Just clicking on this link shows that having emotional wedding photos that make you feel, deeply, means something to you. Below are 5 reasons why I’m a firm believer every. single. couple. needs to get engagement photos taken.

Right after you’ve said yes, the first thing on your mind (well, maybe the second thing if it takes a bit for the realness of it to finallyyy hit) is your upcoming marriage. Wedding vows promise a lifetime of commitment and you already know you want photos that will stand the test of time. Comparing it to the 50+ years of your future together, the year or two of your engagement season will appear incredibly short.

Those sweet hours become even shorter when factoring in all the other necessities in a day, whether it be school, work, career-building, or searching for your new home together. Obviously, wedding planning will also be on that list.

Pause it all.

The Engagement Session:

1. Allows you to grow comfortable with the camera

A wedding day includes many people and many more variables. Even with a comfortably padded timeline, there will be millions of details vying for your attention. When the wedding day starts and portrait mode is on, your photographer wants to cut through the fluff and warm-up and photograph your most authentic emotions and flattering angles right away. The engagement session will help you AND your photographer discover your best angles and how you interact in front of the camera.

When the wedding day comes, your only thought should be how inexpressibly happy you are to marry the person by your side. 

2. Allows you to get to know your photographer, and vice versa

Trust is foundational to each of our actions. If you want story-telling images that invite viewers into the emotions of your day, you want to feel completely comfortable with the people who will be there. Your photographer will be your dress-fluffer, veil-fixer, and shadow for basically all of the day – the only person there when your mom buttons you into your dress and all the feelings hit, the only person when you see her for the first time and are fighting back the tears because she’s just so stunning, the only person when you sneak away from your guests for sunset portraits to enjoy that just married feeling… Every click of the shutter should carry the weight of a friend who you truly know cares about your story.

Your engagement photos also builds trust between your photographer and your family, friends & guests who most likely have never had a chance to meet. Every wedding, I get comments about how amazing the couple’s engagement photos were. If it only keeps your dear Uncle Bob and his Canon Rebel T2i out of the aisle when you’re walking down, the engagement session will be worth it.

3. Is the perfect chance for a trial hair & makeup run to minimize wedding day stress

Each bride has their own style. Some love glam, some love natural, but the key is that you need to love the way your makeup looks – especially with your photographer’s editing style. Keeping in mind that photography takes 3D subjects and turns them into 2D, be sure to find a professional makeup artist who knows just the right amount of makeup to apply.

When a wedding day timeline is thrown off, the culprit is often the getting ready. Powerful, emotional photos need a safe space to happen. Since hurry and love cannot coexist, test runs help everyone on your team bring your vision to life, in a timely way.

4. Lets you practice key poses until it feels second nature, so your wedding day focus is on each other.

Your wedding day is not the time to be thinking about a possible double chin, arms, or what to do with your hands.  You’ll learn core posing theories and have a fun chance to practice – in addition to running around and just having fun! But imagine spending the rest of your lives together knowing how to get amazing photos no matter the situation. By the wedding day, your only worry should be to soak in every moment to the fullest.

5. Brings your guests into the story of who you are together.

From that first save-the-date to your wedding website to your excited countdown posts on social media to the photobook your guests will be signing…however you plan to use your engagement photos, it’s a chance for both sides to be brought into your journey as a couple.

Weddings are often reunion hotspots and it may be the first time your guests have the chance to meet your love in person. Those emotional wedding day photos of your family and friends are created when they’ve been included on your journey – of joy and hardships, growth, sacrifice and commitment. Let them see. 

Ultimately, your engagement session needs only the two of you to be beautiful, but I highly recommend diving deep into who you are as a couple and choosing locations and activities that played a decisive part in your love adventure! Allow those who love you best to share in your joy!

And… that concludes our list! Are you convinced yet? More importantly, are you ready to begin scheduling your own engagement session? Reach out on the Contact Page to begin!!