What are the benefits of having an engagement session with a photographer?

For me there's two main benefits:

-- Casual shots of couple outside the formality of a wedding day. So, just nice shots to have.

-- Useful for "wedding stationery".

Getting to know the photographer, getting comfortable with them? Sure. But you don't need to pay money for that. Just have a coffee.

What I mean by wedding stationery is, for example, couples will often have a canvas printed out and displayed outside the reception venue. Or there might be brochures/programs at the church. Or they might have a website for their wedding. Or invitation cards or thank you cards. Or there might be a slideshow shown at the reception.

So, having professional (and happy) photos for all of this can be handy.

From a video point of view, a pre-engagement session is also an opportunity to do things like interviews. Like asking the couple how they met, how they picture the wedding day will go, etc. And this can be interesting to intercut with other footage in 5- or 15-minute edit, or in a "same-day edit" (which might not be entirely same-day) shown at the reception.

An engagement session can offer several benefits for both you and your photographer:

1. Getting to Know Your Photographer: One of the biggest benefits of an engagement session is the opportunity to get to know your photographer and their shooting style before your wedding day. You can see how they give directions and how they work to capture your best angles. This can help you feel more comfortable and confident in front of the camera on your wedding day.
2. Practicing Posing: An engagement shoot is like a trial run for your wedding day. It gives you a chance to practice posing and get used to being photographed. It can help you understand what poses work best for you and how to interact naturally with your partner in front of the camera.
3. Creating Personal Keepsakes: Engagement photos can be used in various ways. They can be included in save-the-date cards, wedding websites, or displayed at your wedding reception. They can also serve as a beautiful keepsake to remember this special time in your life.
4. Choosing Your Look: An engagement session allows you to experiment with different outfits, hairstyles, and makeup to see how they photograph. This can give you valuable insights for your wedding day look.
5. Scouting Locations: An engagement shoot often provides the flexibility to explore locations that may not be feasible on your wedding day due to time or logistical constraints.
6. Capturing Casual Photos: Unlike your wedding day, an engagement shoot is usually more relaxed and casual. It can capture the two of you in a more natural setting, without the formality of wedding attire.

Remember, the goal of an engagement session is not just to get great photos, but also to create a comfortable rapport between you and your photographer. This experience can enhance your confidence and enjoyment on your wedding day.

This is a time I use to get to know a couple. Its not like the wedding day, there are no distractions, its one to one and we can discuss your wedding plans, likes and dislikes, while I photograph you. This help me plan for your wedding.

Hi There,

I guess I will be repeating a lot of what the other professionals have said with my answer.

Engagement shoots have a great many uses firstly what better way to announce your engagement to your friends and family than by being photographed by a professional and most importantly the professional who will be with you both on your most special day.

An engagement shoot is also a really great chance for the photographer and Bride and Groom to become better acquainted on a personal and professional level.  This will ensure that you know what to expect from the photographer on the day and also what your photographer can expect from you in terms of how comfortable you both are in front of the camera.  Often we find that our hero's (bride and groom) feel uncomfortable in front of the camera, an engagement shoot is a wonderful opportunity to eleviate nerves and awkwardness.

In addition to this it is also a great way for you to review your photographers work and be happy with the decision to go ahead with the professional you have chosen.

Cheers

Sam

Photographers know how to pose you for Nice nice looking Intamint photo's.

hi, it is a great opportunity to get to know your photographer so you are more relaxed and prepared on your wedding day. You become familiar with each other which makes you feel more comfortable in front of the camera, taking the pressure of, eventually you won't even know the camera is on you as experienced photographers such as myself have a way with our manner to make you feel at ease, relaxed, no pressure. This in turn contributes to having natural fun photographs taken which you will cherish forever. You will also become familiar with some poses and how to hold each other without being asked on the day. The key is to have fun, enjoy every moment, laugh, smile, have fun with each other and your photographer - which equals fun loving memorable wedding photos.

It can serve a lot of purposes, including all of those mentioned in other answers.

One other thing I'd like to mention is regarding the timing of the shoot. I've done lots of "engagement shoots", where couples are looking to test the waters and see how we get on, ask questions, and check out the results before they make their decision.

But I've also often done "pre-wedding" shoots with couples who have already booked with me, and these we sometimes do just a few weeks before the wedding. They are a great way to reconfirm everything we've discussed previously, as well as to talk about poses, locations, options for wet weather, what the venue looks like at that time of year (some, like wineries, can look VERY different depending on the time of the year).

So it's worth considering an engagement shoot if you're still choosing your wedding snapper, or a pre-wedding shoot closer to the date - both can be very helpful to clients as well as photographers.

Thanks for the great question! :)

It's hugely advantages - relationship, know who the work, see the results, hopefully one less stressor on your day, get some nice photos and worse case scenario.... bail! ;)

Hi,

The engagement session is a perfect way for you and the photographer to understand and feel confident with each other, it is very common for couples to say "We are not photogenic and never take a good photo". In this session the photographer will make you feel comfortable in front of the camera and will give you helpful tips on how to pose like a true model.

Depending upon when you book your photographer, I know of couples that use a photo from the engagement session as their "Save The Date" announcement or even the official announcement on Facebook and other social networks.

The engagement photos do not need to be standard stand and pose, why not make it a story of how the two of you found each other and fell in love. If you met on the dance floor why not re-create that moment or if you are sci-fi fans why not get dressed up as your favourite characters. You are unique celebrate that.

I understand that this does create more stress due to more scheduling but latter down the track you will either have a great conversation starter book or wall print for those times you host parties with family and friends.
I hope this helps and Good Luck on your choice of photographer.
Kindest Regards.
Nick Schulz.
Bauldrick Productions Photography.