I’d like to encourage those of you who are planning your wedding to incorporate an engagement session into your plans. You're probably asking yourself, “why”? Believe it or not I have legitimate reasons as to why I not only encourage but recommend it! Seven reasons to be precise!

#1 An engagement session will allow you a stress-free place to learn about posing together in front of the camera.

Most couples I work with have not spent a lot of time in front of a camera together. There are certain adjustments that can help you go from looking slightly uncomfortable and a bit awkward to looking incredibly natural! These adjustments can be taught during an engagement session, where you have the time to learn without the worry about rushing off to get to your reception!

#2 It will give you a chance to arrive at your wedding “camera ready” and comfortable for the portrait portion of the day.

90% of the couples I work with describe themselves as a little camera shy. Taking the time to have an engagement session before the wedding allows you to get the “shyness” out of your system. Thus, when it comes time for the wedding portraits, your personalities will really shine through, which is always appreciated! This will alleviate some stress on your wedding day, as you will already be used to posing for the camera together!

#3 Having an engagement session allows you to show up to your wedding being friends with your photographer!

An engagement session isn't just about the photos, it's about getting to get to know you! One of my favorite parts of an engagement session is getting to chat with you and ask you questions.  Chances are, you’ll also find out a lot about me and by the time your session is over, we’ll have moved from acquaintances to friends!  Thus, when your wedding day arrives, it won’t be a stranger introducing themselves to you, it will be a friend. Having someone you already feel comfortable with is a huge burden off you. I promise, it will make all the life changing events of the rest of the day seem a little easier and more exciting!

#4 It allows you and your fiance to have awesome photos in a setting that is unique to you!

Wedding venues and attire tend to look a certain way. However, your engagement session gives you the chance to go anywhere and wear anything you want!  You can choose a location which has significance to you and your relationship, and outfits which show off your personality! Are you the type of couple who love the outdoors? Do your weekend activities involve wearing trail shoes more often than heels? Great! Plan your engagement session to be a hike and wear your outdoor gear!  You’ll end up with photos of the two of you you’ll love to post on your social media and print for your home that really speak to who you are as a couple!

#5 It will boost your confidence at your wedding

When it comes to portrait photography, it’s safe to say that there are more people out there who feel out of place in front of a camera than those who thrive in front of one. For many couples, the biggest worry is looking “stiff” or “awkward” in their wedding photos. The best way I know to dispel that worry is by doing an engagement session. It’s a great low-pressure way to boost your confidence in front of a camera and you’ll end up with gorgeous, natural-looking images! I can always tell the difference in confidence levels between my couples who have had me shoot their engagements portraits and those who haven’t. If you do an engagement session, I can promise that you’ll be more relaxed and confident on your big day! Plus, you’ll know the type of images you’ll want captured, which leads to better and more natural photos!

#6 You’ll have photos to use for your save the dates, table decor, slideshow and thank you cards!

While many couples opt for stunning stationery designs without photos for their invitations, there are still lots of other wedding stationery and decor that can utilize your amazing engagement photos! You can use them for the less-formal save the dates, as reception decor, or as a framed centerpiece at your reception tables. You can also use an engagement photo as the cover of your thank you cards! Heck, I’ve even had a couple who used a photo from their engagement session to make custom wine bottle labels for their favorite bottles of wine, which were gifts to their guests! The possibilities are truly endless!

#7 Engagement Sessions really kick off the wedding feels!

An engagement session is likely one of the first official “wedding” activities you’ll do after picking your date and venue. Sometimes after the initial bookings of vendors, there is a lag of a few months before you as a couple really get into the nitty gritty details of wedding planning. An engagement session is a great way to kick off your wedding planning and it can really help get you excited to launch into the wedding planning mode! Plus, you can make a date night out of it!  Plan your engagement session at sunset for golden hour and have dinner reservations after where the two of you can sit down with your wedding planner and go through individual visions for your wedding. This is also a great way to lead into a conversation about your goals as a couple after the wedding! Starting little traditions like setting time aside for an evening that is just about the two of you can be something you bring forward in your marriage!

I can say without a shadow of a doubt that the couples who have used me for an engagement session as well as their wedding photographer enjoy a different experience compared to those who don’t. The reason for this difference is comfort and confidence. I’ve found that couples who have used me as their engagement and wedding photographer are more relaxed on the day of. They know what to expect, and they are more comfortable with the portrait process. This is why I not only encourage but recommend incorporating an engagement shoot into your wedding plans.