Engagement photo sessions offer numerous benefits for couples preparing to tie the knot.
When it comes to your engagement photos, this is your chance to choose everything: the time of day (I often encourage couples to go for sunrise or sunset because the light is amazing!) the destination and on the whole, you have much more control over the weather too.
Lots of couples choose somewhere meaningful to them as their location; some go back to where they got engaged, whereas others will go somewhere they enjoy spending time together.
That could be your favourite dog walk or picnic place, your favourite activity or hobby, literally anything you like to do.
Many of the couples I get to work with come along just themselves, but others will include their dog/s or even their children. This is totally fine with me; it's about capturing this stage of your lives. (One couple I worked with even brought their horse!) Harriet and Alasdair spend so much time together with Maisie; they bonded over her, so for them it made sense to include her here as she couldn't be involved in the wedding day itself.
Lottie and Ben farm the land around Catle Howard, which gave us access to all areas, places I'd have never normally been about to get to, which was awesome! No boundaries and no audience either; I felt like the luckiest photographer in North Yorkshire.
They also brought their dog Bella along for part of it, and we ended up back at Ben's family farm where we were able to get Lottie's horse Larry, involved too.
Engagement photo sessions are the perfect way to warm up to having your photos taken, and they give you an idea of what you can expect on your wedding day. So many of the couples I work with start their enquiry with,
"We're not great in front of the camera," or "We're so awkward!" Honestly, it doesn't matter, I always tell couples the engagement session is way more intense than the photos on your actual wedding day because it's one-on-one for a longer period of time. Remember, when you're getting married, we'll probably only have 2 or 3 slots of 10 to 15 minutes, whereas an engagement photo session can last for up to 90. It's not intense photographing for 90 minutes, though, so don't worry! I always say my engagement photo sessions are like going for a walk with a friend, but this friend has a fancy pants camera. We talk, we get to know each other, I hear even more about your day, can work out what you're comfortable with and how to relax you in to poses so you don't look awkward or feel self conscious. We have a laugh, try different things ( I might ask you to do silly things) some things work and some don't that's fine, it's part of the process and then on your wedding day, we can refer back to difference prompts and poses, knowing they work well for you both as a couple.
This leaves you feeling better about this part of your wedding, which is exactly what you want: peace of mind knowing you're going to be fine.
Rob and Laura chose to go to their actual wedding venue because it's somewhere they're both fond of, and they just wanted a "warm-up" in front of the camera, as that was something they were worried about.
Here are five compelling reasons why you should consider having engagement photos:
1. Capture Precious Moments
An engagement session provides you with an opportunity to capture the excitement and romance of this special time in your relationship. These photos will serve as cherished memories for years to come, documenting the love and joy you share as a couple during this unique phase of your journey together.
Emma and Will postponed their wedding because they got news of this little man joining them. I suggested they bring him along to their engagement session because he was well and truly part of their beautiful journey.
2. Get Comfortable in Front of the Camera
Many couples feel nervous or awkward about being photographed, especially if they haven't had professional photos taken before. An engagement session allows you to become more comfortable in front of the camera, giving you a chance to work with your photographer and learn how to pose naturally. This can be particularly helpful in alleviating any anxiety you may have about being photographed on your wedding day.
We revert back to children, we do the things we love, where we want and we play, it's relaxed, fun and you end up with some incredible photos you'll cherish.
3. Create Save-the-Date and Wedding Décor
Engagement photos are perfect for creating personalised save-the-date cards and wedding invitations. You can also use them to decorate your wedding website, reception venue, or even as part of your wedding guest book. Having a professional set of photos that showcase your love story adds a personal touch to your wedding preparations and helps set the tone for your big day.
4. Build a Relationship with Your Photographer
Your engagement session provides an excellent opportunity to build rapport with your wedding photographer. By working together before the wedding day, you can establish a level of trust and communication that will ultimately result in better wedding day photos.
You'll also have a chance to discuss your vision, preferences, and any concerns you may have, ensuring that your photographer understands your needs and can capture the moments that matter most to you.
Rebekah and Joe said they were really worried about their photos. Yet look how fabulous their engagement session turned out to be! We went to Dalby Forest becuase they love walking Monty, their little dog there, He was an absolute star both during their engagement photo session and on their wedding day.
5. Celebrate Your Love Story
Your engagement is a significant milestone in your relationship, and it deserves to be celebrated! An engagement photo session allows you to express your unique personalities and love story through beautiful images. Whether you choose a location that holds special meaning for you as a couple or opt for a themed shoot that reflects your interests and passions, your photos will serve as a visual representation of your journey together and the love you share.
Overall, an engagement photo session is a wonderful way to commemorate this exciting time in your relationship while also providing practical benefits for your wedding planning process. From capturing precious memories to building rapport with your photographer, the advantages of an engagement session extend far beyond just having beautiful photos to cherish.
Ben proposed to Joanna at Sandsend, so this was the obvious place for them and their engagement photos. We went with a sunrise session because Ben's a farmer, so he is always busy, plus we thought it would add to their images, and it absolutely did.
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