Why have an engagement session?
You did it! You got engaged to the love of your life and that's awesome! You've come a long way in your relationship, what an exciting time this is for you! I remember when my wife and I got engaged - we were on cloud nine for weeks! And hey, that doesn't have to stop after you're married either!
You've made a big step, this is a huge moment for the both of you. But now you are faced with the daunting task of planning a wedding, finding vendors, inviting people to your wedding day, and let's not forget, starting life together! It's a lot to do.
Amidst all of this you may be thinking about an engagement session and asking, "Why have an engagement session? Is it for us?" You've probably seen a lot of people, friends, and family who have had their own engagement sessions but maybe you are nervous about it or questioning it for one reason or another.
That is completely understandable. Let's face it, being in front of a camera isn't normal for most people and at first it may not sound like the most fun and exciting thing to do! Why would you put yourself through that?
Feel what it's like to be in front of the camera (hint, it's not as bad as you think).
An engagement session is one of the best ways to get a sense for what it will be like to be photographed on your wedding day. It's a chance to get the jitters out, to learn how we'll work together and help you feel completely at easy at your wedding. I love having the chance to get to know you both before the wedding. All my clients come out of their engagement saying that it wasn't what they expected at all, that they never thought it would be so candid, easy, and fun!
Yes, it's actually fun!
The best images and the best portraits come not when you're stiff and staring at the camera, they come when you're totally at ease, when you aren't looking, when you're sharing a special moment, or when you're laughing at each other! Your engagement session will feel like a date with your fiance. We'll do something that resonates with you, in a location where you want to be and not somewhere contrived or false to who you both are as a couple.
Portraits without the stress of the wedding day.
First, I will do everything to make sure your wedding day is planned well and is anything but stressful, but still, you can't get away from the fact that the wedding day is a busy day. An engagement session gives us dedicated time to focus only on the two of you and who you are. I love the time for portraits on the wedding day but a few hours with an engagement is valuable focused time to get wonderful portraits.
Capture beautiful photos to use before and at the wedding.
Do you have a wedding website? Your engagement photos will be perfect to help share your story! Want to create a book of engagement photos to have at your wedding sign-in table? We can do that! Want a gorgeous image to be able to send on a save-the-date to all of your guests? Engagement photos are perfect for that.
These are just some of ways you can use engagement photos after the session. You can have prints on a table at the wedding, you can send prints as gifts, share them with friends, and much more.
When is the best time?
If you think an engagement session is right for you, I suggest scheduling your session 9 months or more from your wedding day. Save-the-date cards usually go out at about 6 months before the wedding, so an engagement at least 8-9 months before the wedding gives plenty of time to edit the images and plan for how you want to use them. That doesn't mean we can't do an engagement closer to the wedding, I've done plenty of them just a few months or even weeks out!
I hope you've gotten some insight into why I love engagement sessions! Have any questions? Get in touch at the link below.