Engagement photo session

The engagement photo session is important to many couples. Couples usually will hire a photographer who can provide them with an engagement shoot sometime before the wedding.

The benefits of doing an engagement shoot are many:

Getting to know you at the engagement photo session

First it allows the couple to spend time with and get to know their photographer better. Many couples today are hiring photographers without meeting them first. I’m finding more and more that my clients will hire me after a few emails without even a phone call.

So it’s beneficial to meet with the couple before the wedding to do the engagement photo session. The couple will get a sense of how the photographer works and the photographer will get to know what the couple is like.

Getting comfortable

Next, it will help get the couple comfortable in front of the camera. Many couples are clearly uncomfortable getting their photos taken, and it shows at the engagement photo session. This is a chance for the photographer to work with them to help them become more comfortable.

It also will help the couple become more comfortable with their photographer, who is usually someone they are meeting for the first time. This should help them be more comfortable getting photos taken.

The photos

An engagement shoot will give the couple some usable photos.

Many couples choose to use their engagement photos for decorating the day of the wedding. They can place photos by a guest book, on personalized favors, photo fans and, of course, save the-date cards and thank-you notes.

Before the wedding day, the couple loves sharing their photos on their social media as a way to get people excited for the big day.

Some look for something more personal, like a canvas for their wall or an album that instantly tells their story to their guests, friends and family.

This article is part of a series on the various types of pre-wedding photo sessions. Also see the stories on bridal sessions and day-after photo sessions.