If you’ve landed on this page, I’m guessing you’re engaged- congratulations! You may have heard of engagement shoots or a pre-wedding shoot and are wondering whether or not to have one- I’m here to tell you five reasons why it’s a great idea. 

1. Gain an understanding of what it’s like to be shot by a professional

If you’re like me or many other couples and people I know, you have rarely (if ever!) had your photo taken professionally. I’d argue that one of the most important parts of your wedding day is making sure you have a photographer to capture everything so that you can look and transport yourself back to that day for the rest of your life. If you’ve not had your photo taken, you might be feeling concerned about how to pose, where to look, and generally, what happens when a professional photographer is pointing a camera at you!
Booking an engagement shoot is a great way to delve into the unknown and I promise you- it’s not scary at all. It’s a great way to realize how relaxed you can feel in front of a camera! The way I see it, it’s completely up to me (or your photographer) to get you both feeling at ease with chit-chat, light direction/posing with some laughs to get those beautifully candid images of you as a couple just, well, being you! 

2. Get to know your photographer

Having a pre-wedding shoot with your wedding photographer is probably the best way to get to know them and how they work! You’ve booked them for a reason so you’ve most likely looked through their images, maybe followed them on social media, and most likely had a tea and chat with them at some point to discuss your wedding day. However, you’ve not seen them in action yet so it’s a great way to understand how they work to get the photos you will cherish. Having an engagement shoot will give you a better idea of, for example, how much or little direction they give or how long they spend capturing a moment, etc. On your wedding day, your photographer will be by your side for many hours and will want to make sure your day goes as smoothly as possible- they want the best for you! So it’s a great idea to have a shoot with them before your wedding so that you know you have someone there who makes you feel relaxed and comfortable.

3. Your photographer can get to know you

Having an engagement shoot is also a great way for your photographer to get to know you before your big day! Only when taking your photograph will they fully understand how you are as a couple, what your interests are, and what makes you laugh. Your photographer will have a greater understanding of how to work with you to make you feel relaxed and excited about having your photo taken. It’s also a great way for them to learn about any poses you do or don’t like! 

4. There are no restrictions

An engagement shoot is a chance to have your photo taken wherever you like! It could be somewhere meaningful to you and your relationship, near your home, a place you like to go together or simply somewhere you think is nice. It’s a great way to add some personality to your photos to tell your story - it can be whatever you want it to be! Although you might have many images and selfies together, there’s something different about having someone take those natural, candid photos of you in your element. It’s also an opportunity to share your engagement with others online or use the images on your wedding invitations!

5. It’s time to celebrate you as a couple!

Being engaged is such a lovely and perfect time to celebrate you as a couple. Take a step back, breathe, and take it all in. The time between being engaged and the wedding can sometimes be rushed so I think having an engagement shoot to reflect and celebrate your love for each other and your excitement for the future is a lovely way to honor this period of your lives. When I photograph at an engagement shoot, I like to get to know you and want to know allll about your love story and how it began. Let’s celebrate where you are in your relationship today with wide smiles and dreams about your future together!