Why have an engagement session? | Advice from MrDrew Photography

I thought it might be helpful to highlight why an engagement session is such an important thing to do.  I often hear from couples that they don’t need to have it or they don’t want to do one.  Mostly it’s the people who are shy and perhaps a little nervous about being in front of the camera.  I totally get that you wouldn’t want an engagement session if you hate having your photo taken, but we promise we aren’t your standard photo shooting peeps.  We’ll make you feel comfortable and have FUN while we are doing it.  If you are nervous in front of the camera it’s actually more of a reason to have an engagement session!

So let’s go through the top 4 reasons why you should have an engagement session.

Reason 1:  Get to know your photographers better.

It’s hard to really get to know each couple during the initial consultation and then through email.  It’s so much better to get to know someone in person by hanging out, talking and laughing with them.  The engagement session is the perfect opportunity for that to happen.  You get to see how we work as photographers before the big day and we can get a feel for how you are as a couple.  We can start gauging how you naturally interact and what you feel comfortable doing.  You’ll be spending many hours with us on your wedding day.  Don’t you want to feel as comfortable as possible with us?  You’ll be spending more time with your photographer then you will be with probably anyone else on your wedding day take the time to get to know us by having an engagement session.

Reason 2: Get rid of the Butterflies

This one sort of falls into number 1, but I felt it needed to be separate as well.  I think this one relates to many grooms (there are also plenty of brides who fall into this category too).  You have it in your head that you always look ridiculous in photos and you hate having them taken.  Shooting an engagement session gives us a chance to show you that it isn’t the case.  Having us shoot a session is way different then what you are use to.  We aren’t your friend with a point and shoot having you smile all cheesy at the camera.  It’s better, we promise you!!  The engagement session is always way more relaxed then the wedding day so it’s a great time to get use to being in front of the camera.  We want to show the love between you and your fiance, sometimes it might feel weird to act that way while someone is taking your photo.  We promise you’ll feel more comfy and confident on your wedding day if we shoot an engagement session for you.

Reason 3: Go someplace you can’t for your wedding.

You try to select a venue that is really great and special to the two of you for your wedding.  Doing an engagement session lets you explore a theme or place that maybe you can’t on your wedding day.  Maybe you and your fiance are really into skate boarding, but for your wedding you want to do a really classy vintage event.  During your engagement session we can capture some shots of the two of you skating or doing whatever it is you really love.  Maybe you love the beach, but decided for your wedding you wanted a really urban feel.  We can still create some amazing images of you at the beach, even though your wedding isn’t on the beach.  We can go to the place you got engaged or the place you first met.  The session can be as casual or as fancy as you want.

Reason 4:  The images can be used for so much.

First and foremost the time in your relationship while you are engaged is such s fun and special time and for most couples it feels like it goes by so quickly.  You are so focused on the end (the big day) that sometimes you forget to enjoy just being engaged.  Shooting an engagement session forces you to slow down and take the time to enjoy each other.  Another plus is we now have these great images that can be used in so many other ways after.  You can use the images on save the dates or even more simply you can send an image of the two of you announcing your engagement.  You can use the images as part of your wedding decor.  We used images of us throughout the years as our table numbers.  You could do the same thing with the images from your session.  You can also use an image framed on display near the escort cards.  Our favorite use for images from the engagement session is a photo guest book.  The guest book is something that everyone has at their wedding, it’s one of those traditions, but how often after the wedding do you take it out and look at it.  If you do a photo guest book you have more of a reason to take it out and enjoy it.  We design the album with plenty of blank space for your guests to sign and write little notes to you.  You’ll love looking at it for years to come.

Take the time to schedule an engagement session, you won’t regret doing it.  We feel they are so important that we offer a 1 hour complimentary engagement session to couples who book us for an 8+ hour wedding.