I hear it often – “mmm we don’t really think we need an engagement session.” It’s an area where I often make a case for why something is more important than couples realize. Part of my job as a professional photographer is to share information and allow clients to make the best decision for their situation. So here it is! The top three reasons why an engagement session has so much value.

1 – It Builds Confidence

Being photographed often makes people uncomfortable. Couples get nervous because they don’t want that uncomfortableness to show in their wedding day photos. I get it – it’s awkward to be in front of the camera (that’s one reason I like to stay behind it)! My goal for confidence building is always two fold. I want to build client confidence in myself as a professional, and build client confidence in their own abilities. When they see their gallery – I want the thought to be, “Wow, we look good! We can do this!!!”

2 – It Increases Comfortability

I really make it a goal for couples to come out of their engagement session feeling more comfortable with me. And likewise, I want to come out of the session knowing them better! Typically, I am going to spend about 8 hours with a bride and groom on their wedding day. Getting to know each other a little bit beforehand goes a long way! It gives me more of an opportunity to laugh with and have fun with couples. And how to you look when you are relaxed and having fun?? Pretty darn good!

3 – An Engagement Session is a Study in What ‘Works’

Lastly, an engagement session gives me more knowledge to better serve couples on their wedding day. For example, sometimes I learn that certain poses don’t fit clients’ personalities well. There may be certain poses that really flatter some clients more than others. This info is SO important. I don’t waste the time we spent – I make notes and look back on the session/notes before the wedding so I am prepared with the best plan.

We haven’t even touched on the fact that engagement images are nice to have, and often useful for ‘Save the Date’ cards! While that is true, the three points I’ve shared above are the most important for why an engagement session is definitely worth your time.

Before I let you go, can I just take a minute to say how great Mandy and Dennis look here! Their engagement session was last week and it was COLD! (and windy!). You can’t tell how uncomfortable it was temperature-wise in these images – they did a great! We made the most of the time and the most of the beautiful cherry blossoms in Brandywine Park.