Most couples think of engagement sessions as a way to get save-the-date photos. And sure, they're great for that. But that's honestly the least important reason to do one.
The real reason I include an engagement session with every wedding package, and strongly recommend it to every couple I work with, is because it makes your wedding day photos dramatically better. Here's why.
You Learn How to Be Photographed
Nobody is naturally comfortable in front of a camera. Not you, not your partner, not even the most photogenic person you know. Being photographed feels weird. Where do you put your hands? Where do you look? What do you do when someone says "just be natural"?
The engagement session is where we figure all of that out together. I learn what angles flatter you, which side you prefer, how you naturally hold each other. You learn how I direct. I don't do stiff poses, I give you movements and prompts and let genuine moments happen.
By the time your wedding day arrives, we've already done this. There's no awkward warm-up period during your couple portraits. We just pick up where we left off.
You Get Comfortable With Me
I'm going to be with you for 8-12 hours on your wedding day. I'll be there when you're getting dressed, when you're reading your vows, when you're crying during the father-daughter dance. That's an incredibly intimate level of access, and it works best when you already trust the person behind the camera.
The engagement session builds that trust. By the end of an hour together, you stop noticing the camera. You forget I'm there. That's exactly where I need you to be on the wedding day.
You Discover What You Actually Like
Some couples think they want moody, editorial portraits, and then realize during the engagement session that they're actually happiest when they're laughing and being playful. Others think they want casual and fun but are surprised by how much they love the romantic, cinematic shots.
The engagement session is a low-pressure way to experiment. I can try different styles, different lighting, different moods. Then when we look at the photos together, you can tell me exactly what you want more of on the wedding day.
The Practical Benefits
Beyond the chemistry-building, there are genuinely practical reasons to do an engagement session:
Save-the-dates and wedding website photos. Yes, the obvious one. Having professional photos for your wedding website and invitations sets the tone for your entire event. Outfit and location testing. You learn what colors photograph well, what fabrics move nicely, which locations match your vibe. This informs your wedding day planning. Guest book and signage. Many couples use engagement photos for a guest book, welcome signs, or table displays at the reception. It's a nice personal touch that ties the day together. You get to enjoy a date. I tell couples to plan dinner afterward. The engagement session itself becomes a memorable experience. Exploring a location together, getting dressed up, being intentional about capturing this season of your life.
When to Schedule It
I recommend booking your engagement session 3-6 months before the wedding. Early enough that you can use the photos for save-the-dates and your website, but close enough to the wedding that the confidence carries over.
We'll pick a location that means something to you (where you had your first date, your favorite beach, a neighborhood you love) or I'll suggest spots based on the vibe you're going for. Sessions typically last 60-90 minutes and we shoot in the last two hours before sunset for the best light.
One More Thing
I offer a complimentary engagement session to every couple who books with me. It's not an upsell. It's part of the package because I genuinely believe it makes the wedding day better. I've seen the difference too many times to leave it as optional.
If you're on the fence, book it. You'll walk away with beautiful photos and walk into your wedding day feeling like you're working with a friend, not a stranger.
Learn about our engagement sessions
Book a complimentary engagement session with your wedding package
