What are engagement photos, and why do you need them? Engagement portrait sessions are so important, don’t skip this! Some may think that engagement photos are unnecessary, but there are honestly SO many benefits to scheduling an engagement shoot. Did you know that all my wedding packages include a FREE engagement shoot in addition to your wedding day photos? That's how strongly I feel about booking an engagement session!
As a wedding, photographer, here is my guide to engagement photography and my 7 top reasons why you need engagement photos!
GET COMFORTABLE IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA
I've had many couples tell me they've never had professional photos taken and that I'll need to pose and help them, which as your photographer of course I am prepared for! By the end of the day, everyone is a natural in front of the camera and has a sense of what works for them. Weddings are usually on a tight timelines, and with engagement shoots you have more time to try things out. Having an engagement session helps you relax in front of the camera and get your posing down in advance of your wedding.
YOU GET TO KNOW YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER
It takes time to warm up to new people, and most likely you'll be meeting your photographer for the first time on the day of your shoot. As your wedding photographer, I'll be with you for practically your entire wedding day and will be capturing very personal moments. Engagement sessions offer you the chance to meet and connect with your photographer in advance of your wedding. Then when your wedding comes around, you'll no longer be posing in front of a stranger, but with someone you already have a relationship with and feel comfortable with. You'll also get a sense of my photography workflow and what poses I tend to recommend.
YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER GETS TO KNOW YOU
From my perspective, I get a sense of your dynamic as a couple and how to best direct and photograph you. As I mentioned earlier, some couples might feel unsure how to pose at first. I always go for a natural, relaxed look that isn't overly staged, so this gives me the chance to see what helps the couple feel comfortable in front of the camera, and how to make them laugh. This also helps me prepare for your wedding day photos by learning your angles and what type of photos you like!
LOCATION & TIMING VARIABILITY
You can take your engagement photos wherever you want! Magical botanical garden? On the beach? Road trip to Joshua Tree? Hike to the top of a mountain with an insane overlook? I'm game for everything! You can even do multiple locations if they're close enough, and you aren't constrained by your wedding venue location. You can take your engagement photos at any time too. Wedding timelines are tight, and sometimes your portrait hour doesn't match up perfectly with sunset. You can plan your engagement session for golden hour, so the light is perfect, and you don't need to feel rushed.
YOU GET SOME GREAT RING SHOTS
Who doesn't want to show off their ring? You're excited about your engagement and want to share photos of your ring to all your friends. With engagement photos, you'll get some beautiful close up photos that showcase your stunning ring.
YOU GET AMAZING PHOTOS!
Engagement shoots also provide you with so many beautiful photos, which you can use for save the dates and invitations, wedding websites, and of course for social media announcements and posts. You also have them as keepsakes to print and put in your home. Many couples don't have many professional photos of them together, and this is a great opportunity (and excuse!) to have some taken. You can also bring multiple outfits (I usually recommend 2) to the shoot to give yourself some additional variety.
YOU GET TO CELEBRATE YOUR ENGAGEMENT
Don't forget that this is such a special moment and time in your life! Celebrate and enjoy it! Engagement shoots are so much fun! You get to spend 1-2 hours with your partner laughing and making memories and celebrate your engagement. And you'll have beautiful photos to look back on and remember the special moments.
I offer complimentary engagement sessions in all of my wedding packages because I think they are so valuable! My couples usually get around 30 edited photos after a 1-2 hour engagement session. See my Wedding Services page and request a Free Quote or send me an email at allymajkastudios@gmail.com to talk and book an engagement session today!
Commentaires