7 Reasons Why You NEED Engagement Photos!
Since I've blogged a few, okay maybe a BUNCH, about making the most of your engagement shoot (from what to wear to when and where to take them), you might assume that I think engagement shoots are pretty important. You'd be right! I think engagement portraits are so vital that I include a complimentary engagement session in all of my wedding collections. Being newly engaged, you might be wondering if engagement photos are important, why everyone seems to do them and heck, even if you want to do them.
Here are seven reasons why I think you should definitely value engagement photos and get them taken:
Your wedding photographer is so much more than just a random person hiding behind the lens and a clicking shutter! Your photographer is a person who will be with you for HOURS, basically your entire day on your wedding day, capturing intimate moments and documenting one of the most important and emotional days of your lives. Let's face it, if you have never met or even seen your photographer up until this day, things have the potential to get pretty awkward. An engagement session allows time for us to spend time together, and get to know each other. Somehow, there is always a bit more sparkle in my couple’s eyes when they have had a engagement session with me, and already know and trust me on the other side of the camera for their most important day of their lives.
Almost EVERYONE feels nervous by a camera pointed right in their direction- ME INCLUDED! Don’t fear about going stiff or awkward in front of the lens during our session- because you won’t! I will focus on making you feel comfortable and capture your personalities on camera- while having fun, laughter and all! You might really be into candid moments aka laughing and having a blast with each other while I photograph those moments. You may love going for a walk in the forrest with your dogs, or be into vintage comic book shops! Whatever the case, you want to book a photographer that can photograph YOU- as a couple and has skills to capture your real personality. When your family gets to see your engagement photos they can say “Yup, thats (enter your name here)!” My goal is to make you feel relaxed, and capture you being yourselves in a beautiful and fitting setting for your engagement session. After those first few shots, you'll be amazed at how comfortable and natural you can feel- and how much fun we will have! Having an engagement shoot gives you a chance to develop that comfort with me BEFORE your wedding day.
In the fast pace society today, sometimes it can be hard to find time just for the two of you when you're not distracted by iphones, work or errands. During your engagement shoot, you get a few hours of time just together in privacy, focusing on one another ... in fact, your photos will turn out SO much better if the two of you really focus on the connection and love between you while you're being photographed. I always tell my couples to make a fun day out of it! You are already dressed up, your hyped up on love, go out and do something fun after the session! Make it a full day memory and a fun date day not just another wedding check list item. Engagement sessions are FUN and romantic!
When you are selecting the wedding professionals that are going to make you look your best on your wedding day, going to go into a agreement blindly can be scary! Most hair and/or make-up artists will provide a scheduled trial prior to the wedding day to ensure they have the perfect look on you. Combine this trial with the engagement session, and it is the perfect opportunity to see how you are going to look on camera! (minus the gown). Not only does it serve as a trial, but typically if you come to your session with professional make-up application, you feel great about how you look! You also will have a better understanding of what adjustments, if any, need to be made for the wedding day. Women that typically wear little to no make-up daily may feel intimidated about rocking a full finished look from a professional make-up artist, but when they see their images it’s almost always a no brainer they were happy about. So if you have a artist that offers you a trial, use it during your engagement session! You are getting full made up, why not get professional photos out of the free trial?
When was the last time in your adult life you hired a photographer to take beautiful, artistically created photographs to mark a particular moment of your lives? If you’re like most people, you’ll say nope, never. Your wedding portraits will be cherished forever, but having professional portraits of the two of you in more non-wedding clothing gives you many additional images that you can use in so many different ways. Your wedding photos will be very clearly tied to that specific event, but your engagement photos can be super unique, fun and beautiful! Its great to take advantage during your engagement part of your love story to have beautiful photos during to keep and cherish forever. Your engagement session may be your time to honestly say, “This is us! In all beginning of our love story when we got engaged! This is not only how we looked but how we felt about each other for all the world to see leading up to our marriage!” You will honestly, cherish these photographs.
Save the date cards, thank you cards, a wedding website, a guest book ... all of these are ideas will only benefit your wedding planning process. You can do SO much with your beautiful engagement photos!
Another great reason for getting an engagement session is the fact that you get to practice in front of the camera! Feedback always helps before the big day. An engagement is sort of a ‘posing test-run’ in this sense. I always feel out my couples during a engagement session - because everyone is unique! When you get the photographs back from your session, you can see all the various poses and prompts we did during the session. Maybe there is one pose you didn’t think you would like, but ended up LOVING it- let me know! That way, when your wedding rolls around, I will remember what you loved. Being in front of the camera also will have you practice and warm up. I can count so many times a couple will say they want to skip the session because they may feel like they will be stiff, and being super nervous for being in front of a professional photographer for the first time but by the end of the session the couple is relaxed and laughing along with me. Every single couple has said how much fun they had during our session and how glad they are they jumped in and did the session with full trust with me we would have a blast!
Here are some other posts with helpful tips for couples!
12 Tips From Your Wedding Photographer
Why Should We Do a First Look?
Popular NJ/PA Engagement Session Locations
Are you convinced? I hope so! I love engagement sessions, and I would love for every couple to have one, that is such a positive and fun experience!
-----------> If you have decided that you want to have amazing engagement photos taken, I would LOVE to be the one to help check that off your list for you! Click here to fill out my contact form.
I will get back to you right away to talk about your wedding plans!
