WHY ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS ARE IMPORTANT!
Lately, I’ve talked to a few people and have seen a few things that remind me of the importance of engagement photos and why an engagement photo session shouldn't be skipped. I find engagement photos so important that I offer them as complementary in all of my wedding packages!
Couples generally think that engagement sessions are just for the photos, however that isn’t the case; it is truly doing yourself a huge disservice to skip an engagement photo session. As I mentioned, the engagement photo session is not just about the photos; while photos are very helpful for your ‘save the dates’, to blow up and use as wall art, and for using in your wedding décor, getting the photos is not the only purpose of this session. The primary benefit of doing an engagement photo session is that you really get to know your wedding photographer and getting the photos is just a bonus! If you don’t do engagement photos with your wedding photographer, and you've only ever talked to them through email or zoom, the photographer will essentially be a stranger when they show up to your wedding- if they show up at all. Your wedding day is such an intimate and important day; imagine how much more comfortable you'll feel seeing someone you have worked with and trust there to capture your special day- rather than a complete stranger you hired. And let’s be honest. An engagement photo session gives you a chance to see if you and your photographer are a good fit. You’ll get to know your photographer’s style and you can communicate your expectations with them. I have seen people disappointed with their engagement photos or- even worse- never get them from the photographer at all. And, although getting bad or no engagement photos is unfortunate, those bad experiences could be a warning example of how your wedding day will go with your photographer.
And not everyone is accustomed to being in front of a professional camera. An engagement photo session allows you and your partner to practice posing, interacting, and getting comfortable with the photographer’s directions. It can also be a fun and relaxing break from the wedding planning process; it’s an opportunity to spend quality time with your partner away from the hustle and bustle of wedding preparations and simply enjoy each other’s company… it’s a chance to create memories, laugh and have a good time, all the while capturing beautiful images that reflect you and your partner’s love for each other.
After your engagement photo session is over, you might actually find that you prefer certain angles more than others- that certain positions flatter you more. Of course, it’s the photographer’s job to pose you, but your opinion of the photos matter and, if you learn that you like the right side of your face more than the left side, that is really valuable knowledge that you might have not learned if you hadn’t done the engagement photo session. Also, it gives the photographer a chance to see how you and your fiancé naturally connect with one another, one-on-one, before your wedding day.
Lastly, an engagement photo session is the perfect opportunity to do a makeup trial-run before your wedding day. Sometimes, people do a makeup trial run during their bridal shower, but if you are not going to have the bridal shower captured, I highly recommend you do a makeup trial-run during your engagement photo session to see how your makeup will look in professional photos. The engagement photo session can help you identify if you need to make adjustments or changes to your makeup; you can check for issues such as makeup smudging, oxidizing, or fading during the engagement session, so you can ensure that your makeup will stay flawless on your big day.
With an engagement session, you’re knocking multiple birds out with one stone and, while staying organized and being prepared for anything is key in life, it is absolutely essential for your wedding day. Things will happen and everything won’t go as planned, but thinking ahead and planning will only help ensure that your special day is a success- allowing you to relax and enjoy the moment on the actual big day. An engagement session truly is an experience that allows you to bond with your partner, express your unique love story, build a relationship with your photographer, and capture memories that will last a lifetime. So, before you tie the knot, consider scheduling an engagement session to enhance your wedding experience and create beautiful images that will be cherished for years to come. Contact me to book your engagement session and lets capture your forever love story!
