Why engagement shoots are so special

A professional wedding photographers guide to the benefits of an engagement photo-shoot.

Call me romantic, but I’m a huge fan of engagement shoots…

Whether you want to recreate your proposal or just get more comfortable in front of a camera, it’s a wonderful way to express the joy and excitement you have in the lead up to your big day.

If you’re umming and ahing about whether you should have one as part of your wedding photography package, here’s my two-penny’s worth on why it’s a fab idea.

• Capturing the happiness that comes when you first get engaged

There’s no feeling like it! Which is why I find that the sooner the shoot can happen after the question is popped, the more excited the happy couple are as they embark on the rest of their lives together. Capturing those raw emotions through beautiful imagery means you can savour the feeling forever (and of course, it’s a great way to show off the ring!). Put some thought into choosing the location which represents you as a couple. It could be the spot you got engaged (Oh, please take me to the Bahamas to re-create the moment!!) or somewhere you often visit, whether strolling by the River Dee, some city scapes at the Albert Dock, your favourite Cheshire woodland walk or a day at the races; wherever you suggest, I’m open to ideas!

Many couples like to use these photos to announce their engagement to the wider world on social media.

• Wedding stationary sorted

A more practical point, but once your engagement photos have been snapped, there are plenty of beautiful ways you can use them to give a personal touch to your wedding. They make great ‘save the date’ cards, wedding website images or you can pop them in your guest book.

Some couples even use them as decoration on the day itself, hanging them up or making a “signed for” frame – a more modern twist on the signing book.

• You get to know your photographer

A wedding photographer has a privileged role on what is a monumental day for so many couples. And while much of the decision in choosing a photographer is based on instant rapport and the style of their wedding photos, having a relaxed pre-wedding shoot ensures you’ll have the best time working with each other. As a photographer, I love using this shoot to familiarise myself with a couple, see how they interact, who is more nervous and who is the joker. If the couple have children then it’s a must to include them, it helps create relaxed boundries for the day and certainly gives their parents peace of mind.

So often couples are reluctant before the shoot… then so enthusiastic afterwards asking how soon can they see the results!

• Practice makes perfect

I’ve heard “we’re always so awkward in front of the camera” more times than I can remember; as well as the photographer learning about you, an engagement shoot is the ideal opportunity to familiarise themselves with the camera. The more time you have in front of it, the more confident you feel and the more natural and candid the photos will become. One person’s “relaxed” could be another person’s “staged” – so having a visual collection for reference is the ideal way to make su you get the photographic style you feel suits you…

Brides can also book  their hair and make up for the engagement shoot, so they can see how it looks, from all angles giving feedback to their stylist where necessary.

• More photos for the memory book

The current situation has left many wedding couples in a difficult position regarding their special day. If your day has been impacted, hopefully you’ve managed to find a new date that works for you. What engagement shoots do offer is another opportunity to celebrate you as a couple, especially if you’re having to wait a little longer. You can never have too many photos for the memory book and now more than ever, we need to welcome happier moments….

If you fancy learning more about pre-wedding photo shoots, please don’t hesitate to get in touch – it’s good fun and pretty painless – That’s a promise!