Engagement photos are such a great way to to mark the moment and also get used to being in front of the camera (before the big day). It's also a great treat to share together and have photos on your wall that aren't just selfies.
99% of my couples always say that they never have had a photograph taken together before their wedding day, and the majority never feel comfortable in front of the lens either. Don't panic! This is the exact reason that I feel engagement / pre wedding / couple shoots are important.
Not only does it give you both more confidence in having your photograph taken prior to the big day, but it also gives me a chance to get to know you better and build up a strong relationship with you so I know just what you’re wanting from your wedding photos.
There are SO many reasons why you should consider engagement photography. I mean the fact you reason you said “Yes!” is a good reason in itself, but here are 4 more to bear in mind…
Engagement is the end of one chapter of your life and the start of another - which always calls for celebration
It’s also when you as a couple truly become ‘official’ – Facebook status doesn’t count!
Engagement photography is a great way to practice being in front of your camera ahead of your wedding
Wedding planning is tiring, especially if you cut out the wedding planner, so breaking it up with an engagement photo shoot can help break up the monotony.
Bonus: Engagement photos are also a perfect way to personalize your wedding invitations!
I catch the chemistry between you as a couple. Be it through the way you peck each other's cheeks, how you both sqeeeeeze each other when you hug, or the quality of piggyback rides.
I only ask one thing of you with engagement photography, and it’s that you, do you. For this reason alone, I’d always advise doing your shoot on location, as I just feel like there is so much magic you can capture out and about.
This will allow us to get a varied range of candid shots that sum up you as a couple and how you feel for each other. A nice contrast to your more formal wedding photos.
My advice would be to book your engagement photography in relation to your wedding date. I’d always say booking when you’re ‘recently engaged’ is best. That way you can use the pictures for your wedding invitations. You’ll also not miss out should you have to rebook.
Booking 12 weeks in advance is my usual advice, especially if you’re after a certain date or time. But that’s not to say that last-minute bookings are impossible – in some cases, they can fit in rather well. Only I wouldn’t rely on this being the case as I don’t like to disappoint.
*Not got a wedding date yet? The average engagement is between 1 – 2 years.