INTRODUCTION
If you're unsure if an engagement photo shoot is necessary or worthwhile... here are some factors to consider.
But first... I'm Josh - a destination wedding photographer based in South Florida and frequently on the move for weddings and engagement shoots all over the world. Since I am an established photographer, you're probably thinking... of course I would say everyone needs to do an engagement shoot. However, the unbiased truth is that not everyone does need engagement photos. It's totally a matter of what feels right for you personally and the experience you want to have.
So with this in mind, here are ten not-so-obvious reasons to do an engagement shoot. AND if you stick with me til the end, there's a little bonus waiting for you ;)
ONE // CELEBRATE YOUR ENGAGEMENT
Congratulations! This fleeting phase between your proposal and impending wedding date is a unique time in your life. The swirling mix of relief, joy, excitement and nervous anticipation can be a lot to deal with. So many couples choose to simply post a random photo of their newly bedazzled ring finger, the immediately proceed to immerse themselves in the overwhelming wedding planning tasks that await them. Often, they forget to pause and acknowledge the monumental decision they have just made, and in doing so, they don't really get a chance to sit with those feelings as a couple.
In my opinion, a great way to slow down and truly enjoy this mutual high, is to spend an afternoon or evening expressing the beauty and emotional weight of it all with some celebratory photographs. Choosing to illustrate your love visually places a distinct time stamp on this unique moment... plus you'll certainly get some fantastic images to share when you inevitably announce your intentions to the world.
TWO // GET COMFORTABLE WITH YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER
Choosing the right photographer has a huge impact on your over all wedding experience - not just the photos, but the actual process of moving through each phase of the day with confidence and excitement. A wedding presents many opportunities for vulnerability or discomfort to creep in... so having someone close by who you're familiar with (and who has been through this all many times before), can be a huge relief. After all, you'll probably spend more time with your photographer on the wedding day, than with the actual person you're marrying.
Getting to this comfort level with your photographer often starts during an initial meeting, and is then deepened through the engagement photo session. There are opportunities for both parties to ask questions, share stories and history, address any concerns about being photographed or the wedding itself, and just generally build a friendly rapport. Not to mention, getting used to the manner and style of any directions, posing or prompts the photographer might incorporate, so that when the wedding day rolls around, the whole photographic process feels much less intimidating.
THREE // LET YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER GET COMFORTABLE WITH YOU
Hand in hand with reason number two, comfortability is a two way street. The person documenting your wedding experience has just as much cause for wanting to feel comfortable with you. For a photographer, knowing that they have your trust can be hugely beneficial when it comes to making creative decisions on the day. For instance, if an emotionally vulnerable moment presents itself, a less comfortable photographer may not feel obliged to capture a potentially beautiful and important candid moment. And likewise when executing a creative idea, a photographer who feels trusted wholeheartedly by their client may feel more compelled to try a new photo concept or idea in the hopes of giving them something really unique and special.
For me, knowing as much about my couples as they want to share has a huge impact on my creative decisions on the day. Understanding things like the couple's personality type, chemistry, style preferences, insecurities, even underlying family dynamics... All of this intel often comes up during an engagement session, which gives me everything I need to prepare for your wedding and keep the photos authentic.
FOUR // TELL YOUR STORY
Engagement photos aren't just about throwing on your sunday best and heading to the local park for some cheesy portraits. There's a real opportunity to tell your story in the process and actually show who you are as a couple; what you've been through together, what you care about, and what this all means to you both. There are a number of ways to to do this, but ultimately it just comes down to being intentional with your engagement shoots plans.
For instance, if you're not "beach people" don't go rolling around in the sand for the sake of those "romantic" engagement photos. Find a location or activity that feels relevant to you and your shared interests. That way, the resulting photos will truly capture what you're all about. After all, weddings usually happen at a venue that may or may not hold any significance to you. So choosing a more personal and "special" place for your engagement backdrop and/or activity is a great way to make the photos feel more authentic and representative of YOU (perhaps even more so than the wedding photos).
FIVE // ADVENTURE TOGETHER
As mentioned above, you have an opportunity here to illustrate your love in your own way. So if you fancy yourselves the adventurous type, or if you just feel like your love is worth screaming from a mountain top, then why not swing for the fences and explore somewhere new and exciting together! Again weddings can't always happen in your dream location (for any number of reasons)... BUT doing engagement photos means you're not limited to the location or logistical challenges of the wedding. The possibilities are endless, and the memories are priceless!
Another huge benefit for taking your photographer on a more adventurous photo expedition for your engagement shoot... I guarantee you'll get a heck of a lot more photos and potentially more inspired and creative ones too! Photographers love to go above and beyond for their couples, especially if they're granted the opportunity to explore somewhere new and beautiful with them.
SIX // TRIAL RUN
For Brides, the engagement photos may be the perfect excuse to try a new look you've been contemplating for your wedding hair and/or make up. OR maybe you want to work with your hair and make up team before the wedding to be sure you're all prepared and on the same page.
And don't don't forget about Grooms too. Same goes for hair cuts, beard trims and maybe even outfit trials. The point is, if you're getting spruced up, you might as well have it photographed!
SEVEN // TAKE THE PRESSURE OFF
It's so easy to get carried away during wedding planning and caught up in the stress of it all. If you're hyper focussed on this ONE DAY and putting all your expectations on it to be the most amazing day ever, then chances are you are building up a lot of pressure to execute on this vision. But consider this... what if you took an opportunity to step back from wedding planning and instead spend some time focussing on your partner during an engagement session. Reminding yourself (and each other) of what's at the center of this whole experience is such a welcome distraction in the scheme of planning. And the photos you come away with will remind you over and over again.
I promise you'll feel so much less pressure going into the wedding knowing that you've already have some beautiful and authentic moments captured between you both... so you won't feel as anxious about getting 300 more photos on the wedding day either!
EIGHT // SAVE THE DATES (you knew this one was coming, lol)
Yes yes, some cute pics of you guys do make for some really nice save the date cards to send out to all your guests. I mean, its not the only option, but it is certainly common practice nowadays.
But as a bonus, here's another idea... Print an entire photo book from your engagement gallery and use it as a guest book at the wedding. Your photographer can easily arrange this with some gorgeous professional book options of you think it's wort the expense. OR there are loads of consumer level photo-book printers online if you have the time and know how.
NINE // CREATE SOME ART TOGETHER
Engagement photos should always reflect who you are as a couple. So if you guys are on that artistic vibe, then this the perfect time to collaborate with your photographer and create something truly unique, intimate and awesome to look at!
In this process, a good photographer will work with you to figure out what you want to say about one another and how to illustrate that with light, composition and a whole slew of techniques. There are no rules for this, and there is beauty in the experimentation. Whatever the results, you'll come away knowing these particular images were created not just for you, but WITH you.
TEN // HAVE A LITTLE FUN, DAMN IT
If none of these other nine reasons sound particularly compelling to you... then at the very least, know this:
ENGAGEMENT SHOOTS ARE FUN AS HELL
At least with me they are! They often involve meeting for a drink first to loosen the nerves. Then, we'll head out to our chosen location and just see what happens. It sounds strange, but it's much more like a friendly hang-out rather than a "photo-shoot". Yeah they'll be some mild directions given and maybe a few laughs and weird ideas... but I'll never ask you to pose awkwardly, and you hardly ever even have to look at the camera.
Either way, you'll come away with some awesome photos and a whole new level of confidence and comfortability with me and the photographic process before the wedding!