Why I Gift My Couples With An Engagement Session

Occasionally, I will receive a wedding inquiry with a note included that mentions that they couple doesn’t need or want an engagement session. Sometimes after giving a couple my wedding pricing, they ask me what the savings would be if they eliminate the engagement session from their collection. My answer to these questions isn’t a simple one but in a nutshell… the engagement session is my wedding gift to you. It is entirely complimentary, I truly do not profit from these sessions financially at all however, we both will gain a lot from taking the time together to do it!

While you are welcome to choose to skip your engagement session (though I do not reduce the collection investment price if you do), I think I can convince you that it’s a worthwhile hour spent with me that will mean more to you than just the beautiful images.

So, why do I gift my couples with an engagement session?

We might be strangers

It’s really common for me to meet my couples in person for the first time at their engagement session but on their wedding day, they’ll spend more time with me than anyone else! Even if I know the couple beforehand, this is a new, unique relationship for all of us. So, I need to learn a lot and build a ton of trust in a short amount of time.

The engagement session is a time for me to get to know you individually and as a couple. I learn by working with you what makes you giggle, what poses are most flattering, what you love, how you envision your wedding day, how you and your partner interact together, what levels of PDA you are comfortable with and soooo much more.

These may seem unimportant to you but they are all absolutely vital for me to capture your true selves and document your legacy with truth and timelessness.

WEDDING DAYS HAPPEN FAST

The engagement session is a time for me to get you comfortable in front of the camera. Even if you’ve worked with a professional photographer in the past, we all work differently so it’s really key to get to get all those questions and nerves out of the way before the hectic-ness of the wedding day! For both of us!

During the engagement session, I teach you my poses and learn how to tailor them perfectly for you two. Every couple has different height differences, body shapes and comfort levels. Getting to know you both during the engagement sessions allows me to show off your best selves through natural posing and interaction.

An engagement session lasts a little longer than an hour but on your wedding day, we may only have 20 - 40 minutes for all of your bride and groom portraits. On the wedding day, when we are extremely pressed for time, you will know exactly what I mean when I say, “share little kiss and gentle smiles after keeping your noses close”. We’ll nail the shot in a half a second without awkwardness, questions or hesitations.

We will only have a very short amount of time to capture the portraits that you expect from me therefore it’s extremely important that we are communicating clearly.

If you’re nervous about being in front of the camera, the time to feel that way isn’t on your wedding day!! That’s why I want to build that trust and make you feel amazing at your engagement session.

building trust is the key to the wedding experience

My couples hire me to document one of the most important days of their lives thus far. It’s a monumental day for their families too and I’m completely in awe every time I am blessed with the chance to capture memories that may be enjoyed and studied by their future generations.

Building trust with my couples begins at the engagement session. I want them to know that I only have their best interests at heart, that I absolutely want them to look and feel their best and that I’ll go out of my way to ensure that they’re comfortable and enjoying each moment. If there are any nerves or fears, we want to address them and then get rid of them during your engagement portraits!

It’s a little thank you from me to you

The images you’ll receive from your engagement session are just a little thank you from me to you for giving me the honor of capturing your love. Fiancée is likely the title that you’ll hold for the least amount of time in your life. Engagements are just a blink of the eye compared to a marriage. This time deserves to be documented and celebrated!