5 Reasons Why You Can't Afford to Skip Your Engagement Session

Engagement sessions can seem like another thing on your already long list of pre wedding To Do’s, but you can’t afford to skip out on this VERY important step. Here’s 5 reasons to make time for an engagement session and how it will help you rock your wedding day portraits. 

Practice Makes Perfect

Think of your engagement session as a trial run for your big day. Having an unfamiliar person waving a huge camera around you on probably the biggest day of your life so far is daunting for you, and your partner. Your wedding day shouldn’t be your first experience with professional photography. Authentic images are a two-way street; you need a talented photographer, but you also need to be open and comfortable. There’s no amount of prompting or Photoshop trickery that can make you look relaxed and comfortable in front of the camera. I have a process that helps set the mood for genuine moments to happen, but it takes experience on your part to really let go, be yourself and feel comfortable, even vulnerable, in front of the camera. 

You Need A Break

Engagement sessions are so much fun, and offer a much-needed break from wedding planning. They shouldn’t be fake or feel unlike anything you would ever do together. This is the perfect time to reconnect with each other, and focus on each other’s needs and emotions. Engagement sessions are a time when I get to capture the real you; the couple no one else gets to see; what you are like together when there’s no to do list, no one is watching or waiting, and you are just free and in love. 

You’ll Be a Wedding Day Pro

It is a VITAL part of the entire wedding photography process.  During the  session, you’ll have the chance to get to know me, experience how I shoot and how I handle posing and lighting.  This session will have a HUGE impact on how the wedding day flows.  I’ll arrive on your wedding day knowing how you two interact, what your best poses are and how to photograph you in a genuine way! What I will learn about you during this session is invaluable.

Every couple is so different and your engagement gallery gives us a baseline to discuss what is the most important to you on your big day. What are your favourite images, poses, and moments? Communication is critical to the process. I’m always up for hearing about what you loved the most, and least during your session. Seriously, everyone is so different, and great communication can spur on some pretty epic results.

Hair and Make Up Trials

There’s no better time to see how your wedding day hair and makeup will photograph. Booking your engagement session for the same day as your beauty trial will not only make for polished pre wedding photos, but you’ll get to see exactly what your makeup artist means when she says “Yes THIS is what “natural” looking makeup for photography looks like.” They are experts when it comes to what makeup and hair needs to look like to highlight your best features. It’s the perfect NO RISK time to let them work their magic and see just how your hair and makeup will photograph on your big day.

It’s FUN

Did I mention it’s fun! Seriously, fun. Think of your engagement session like planning a date… and you have a pretty cool third wheel. Or paparazzi, or whatever. If your dates are staying in with pizza and video games in your underwear, let’s do that. Beer on a downtown patio? Yes perfect. Hike to the top of a mountain? Hell yes I’ve got bear spray. Bonus if you feel like bringing a gorgeous dress and suit to change into at the top. Sky diving? I’ll strap a GoPro to you before you jump…. I’m not coming with you, you’re nuts!

Your wedding is so important to me, and I often find I become friends with couples before it’s over, so let’s start that way. Moments don’t happen in front of strangers, so let’s connect over a coffee, wine, beer… pick your poison. Send me a note here!