Why do we need an Engagement Session?
Do we have to do engagement photos? I used to (and still do really) get this question a LOT! I’ve heard all of the reasons not to do them: “We don’t really like taking pictures.”, ‘We don’t need extra photos – the wedding ones will be enough.”, or “We feel awkward in front of the camera.”
I’ve learned over the last 6 years, that my clients that take advantage of an engagement session have a better experience with me at their actual wedding. There are plenty of reasons why this is – and why I’ve changed my wedding packages to include them as complimentary – whether or not you want to keep and use the engagement photos is up to you! In this post I am going to go over the many reasons behind complimentary engagement sessions many photographers (including myself) offer to wedding clients. You may change your mind about having an engagement session, and you may not – either way, this information is meant to open you up to some of the many reasons to take advantage! However, as I ALWAYS tell my clients – this is your wedding – do what makes you happy!
1) First and foremost, an engagement session gives you a chance to get to know me better – and vice-versa! Early in my career, I would rarely even meet with my clients before they booked, generally only sending emails back and forth. Once I realized that this was NOT the way to do things I started asking for meetings whenever possible. I feel like I need to meet my clients before they invest in my work. I want us ALL to be sure that we have compatible personalities and that we both feel comfortable working together.
This goes hand-in-hand with an engagement session also. Getting a chance to work together and for you and your fiancé to get in front of the camera BEFORE you have to worry about your timeline, all the wedding nerves, and looking “awkward” in front of the camera during this once-in-a-lifetime event. We get the chance to talk, get to know each other (much more than we do at our first meeting!), and I get to learn a little about how you interact with each other. There just isn’t time to do all of this on your wedding day – and I feel like once I photograph you in your natural state, even I feel more relaxed on the big day because I know how to photograph you in the best way possible for YOU!
2) You get to practice being photographed! This is super important for those clients who don’t like having their picture taken or who are afraid that they can’t “pose” correctly, etc. We go through all of my basic poses at the engagement session – and I use the same general ideas and starting poses for weddings (although I do like to get creative based on wardrobe, location, etc!). You get to see the results of your engagement session well before your wedding (unless of course you are booking last minute, in which case there may not be time to do them at all) so you can see what poses you like, which ones you don’t like, what side of your face/body you like better – and you’ll have that personal “feedback” to help you feel more relaxed during your wedding day portraits.
3) I get to learn how you interact with each other and I can remember that and build on it more during your wedding. If you love to play in the rain, I know that on your wedding day, you won’t be afraid to get a little wet if its sprinkling. If the two of you don’t like kissing in front of the camera – I’ll already know that! If I see that you are uncomfortable or not happy with a particular pose, I’ll avoid that one during the big day and focus on the ones that you looked and felt your best in.
4) It will save us time during the wedding portrait time (which can be very short in some cases – you don’t want your guests waiting forever!). Since we will have already had the chance to practice poses, you will more quickly and easily get back into those same poses you loved in your engagement photos!
5) Finally, you will gain more confidence in yourself in front of the camera and in knowing that I will get flattering engagement photos that you love! Every client I’ve done engagements for absolutely loved them and were so glad they did them – and you will be too!
There are several other reasons to take advantage of the complimentary engagement session included in your wedding package: a night out, visiting a favorite location together, getting a trial-run for your makeup, and spending time away together that isn’t wedding planning! Get dolled up and go out afterwards for a date-night (I always schedule these two hours before sunset). HAVE FUN! And yes, I try very hard to get clients to pick something that genuinely represents who they are – the beach, a bar or restaurant, a beautiful park – wherever you’d like will work and you will have fun, I promise!!
So, if you are on the fence about having engagement photos taken, think about all of the benefits and the fun you can have doing them – and if you book with Cathy Smith Photography, the engagement session is free – so you have nothing to lose!
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