Photographers are like cars...
we should be test driven before you drive off into the sunset with us!
Yes, I am a big believer in the idea that you should get to know who you are working with before your wedding day! That is why I include a complimentary 1.5 hour engagement session with all of my wedding packages and elopement packages over 3 hours.
Here are a few reasons why!
Break the Ice.
Nothing is more anxiety-inducing or nerve wracking then a) getting in front of a camera, and b) getting in front of a camera in front of a complete stranger! Trust me, I get it. I am nervous to meet every new client. But once that first "hey" or "hello" or "good day" (however you wish to greet people) is out of the way, then the nerves tend to dwindle. Also, it is such a great feeling when you can put a face to a name and not have to do that the day of the wedding!
Get a feel for the camera and the flow of photos.
Unless you are a model who is in front of the camera often, most people have never gotten professional photos done until they get engaged or married! Learning to build a confidence and connection with the camera, find positions that feel comfortable for you, and get a feel for how your photographer works prior to your wedding day will help you immensely. Kiss those camera-jitters good-bye!
Get to know your photographer.
Look at your engagement session as your "first date" with me or the photographer that you choose. We need to iron out the wrinkles with conversation! You will find out if your photographer and you have things in common, maybe you grew up down the street from each other or you are long lost cousins (neither of these things have happened to me.. yet!). Whatever it is, your engagement session is the time to make those connections and a relationship with your photographer before the big day. Also, there is a chance that you will not love your photographer - better to find out at your engagement session then the day of your wedding!
Your photographer gets to know you!
It is just as important for you to get to know your photographer as it is for your photographer to get to know you! I want to know what you find funny (because genuine laughing shots are the best!), I want to know how you and your partner met, where you grew up, how comfortable you are doing certain poses (ie. I like a lot of movement and maybe you prefer a slower-paced session). Maybe you have insecurities - we all do and I want to make sure you feel as incredible as you look! It is also a great time to discuss the plans for the wedding - sometimes emails can get confusing or something is written wrong. Your engagement session is the perfect time for me to ask you all the questions and vice versa!
What am I a trying to say here? Engagement sessions are important!
They are a great time of discovery, they allow you have a little more freedom compared to your wedding day (depending on the size of your wedding), and it is a great excuse to get dressed up, let loose, and create new memories with your love (while gaining a new friend who is photographing you and your partner being major cuties!)! You will most likely spend the majority of your wedding day with your photographer, so getting to know them beforehand will turn spending the day with a stranger... into spending your day with a friend!
Aww!
And that, my friends, is why I include complimentary engagement sessions with my wedding and (majority of) elopement packages!
Be sure to check out more photos from engagements I have shot over the years!