Engagement photography: what’s the point? You’re engaged! But do you need an engagement shoot?
For most people the idea of engagement photography (or pre-wedding photography), and spending more than an hour having a camera pointed at them and just them, is a bit intimidating at best and full-on terrifying at worst. Almost all of my couples tell me they’re “not good in front of the camera” or they’re “a bit camera shy”.
Of course you want authentic pictures of you on your wedding day, having an awesome time, but why on earth would you want to prolong the agony and spend more time having photographs, away from the wedding?
Experience what it’s like to be photographed by a professional!
There are loads of reasons why having an engagement shoot is a good idea. Here are some of them:
You get some beautiful pictures that celebrate a very special time in your lives
We get to know each other a bit better before the actual wedding day
You get to experience what it’s like to be photographed by me
Many people are apprehensive about having their photograph taken by a professional photographer for one reason: fear of the unknown. They don’t know what to expect. Will they be made to put themselves into cheesy poses? Are they going to do things that feel silly? Will they have to pull their fake-it-for-the-camera smile?
I don’t do any of these things with my clients and, without fail, after I’ve spent time getting you to interact with each other naturally you relax. We usually laugh a lot. You’ll even enjoy yourselves, I promise.
Knowing what to expect on your wedding day
Couples who have an engagement shoot know exactly what to expect on their wedding day. When you know what to expect, you can focus your attention on getting married and having an awesome time!
I’ve talked about the other benefits to having an engagement shoot above. Being engaged is such a unique time in your lives. It’s really, really lovely to have a photographic record of it. You could do something different and romantic (like taking me to Paris to photograph you!) or you might simply want to visit some places that mean something to you as a couple.
One of the few parts of the wedding planning process that is just about the two of you!
Couples that have an engagement shoot tell me it’s one of the few parts of the wedding planning process that they can just relax and enjoy. Many of them feel a little bit apprehensive about the shoot but pretty much 100% of them tell me they loved it. Having a chance to connect with each other in what can be a very busy time is really, really lovely.
I especially enjoy having an opportunity to get to know you a little better. It really makes my involvement in your wedding a whole lot more rewarding.
Find out more about engagement shoots with me!
If you’d like to find out how your engagement shoot will work, check out my engagement photography: what to expect post. And check out some of my favourite engagement shoots:
Laura and Matt’s engagement shoot in Digbeth, Birmingham
Keira and Jake’s engagement shoot in Walthamstow, London
Alyssa and Simon’s engagement shoot in Zurich, Switzerland
Stephanie and Dale’s engagement shoot in Hampstead, London
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Perfect post Laura, my thoughts exactly.
Well said Mrs (Babb). I will show this to my husband to be and make sure we get ours done very soon! I will also endeavour to encourage my clients to do this more, as it really is lovely. In fact I can tell you a strange fact but 100% of the couples who have had an engagement shoot with me actually love the photos so much they put them up at their wedding reception in one way or another!
Yes it’s lovely when the couple use them for something. I always think they’re nice as the guest book if you get a lovely hardback photobook made with every other page blank.
I’ll look forward to seeing your shoot when you’ve had it, Emma!