Since its engagement season I keep seeing the same question pop up over and over again, “ How important are engagement photos?”. Engagement sessions are not only sessions that I love photographing, but I love them so much that I actually had two engagement sessions with my husband when we were engaged! Now, we didn’t have two because I thought we needed hundreds of photos of us, it honestly just ended up working out that way. Our first session was two weeks after we had gotten engaged, and we needed to get those save the dates out quick! Then about a month later we booked our wedding photographer, and she included engagement photos in her packages as well – so we got another session! At the time I wasn’t a wedding photographer and I didn’t understand the reasoning for engagement photos, other than the fact that I wanted picture of us! One thing was for sure though, on our wedding day I was very relaxed and confident in front of the camera!
So I thought I would give you my opinion ( as a photographer and a bride! ) as to why you need engagement photos!!
- It allows you to take a step back from wedding planing and just enjoy being engaged!!
During the wedding planing process things are hectic and stressful! So much so, that you aren’t truly just enjoying this time in your life! Taking engagement photos allows you to spend some quality time with each other as an engaged couple! Whether you are engaged for 6 months or 2 years, this time in your life will come to an end quickly; so be sure to enjoy it and celebrate it! Get dressed up, schedule a big date night for after your session, and make the whole day about the two of you!
2) It allow you to get to know your wedding photographer and be in front of the camera!
When your wedding day comes, you will actually spend more time with your photographer than you will with your groom; so being comfortable with your photographer ( and their camera ) is something that I can not stress enough!
I love this time with my couples because it allows me to get to know them for who they are as individuals and as a couple! It also allows them to get to know me personally and how I work! More than likely, you have never been in front of the camera together for an extended period of time being told to show tons of affection and cuddle together in public… lets be honest, it’s awkward! Those awkward feelings though are what we want to get rid of before the wedding day!! After 20 minutes those awkward feelings go away and it starts to feel normal, then next thing you know you two have the posing down perfect!
Not only is it important to get those awkward feelings out before the wedding, but your engagement session allows me to learn what is and isn’t natural for you as a couple! While we are shooting I am able to recognize what poses you two are awesome at! This is SO important because now on your wedding day I can skip right past those uncomfortable poses and focus on those that represent you as a couple!
3) It is the perfect time to test out your wedding hair and makeup!
I love it when brides show up to their session right after their hair and makeup trial! Not only do they look gorgeous, but the feel gorgeous as well – and it definitely shows in the images! Your hair and makeup for your wedding day can be something that takes some getting used to as well. More than likely, you don’t usually wear that much makeup, have fake lashes, or have that much volume ( or hair spray ) in your hair! So these photos are a great chance to see exactly what you will look like in your wedding images!
There are SO many benefits to having engagement photos taken, that this list just scratches the surface! One thing is for sure though, you will never regret having this moment in your lives captured! It goes by so quickly, and these photos are something you can look back on years from now and remember the pure joy and excitement that you felt as you made plans to marry your best friend!
Click HERE to grab your free Engagement Session Planning Guide!
