Why You Should Have an Engagement Session Before Your Wedding

Imagine walking into your wedding day already feeling confident and comfortable in front of the camera—knowing exactly how to move together, what to expect, and trusting that your photographer understands your dynamic as a couple. An engagement session gives you that experience in a low-stress, relaxed setting where there’s no timeline to follow, no guests to entertain, and no pressure to get everything perfect. It’s a chance to shake off any nerves, get used to being photographed together, and enjoy an easygoing session that’s all about celebrating your relationship. By the time your wedding day arrives, posing will feel effortless, and you’ll be able to focus entirely on each other!

1. Build a Stronger Connection with Your Photographer

Your wedding photographer is going to be with you for some of the most intimate and emotional moments of your big day. An engagement session is the perfect opportunity to build rapport and get comfortable working together before the wedding. It helps you establish trust, ensuring that when the big day arrives, you feel completely at ease knowing your photographer understands your dynamic as a couple. This connection can make a huge difference in how relaxed and natural you feel in front of the camera, ultimately leading to more authentic and emotional photos.

2. Establish a Vocabulary & Understand the Workflow

Every photographer has a unique approach to directing and capturing moments. An engagement session allows you to get familiar with their process—how they pose, prompt, and guide you—so nothing feels unfamiliar or overwhelming on your wedding day. You’ll develop a shared language, making communication smoother and helping your photographer anticipate the best ways to capture you at your most natural and joyful. Understanding the flow of a session also means fewer surprises, so you can go into your wedding day with full confidence, knowing exactly what to expect when it comes to portraits and candid moments.

3. Practice for Tricky Poses (Like Your Aisle Kiss!)

Certain wedding-day moments happen in the blink of an eye, and one of the most challenging to get just right is your first kiss as a married couple. During your engagement session, your photographer can guide you through practicing poses like your aisle kiss, dips, and natural movements so they feel effortless when it really counts. You’ll also get a chance to see how you both look in photos and adjust things if needed, whether it’s finding your best angles or learning small tweaks that can make a big difference. By the time your wedding day arrives, you’ll be confident and ready to nail those iconic shots.

4. Capture This Unique Chapter of Your Love Story

Engagement is such a fleeting yet meaningful period in your life. While wedding photos will beautifully document your big day, engagement photos provide a fuller picture of your journey together. This time deserves to be remembered just as much as the wedding itself, and having professional images from this season allows you to look back on it with just as much fondness and nostalgia. Your engagement represents a transition—a moment in time where you’re celebrating your commitment before officially saying “I do.” These photos will become part of your history together, preserving a joyful and exciting phase of your relationship.

5. Showcase Your Love Story at Your Wedding & Beyond

Engagement photos have so many practical uses beyond just being gorgeous keepsakes. Many couples use them for save-the-dates, wedding websites, guest books, and reception decor. Whether it’s a framed print at the welcome table, a slideshow during the reception, or even custom wedding favors featuring your photos, an engagement session gives you high-quality images to personalize your celebration in a meaningful way. Plus, they make for fantastic gifts for family members, allowing loved ones to share in your excitement and anticipation for the big day.

Bonus: It’s Just Plain Fun!

Beyond all the logistical benefits, an engagement session is simply a great experience. It’s a chance to take a break from wedding planning, enjoy a romantic outing together, and celebrate this milestone in your relationship. Plus, it’s way more fun to be in front of the camera when there’s no pressure—just laughter, love, and a little adventure. Whether you choose a meaningful location, incorporate activities you love, or dress up for a stylish session, it’s an opportunity to express your personalities and capture the essence of your love story in a relaxed, joyful way.

Ready to Book Your Engagement Session?

If you’ve been on the fence about scheduling an engagement session, consider this your sign to go for it! Not only will it set you up for success on your wedding day, but it’ll also give you beautiful, timeless memories of this exciting chapter in your life. If you’re interested in booking a session or learning more about how we can create a fun, relaxed experience tailored to you, let’s chat!

Contact me here to start planning your engagement session today.