Many couples wonder if having an engagement session with their wedding photographer is really necessary, especially if they have already had some photos shot by a friend or if the wedding is coming up shortly after they booked their photographer. Today I want to talk about why it is in fact really important and will actually make your wedding day a smoother, more relaxed day.
Your wedding day is a super exciting day, filled with joy and excitement, however, it can also be a day of stress and busyness ( is that even a word?) . Any good wedding photographer’s goal is to make this day as easy as possible so that you as a couple can enjoy the day and relax. The more qualified vendors you hire, the more the details will be off your plate and in the hands of experienced professionals. What does this have to do with an engagement session you might ask? Everything!
Engagement sessions have many purposes and I want to highlight a few wonderful benefits of what can be a really fun time with your photographer.
1. Comfort
On your wedding day you will be spending a lot of time with your photographer, and I mean a lot! From getting ready all the way to the reception, your photographer will be with you for most of the day! A huge benefit of an engagement session is that you are meeting, getting comfortable with, and building a friendship with your photographer ahead of time. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve walked into an engagement session with a couple that has a good bit of apprehension on their side about taking photos, only to leave laughing and completely at ease. When this happens, it gets carried over to the wedding day. You now know your photographer a little bit and have established comfort. As a photographer I love showing up to the wedding day already feeling I know the bride and groom well and that’s good news for everyone!
2. Posing
Each photographer and couple approach posing differently. As a wedding professionals, it’s our job to learn how to pose and encourage natural interactions with each couple. Sometimes this is easy and sometimes a challenge depending on the ease that each person feels in front of the camera. During an engagement session some of this can be figured out and by wedding time you both feel comfortable settling into posing or candid moments because you’ve done it already!
3. Wedding Decor
Most every wedding where I’ve shot an engagement session prior has the images from the session displayed at the wedding. You can use your engagement session images for save the dates, invitations, or wedding decor ( most commonly a guest book or canvas to sign). This is a great way to show the fun and joy of your relationship and you can even display them alongside other snapshots you’ve taken throughout the course of your relationship together!
4. Because it’s SO fun!
Last but NOT least, engagement sessions are fun! Creativity can abound here and that brings so much joy. If your wedding is at an upscale venue try an engagement session at the coast or up in the mountains. If your wedding will be in the woods, why not do your engagement session somewhere with dynamic structures or an old building. So much planning and detail goes into wedding planning. let your engagement session just be fun. Laugh, make jokes, enjoy each other and just let that glow go straight on in to your wedding day.
I hope these four reasons why engagement sessions are so important before your wedding day were helpful to you! Even if your camera shy, all the more reason to warm your way into photos by doing an engagement session before your big day.
Congratulations, and I wish each and every couple a joy filled wedding and a beautiful love story as you start your journey together.
xoxo
Rachel
Who: Jim and Dana
What: Getting ready, First Look, Portraits, Cermemony, and a reception all at a gorgeous downtown venue facing the beautiful San Diego skyline and bay.
When: July 27th, 2018
I was contacted by Dana and Jim months before their wedding and I was SO excited when they chose me to capture their wedding day. The first time I met them was the day of their wedding, a gorgeous, partly cloudy day. Dana was the picture of peace and calm when I first walked into the getting ready room. I knew at that moment the day was going to be wonderful! The first look was sweet and simple and the following ceremony was filled with sweet words and some tears.
During our portrait time it was clear to me that their was a sweet connection and affection between these two! It was so easy for me to capture this in each of their images.
Once the reception began their was so much fun to be had. One thing that stood out to me from the moment the reception began was that Dana and Jim were together the entire night, they spent time dancing, greeting guests and just enjoying their moment. Dana surprised her guests by putting on a tradition Korean wedding dress complete with head dressing!
Dana and Jim, I pray you have a beautiful marriage full or laughter, forgiveness, and joy! A huge congratulations to you both and THANK YOU for allowing me to be apart of your most special day!
