A question that I get asked frequently when talking to potential wedding clients is “why do we need an engagement session?” It’s something that comes included in every single one of my wedding packages for a reason! There are a few key reasons why I believe engagement sessions are such an important part of your wedding experience, and i’ve listed my top 4 reasons below.

1.) It’s Where We Get to Know Each Other

The majority of my clients are meeting me for the first time when we sit down for a wedding consultation together. While there is always time to chit chat and do a little getting to know each other at that meeting, the majority of our time together is spent covering important details and information about your wedding day.

The next time I see my clients is at their engagement session. This is where we really get to connect and get to know one another on a personal level. This connection helps me to be able to do the BEST job I can capturing my clients personalities as well as their lovely smiling faces! This session is spent exchanging stories, laughing, and by the end the goal is to feel like i’m leaving having made two new friends!

It’s incredibly important to me that my clients feel that they can trust me to do the best job possible on their wedding day. The bottom line is, other than each other I am the person that you’re going to be spending the most time with when your wedding rolls around! I truly believe that the engagement session is the time where we can build a that foundation of trust and friendship so you feel that you made the best decision possible.

2.) Trial and Error

I always tell my couples to think of their engagement session as a trial run for their wedding day. This is the time to get those nervous jitters out! Some people are just not super comfortable in front of the camera. Which, lets be honest. I understand this more than you know!When i’m in front if the camera i’m like Ricky Bobby in Talledega Nights wondering what to do with my hands. Getting to have a practice run makes the day of your wedding go so much smoother!

You’ll learn my posing and directing styles, you’ll get to see what works for you guys and what doesn’t, and you’ll be able to take that information into account during your bridal portraits. This means when your wedding day rolls around, we can get your photos done faster so you have more time to spend with your wedding guests!

3.) Quality Time Together

For most people, the whole process of getting married is a complete whirlwind. From the beginning stages of planning, to the end of the wedding day, it can be incredibly stressful. I love the engagement session because it’s a time to take a break, relax, and just enjoy time with your fiance!

I always try to encourage my couples to let the world around you melt away, and to just be present and in the moment with each other. That seating chart debacle, bridesmaid drama, and other wedding fiascoes aren’t going anywhere, but we can escape reality for a little while and pretend!

4.) Why Not?!

Engagement sessions are included in all of my wedding packages. This is the case with a LOT of other photographers as well. If it’s included at no additional cost to you, why wouldn’t you want to do it!? Sometimes it’s just nice to have a few good photos of you and your fiance together! If any of you have a stubborn husband like I do, our presentable photos together are few and far between. Our couples photos and our wedding photos are pretty much the cream of the crop when i’m looking for a picture where we both look like normal human beings!

You also can use these photos for many different things down the line. Save the Dates, Wedding Favors, Presents, and more! All my mother in law wanted for Christmas last year was a large framed photo of me and my husband, and I was able to deliver that to her because we had done an engagement session!

Ultimately, you really can’t go wrong by choosing to have an engagement session. Even if the session ends up being a complete and utter disaster (which it’s my job as a photographer to make sure that doesn’t happen!) you at least learn what does and doesn’t work so you can put that into play on your wedding day. You get to walk away having some great photos of you and your partner that can be used for a multitude of purposes, and you get to spend some great quality time together!