You’ve fallen in love, you’ve gotten engaged, and now you can’t wait for the wedding! Chances are you’re a little frazzled with all of the wedding planning and then your photographer mentions an engagement session. You might be thinking: Why would I do that? Or maybe a friend already already did them, so why would I do that again with my wedding photographer?

Well, here are a few reasons of the importance of an engagement session:

YOU GET TO KNOW YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER

An engagement session is the perfect opportunity to get to know your photographer before the wedding day. Building a relationship with your photographer allows a level of trust and comfort. You want to feel comfortable around someone who will have a camera around you all day. Remember, your photographer is with you more than your husband/wife is on the day of your wedding, MORE THAN ANYONE else, so the connection is key to the success of the engagement session. They are your best friend, your therapist cat herder, personal comedian, your calming presence, number one supporter…and then finally a photographer.

YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER GETS TO KNOW YOU

Your photographer NEEDS to see how you and your fiancé interact with each other so they can better direct you on the way of the wedding. Knowing your good side, what lighting is more flattering on you, how to prep you, your skin tones, what makes you nervous, the joking style you like…We have to know you to do our job and deliver an amazing service.

YOU CAN USE YOUR PHOTOS FOR MULTIPLE THINGS

When you take engagement photos it is not only for you and your fiancé to enjoy, it’s for all of your loved ones to enjoy, as well! Many couples use their photos for Save the Dates, invitations, and also for gorgeous prints or book to display at your wedding. Some couples like to make an engagement album and have their guests sign it during the wedding. Cool idea, right?

YOU GET A TON OF PHOTOGRAPHS

With a 2 hour session or longer, I encourage two outfits; one classy and one casual. This is another chance to be in a BEAUTIFUL gown and get killer photographs with no pressure of time or the nerves of the wedding or lateness that sometimes happens. Weddings don’t always go as planned and having amazing engagement photographs gets to be an extension of your photography experience.

YOU GET TO PUT THE DRESS REHEARSAL TO GOOD USE

Hair and makeup play a huge role on your wedding day, which means you should be doing a trail with your beautifying team. This is a great way to get use out of your test run. Schedule it on the same day as your engagement session, and see how you like what they’ve done.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

Most people are not professionally photographed but a handful of times in their life, so a massive camera chasing you for 10 hours on your wedding day can be intimidating. Here is your chance to practice, get the nerves out, and see what you look like in front of my lens before the big day!

All in all, having an engagement session experience is a blast and the benefits are boundless. If you are reading this and considering another photographer, make sure to get an engagement session! With me, it’s included in most of my collections.

Fill out my contact form, and I’ll be in touch! To see more examples of my engagement sessions, visit my Portfolio page.