Why do an engagement session with your wedding photographer
We place a lot of emphasis in our couple’s wedding photography experience on personal connection. We love just having our couples as friends, but as professionals, getting to know each other makes a huge impact on a wedding day. And a significant part in forming this relationship is the engagement session.
You’re getting ready to hire your photographer, and you may be asking yourself, “do I need an engagement session?”
We actually notice a difference in the trust factor and flow of a wedding day when we are able to take engagement photos prior to the wedding day.
Naturally, there is always a period of establishing trust when you meet someone. Especially from the couple to the photographer. Even though they may trust us from the photos they looked at, or by chatting with us over a video call, that trust increases exponentially when we meet in person and get to “practice” taking photos!
Just like there’s a period of establishing trust, there’s also a period of figuring out what getting your picture taken feels like. You won’t feel comfortable immediately. I always tell our couples that it takes about 15-20 minutes to “warm up.” You’ll relax, forget about the camera a little bit, and let your personalities and relationship come through!
We notice this trial period goes completely away when we’ve had an engagement session! Our couples know exactly what to expect on their wedding day.
Engagement photography sessions are great for so many reasons. Of course the photos are amazing, but you’ll notice that my reasons don’t even include, “Get 200 photos of you and your fiance!” I will note though: Engagement sessions allow you to take photos in places that are significant to you that you may not get to visit on your wedding day (think: first date location, your favorite spot, epic destinations, etc.).
Okay, back to the reasons!
Do I need an engagement session? Four reasons to do an engagement session with your wedding photographer!
1. Get comfortable with your wedding day photographers
You will be comfortable with us by the end of your engagement session.
You will be comfortable in front of our camera. We’ll walk into your wedding day feeling like we’ve known each other forever. There’s no, “Oh this is kind of weird” feeling on your wedding day! You get that over during your engagement session! This is my NUMBER ONE reason for doing an engagement session with your wedding photographer. If for no other reason, this is it. Trust me! We notice a difference.
2. Practice posing
We use natural poses, but there may be certain angles or core poses that are more flattering or that bring out your genuine connection. It’s different for everybody. We have core poses that we go to, but when we have an engagement session with our couples, we are able to establish what works better for that couple. And most importantly, you will be so familiar with how we photograph you. You’ll be pros on your wedding day!
Plus, it’s always great to have some time to let your personalities come through in front of the camera! It’s hard to completely be yourself when you are in front of the camera for the first time. It takes a little time to relax and forget about the cameras. If we can get that part over with in the first 20 minutes of your engagement session, you’ll feel completely comfortable during your wedding day portraits!
3. Test your wedding day hair and makeup
Taking engagement photos often works as a great trial run for your wedding day hair and makeup! (Or just the makeup if you don’t want to ruin the full look surprise!) If you already have your hair and makeup artist, schedule a trial before your engagement session. You’ll see what your makeup looks like in photos, rather than just in a mirror. You’ll know exactly what you want to tweak for your wedding day!
As a bonus, you’ll have professional hair and makeup done for your engagement session!
4. Again: Get comfortable with your photographers!
I cannot stress this point enough. Even if you don’t feel like you “need” engagement photos, that’s okay. But I highly encourage doing an engagement session for every reason but needing the photos! (Okay, the photos are great. But the advantages of doing the engagement session with your wedding photographer are even greater. It impacts those wedding day photos that you’ll hang, print, share and cherish forever!).
Questions about your engagement session, or how our wedding photography process works? Send me a message here!
Check out some of our engagement session galleries here!
