I have been asked this question so many times throughout my career and I wanted to address this very valid question. “Are engagement sessions really necessary?” Or, ‘We don’t need engagement photos. Our friend already took them.” While I think that’s great, let me explain the importance of an engagement session in as short of a post as I can. And it’s not just for the pretty photos.
Let’s start with the second phrase about a friend taking your engagement photos. Let me be clear, from a photographers perspective (or I guess my own personal opinion), that’s great that your friend took them! However, I see it from the perspective that their method of posing or their way of communication will not help you on your wedding day, unless they’re your wedding photographer too.
In the long run, you’re going to have two completely different experiences which will also be taking more of your time. Not to mention it does send a confusing message when there are two different sets of engagement photos from two different photographers. Just a thought! :)
One of the biggest reasons for an engagement session is learning how to work with your photographer. Then on your wedding day, you’re already familiar with our posing, way of communication, etc.
Of course we will document the “pretty photos”, but that comes with the experience of the photographer coaching you to GET that outcome. For example, lets say there is a need to take more time for understanding a pose. Wouldn’t you rather take that time during the engagement session rather than the wedding day to figure it out? An engagement session is the perfect time to work any “kinks” so to speak.
Secondly, to answer the question above, engagement sessions ARE necessary. Extremely. This is the time that I really learn to understand my clients, and vise versa. This helps me to learn which poses work best for my couple and which poses maybe aren’t their strongest or most-natural looking. And that’s okay! Posing is not a one size fits all.
An engagement session is like a “trial run”, just like you have a dress fitting before the big day.
It’s preparation for your wedding day to run smoothly, so on the day of, everything is already taken care of. Everyone is on the same page and when it’s time for photos, we’re all ready to go. Then we’re not wasting any of your precious wedding day time to work on something that could’ve been resolved through an engagement session.
Lastly, the most obvious benefit of an engagement session is of course, the pretty photos! Remember, it’s the posing and communication from the photographer that gets you those pretty images :) I absolutely love being a part of this process with my clients and getting to know them better! It takes the relationship to a deeper level and then by the wedding day, it just feels like we’ve been friends for months!
Has that clarified it for you? If not, feel free to comment below with any thoughts or further questions!
While we’re on the topic of engagement sessions, check out this link below: