I hear it a lot, “I had a friend with a nice camera do our engagement pictures, so I don’t need one.” Or, “we feel really awkward in front of the camera, so we’d rather not do one.” Or, “we already sent out our Save the Dates so we really have no need for one.” I never argue, but I just wish that I could make each and every couple understand that it is so much more than all of this! Here are my 5 most important reasons to do an engagement session.
1. Get to know your photographer. And have your photographer get to know you. Some people may think the most important reason to do engagements is to have fun pictures of the two of you. And while this is an important reason and will be on this list later, becoming acquainted with your photographer is my number 1 reason to do an engagement session. Your wedding day is this biggest day of your life. Do you really want a complete stranger, that you have never met in person or only met once at a coffee house for 30 minutes, showing up on your wedding day, being there on the most important moments of the day, guiding you through one of the milestones of your life! If you think about it, it is pretty intense. This is part of the job that weighs heavy on me. I take this roll very seriously. I want every moment of my interactions to be calming and comfortable. This ability is amplified by 100 when we get to do an engagement session. Many times, the bride has spent months or years following a certain photographer on social media and feels really comfortable, but the groom has not. The engagement session is particularly important for helping him feel comfortable on the wedding day. Most of the time, after and engagement session, the groom says something like, “That wasn’t as hard as I thought!” or “That was easy”! That translates over to the wedding day and makes the whole day flow because there is trust. That is priceless.
2. Get experience in front of the camera. 99.9% of my couples are NOT professional models. Instagram selfies do not count. This is such a great time to get used to posing for the camera in a more relaxed environment. The wedding day carries a little more pressure, it is best to get these jitters out before that day and with the photographer that will be there on the wedding day!
3. IT IS FUN! Or it should be. We choose a location that you love, you are in clothes that are comfortable (or, at least more comfortable than wedding day outfits), you feel beautiful (because you got your hair and makeup done) and you get to spend 1-2 hours loving on your future spouse. And then it is a great excuse for a fun date night! I just did a blog post about what to wear for your engagement session, click HERE to see that.
4. You get fun pictures. I am old. Well, not really, but I’ve been married for almost 12 years and I have 3 kids. So I can look back on our engagement session and see how fleeting this engagement season is. Capture it! After this you will go into married life, real life (which is wonderful too) and raising kids (which is wonderful too) and it will never just like this. You will love these pictures! You will also have images for your Save The Dates, Sign-In Books, Facebook profile pictures, Engagement Albums and/or reception decor.
Tom and Lesley’s engagement session was so much fun! They live next to this beach in Laguna and are always there with their sweet puppies. I was so happy that we could do a meaningful session for them that captured their real life. I can’t wait for their wedding next month!
