I have had a number of brides in the last couple of weeks ask me if I think it’s worth it to bother with an engagement photo session.  I was actually a bit taken aback by how many inquiries I have had about this so here are my thoughts:

Engagement photos are for more than just having a cute portrait of the two of you on the guest book table.  Ostensibly, it is what we do with it, but that is not its sole purpose.

In the wedding planner/bride relationship we walk you through so many demos, mock ups and trial runs while we are planning your wedding.  We’ll send you for a trial hair and make up appointment to make sure you are getting what you like.  You maybe thought that a smokey eye and a red lip is where you wanted to go but after a trial you opted for a more natural look.  We’ll do a mock up of your tablescape so you can see what it actually looks like so that you have the option of making changes to it pre-wedding.  We will schedule a menu tasting at the venue so you have the opportunity to make changes and suggestions to the menu.  We even do a dress rehearsal of the ceremony.  Why would you not do a dry run with your photographer?

This is valuable for so many reasons:

1.It gives you and the photographer an opportunity to develop a rapport with each other.   Chances are you have not seen each other since the initial consultation.  Come wedding day you will be spending 6, 8, 10, 12, who know how many hours with each other.  You had better make sure that you both can have a great time together, in front of, and behind, the lens. 

2. Nerves.  I don’t know about you but I HATE being photographed.  I take terrible pictures.  I do dumb things with my eye.  I can’t help it.  But your photographer will be able to pick up on your anxiety and help you feel comfortable in front of the camera.  Wedding photographers are great with this.  They know that you are not all super models with hundreds of hours of photo shoot experience.  The opportunity to get comfortable is critical.

3. While we’re on the topic of dumb-things-people-do-in-front-of-the-camera (my weird eye thing, for example), an engagement session will show the photographer your bizarre facial expressions or body habits and will know in advance how to shoot you.  This is something you don’t want to be messing around with come wedding day.  You simply don’t have the time.

4. It’s just plain fun.  How often in your life will you get the opportunity to do something like this?  People generally hire photographers to document their milestones: your engagement is a pretty big one.  Celebrate it because this moment is so brief and the chance to be able to capture the intimacy and need to be together between you and your love is a priceless gift.

5. And it gives us decorators something to put on the guest book table

Happy Planning everyone