On the fence about whether to take engagement photos or not? We are here to say YES YOU ABSOLUTELY SHOULD! Every couple is different and every wedding is personal, so there aren’t many things we feel you “have to do” or “have to have”. But engagement photos are definitely one of them! Here are six of our top reasons why a pre-wedding session with a photographer is SUCH a worthy investment!
Your engagement is worth documenting.
Saying “YES!” is a HUGE milestone, both in a relationship and in a person’s life. Your engagement will be a time full of excitement, hope, anticipation, well wishes, and so much love. There will never be another period in your life quite like it. Capture it! Document those big, cheesy “I can’t believe we’re getting married” grins and milk this time for all it’s worth. One day, you’ll look back on your engagement photos and feel nostalgic thinking about the happiness and adventure that lay before you.
You will get to know your wedding photographer.
You will be photographed more on your wedding day than any other day of your life. If you aren’t used to being in front of the camera, it can feel a bit awkward to have a photographer all.up.in.your.business, and especially on such an intimate, personal day. We do not suggest waiting until the big day to get comfortable with having your photo taken and with your photographer. An engagement session allows you to get to know the person you’ll spend 8+ hours with on your wedding day. When the celebration finally rolls around, you’ll have already built a rapport (and hopefully a full blown friendship!) with them, and hopefully you’ll feel relaxed and like yourself with every shutter click!
Your photographer will get to know you.
Likewise, your photographer should feel comfortable around YOU too! This is a very symbiotic relationship. If they can learn what makes you and your partner tick and what truly defines your relationship, they’ll be better able to capture all of the nuances that make the pair of you so special. During an engagement session, a photographer can learn that your fiance always tucks your hair behind your ear or that you have a way of making them laugh so hard their nose wrinkles up. Or perhaps you two have a special way of holding hands that only you know how to do. Or that you wink at each other across the room to secretly say “I love you.” Whatever it is, your photographer can learn these during an engagement session and be on high alert for them on the actual wedding day!
They’re a good excuse for a makeup trial.
Makeup trials aren’t free so you might as well get some good use out of that extra money spent, right? If you feel confident with your makeup artist’s skills, schedule your trial for the day of your engagement session. Not only will you look camera ready and get some extra mileage out of the investment, but you’ll be able to see how the look photographs. This will leave plenty of time to tweak things for the big day, if necessary.
You and your fiance probably have never gotten professional photos taken together.
While your selfie skills might be off the charts, a few iPhone snaps taken in Portrait mode don’t count as “professional photos”. We are willing to bet that you and your fiance have never been in front of the camera together as a couple. There is no better time than the present to invest in high quality photos that capture the essence of your relationship.
An engagement session is hella fun!
Taking engagement photos is kind of like your wedding day…minus all of the stress, anxiety, and nerves! You’ll be filled with happiness as you traipse around taking pictures…but you won’t be sweating in a wedding dress, worried if your updo is falling out, or trying to keep that drunk groomsman from photo bombing you. Without all of the pressure of a “once in a lifetime event,” you’re bound to be more relaxed, feel more like yourself, and more likely to let loose and just have a good time. All of that natural energy is bound to manifest itself in the form of genuine smiles and frame-worthy photos!
Did you take engagement photos? Upload some to social media and tag @burghbrides and use #burghbrides so we can see!