When planning your wedding, it’s easy to focus on the big day itself, I mean there’s a lot to get sorted. But one of the most valuable (and often overlooked) parts of the experience is the pre-wedding photo session. The majority of people who I meet say that they hate having their photograph taken – to be honest I’m not that keen on it myself! So why would anyone want to have a pre wedding photo session? Well actually there are a few very good reasons to have an engagement photo shoot.
Feeling confident in front of the camera
Firstly and most importantly consider this session as a practise run for your wedding day. As I mentioned almost everybody that I photograph initially feels uncomfortable in front of the camera. It’s completely normal to feel awkward at first. But the pre-wedding session really breaks the ice. It gives you the chance to relax with me without the added pressures of the wedding day timeline.
During the shoot, there will be lots of walking and playing games. I’ll give you guidance and before very long you’ll actually enjoy yourselves. My couples always finish the photo shoot having had fun and comment that it was much better than they had imagined.
Getting to know your photographer
It will give you a really good idea of how your photographer works and you will get to know them better. Your wedding photographer will be with you for the majority of your wedding day and you will want to feel comfortable with them. In fact this is mutually beneficial because it helps the photographer too. We get to know you more, we see how you interact as a couple and understand what it is that you want. Just to say that my style is fairly relaxed – I’m not going to manoeuvre you into position, but nor am I going to leave you feeling awkward and not knowing what to do with your hands!
Beautiful photos that you can use for the wedding
The final reason to have an engagement photoshoot is that you will end up with beautiful images of yourselves. Many of my couples use them for a slideshow during the wedding or perhaps incorporate them into their wedding table centrepieces or use one of their photographs for a guests’ signing frame. (Ask me if this is an option that interests you). Other uses include save the date cards, wedding websites or just hanging them in your house.
Plus, these sessions often take place in locations that are meaningful to you. Like where you met, your favourite weekend spot, or simply somewhere with stunning scenery. The result is a set of images that capture a different, more relaxed side of your relationship compared to the wedding day.
Take the plunge, I think you’ll enjoy yourselves! Here’s a link to my pre wedding portfolio. I hope I’ve given you enough reasons to have an engagement photo shoot.
If you’d like to book an engagement shoot either for yourselves or as a gift for someone, please email me or give me a call or WhatsApp on 07905 973255
