is that the weather can be a bit chilly, but I think it is still worth considering an off-season session.
Low-Season
While style is important, comfort should not be compromised. Opt for outfits that allow you to move freely and are suitable for the Mallorcan climate. Also, avoid clothing that limits certain movements, like sitting down. Overly tight clothing limits the types of poses we can do.
A local planner will help you navigate legalities, recommend trusted vendors, and ensure a smooth planning process.
See my list of The Top 10 Wedding Planners in Mallorca here
Coordinating your outfits will bring harmony to your photos without looking too uniform. Consider complementary colors and styles.
What Not to Wear
Shoes
Shoes are very important. Keep it classic; keep it simple and match them to your outfit. The only exception is for beach sessions. You won’t need shoes at all if we go to the beach.
Coordinate But Don’t Match
I always tell my clients to avoid wearing polo shirts and shorts. Prints and patterns on clothing are distracting and easily date a photo. I also recommend that you avoid darker colors, especially for photos in nature. Darker colors can easily be overpowering.
Comfort is Key
Palma de Mallorca, with its historic architecture, provides a rich urban backdrop. If you prefer a more sophisticated, classic look with tailored suits and cocktail dresses this would be the right place to dress up.
Urban Settings
For natural settings, light, airy fabrics work beautifully. Think flowing dresses, wide-brimmed hats, two-piece outfits — anything that is less structured and more casual. For men, I recommend wearing long pants (linen or chinos work great) and a light-colored shirt. Colors such as soft blues, off-whites, and pastels reflect the serene vibe of Mallorca’s coastal settings.
Natural Environment
good to know
good to know
General Tips for a Mallorca Wedding
What to Wear for Your Mallorca Engagement Shoot
Choosing the right outfit for your engagement shoot in Mallorca will significantly influence the look and feel of your photos. It sets the tone and complements the backdrop, which in Mallorca can range from sandy beaches to ancient alleys. Here are some tips on choosing outfits for various Mallorcan settings:
Look at Pinterest and other engagement sessions (you can see some of mine here), to get inspiration and ideas for what works well in images.
Four Pro Tips for better photos
Hair and Makeup
I highly recommend getting your hair and makeup professionally done to enhance your natural beauty and give you a boost of self-confidence. It will make a huge difference in your photos!
You can use this time to schedule a hair and makeup trial for your wedding day.
Golden Hour
The best light for flattering portraits in Mallorca is the golden hour. That's the hour right after sunrise and also right before sunset. Mid-day sunlight is very harsh in the Mediterranean and not ideal.
Plus, the golden light in the Mediterranean is truly something special. It is unlike anywhere else I have seen.
My preferred starting time for photos is one and a half hours to two hours before sunset. I have found this to be the best time to capture all of the yummy golden light.
Be Natural
There is no reason to be nervous. I work with regular people just like you all of the time and will guide you through the entire session so you can be your genuine, authentic selves.
The first ten minutes are almost always awkward — it's normal and it will get easier!
I will help you to interact with each other naturally and will only on occasion ask you to look at the camera. Most of the time you will be interacting with each other.
Incorporate Movement
Static poses can look stiff and unnatural. Instead, we will incorporate movement like walking hand in hand or twirling to capture dynamic and spontaneous images.
Again, I will direct you on how to incorporate movement. It may seem silly at times but trust me, I know how to create the magic.
Knowing what to expect from your session with me is important, so let me outline how I approach each session.
The planning part of an engagement session in Mallorca is such a fun experience and I am genuinely excited to help you plan your shoot.
First off, I almost always help decide on a location. Rarely do my clients come to me knowing exactly where they want their session and that is totally fine. We’ll chat and I will get to know you both a bit. From that, I will make some recommendations based on your preferred scenery and the locations that I know will work best for what you envision for the session.
Next, I create a mood board to help you visualize what we are aiming for. A mood board is amazing for narrowing down the vibe of the shoot — are we going for playful, natural, editorial, etc? The mood board also includes ideas for clothing. I will also include some inspiration for poses. This one little tool brings everything together and ensures we approach your session with direction and intention.
I want you to know that I am always available to help you out as you plan your session — what’s better than having a local expert at your fingertips?
Before our Session
What to Expect
From Your Mallorca Engagement Session
During the session, as I mentioned above, I am there to guide you throughout the entire process. It always feels awkward at first, and that is normal, but I know how to direct you in a way that feels natural and comfortable. My clients always comment on how easy (and fun!) I made the shoot. Even the most camera-shy of my clients come away with images that they love.
During our Session
After the session, I will send you a preview of your images within 1 week. I will deliver the final gallery in 4-6 weeks, depending on the season. Your images will be presented in a beautiful online gallery. From here, you can download your high resolution digital files. You will also receive 40 professional prints from me - shipped directly to you, no matter where you are located.
After our Session
Generally, we only need one location to really capture the Mallorcan experience. Most of the locations that I suggest have several different scenes which helps create different looks. If you are set on two locations, just know that we would need at least three hours, including travel time. It is easy to underestimate how big Mallorca is.
How many locations can we go to?
Yes! I talk more about this above but 100% yes.
Will you guide us during the session?
I highly recommend getting a rental car, both for our photo session and for your vacation! If you have a car you will get to see all of the beautiful diversity that Mallorca offers. If renting a car is not an option, we can see if shooting at your hotel or at a nearby site is an option.
Can you arrange transportation?
Absolutely. Email me and I will connect you to my favorites!
Do you have any local hair and makeup artists to recommend?
This all depends on the package that you get but my standard minimums are between 50-80 images.
How many images will we receive?
My engagement sessions are usually an hour and a half but I don’t shoot by the clock. I much prefer shooting until we get the images that we are after.
How long is a regular engagement session?
Frequently asked questions
I will send you a preview of 5-10 photos within 1 week. Your full gallery will be ready within 4-6 weeks depending on the season.
You will receive a link to your personal online gallery which you can then share with your friends and family. You can download your high resolution images without watermark directly from the gallery.
WHEN AND HOW WILL WE receive OUR IMAGES?
Simply get in touch via my contact page. To secure your session a retainer of 100€ is required.
HOW DO WE BOOK YOU?
“We are simply delighted with all of your beautiful photos.”
Thank you for creating such special memories for us which we will keep forever and hopefully show our children one day.
— Isabella & Thomas, UK
Hi, I'm maria
At home near the sea, picking oranges in the garden, always exploring and celebrating those moments that leave me in awe.
I am a German-American but Mallorca is where my heart is the happiest. I live on this beautiful island with my tattoo artist husband and our son Indy who we named after the great adventurer.
When we got married almost 19 years ago I knew I found my soulmate. I moved from Germany to Texas for him and now we live on a Spanish island. This place is an endless well of inspiration for me, so beautiful and magical it's hard to describe.
I love a day that starts with snuggles, sunshine and a cup of coffee - team decaf here! And even better when the day ends with friends and family gathered around the dinner table, sharing stories and a homemade meal.
© MARIA HIBBS 2024