Let’s talk engagement sessions!

If you’re planning a wedding, you’ve probably already realized there are approximately a million decisions to make. So when you’re deciding whether to add an engagement session to the mix, it’s completely fair to wonder: Do we really need that, too?

My short answer? No, you don’t need one.

But do I think engagement sessions are worth it? Absolutely. And here’s why…

It’s a Practice Run

Most people aren’t used to having a camera pointed at them for an hour—and that’s totally okay.

An engagement session gives you a chance to figure out what feels natural, what doesn’t, and how your photographer works. I’ll give you prompts, we’ll move around, you can laugh when something feels awkward, and eventually you’ll probably forget the camera is even there.

And that experience can make a huge difference on your wedding day.

Instead of working with your photographer for the first time while you’re getting ready and realizing, “Oh, we’ve never done this before,” you already know what to expect.

You’ll know how I give direction. You’ll know what it feels like to be photographed together. You’ll have an idea of how much posing versus candid movement we’ll do. And, hopefully, you’ll walk away thinking, “Okay, that was actually really fun.”

That familiarity is something you can carry with you into your wedding day.

You Get to Know Your Photographer’s Style

Every photographer has their own way of working.

Some photographers are more hands-off and documentary-focused. Others give lots of direction and posing cues. Most of us fall somewhere in between.

An engagement session lets you experience that style for yourself.

You’ll get a feel for how I photograph you, how I give direction, how I use movement and light, and what kinds of images we create together. It’s a pretty low-pressure way to make sure you feel comfortable with the experience before the wedding day arrives.

And I think this is especially valuable because choosing a wedding photographer isn’t just about liking their portfolio.

You want to like the way your photographer works, too.

Your photographer is going to be around you for a pretty significant portion of your wedding day. You want someone whose personality makes you feel comfortable, whose direction makes sense to you, and whose approach feels like a good fit for the two of you.

An engagement session gives us a chance to figure that out together.

It’s Much Lower Stakes

This might be my favorite part.

Your engagement session isn’t happening while your entire wedding timeline is ticking away. There’s no ceremony waiting for you. No family members wondering where you are. No cocktail hour you need to get back to.

We can take our time.

If something feels awkward, we can try something else. If you love a certain photo, we can build on it. If you need a few minutes to warm up, we have them.

It’s really just a chance to hang out, take some beautiful photos, and get comfortable being photographed together.

And if you’ve ever told me, “We’re just not photogenic,” this is exactly why I love engagement sessions.

You don’t have to show up knowing what to do. That’s my job. But if you’re stressed about posing in front of the camera, check out this blog for my best pieces of advice!

So, What Actually Happens During an Engagement Session?

Honestly? We hang out and take pictures.

There’s no need to spend the entire session standing perfectly posed and smiling at the camera. I’ll give you direction, but I also want you to move, interact, laugh, talk to each other, and just be yourselves.

Depending on what feels right for you, we might walk around, sit somewhere, grab a coffee, explore a neighborhood, or choose a location that means something to you.

That’s one of my favorite things about engagement photography: it can look however you want it to look. Your engagement photos don’t have to feel overly formal or like you’re recreating someone else’s Pinterest board. They can feel like you.

If you’re a Baltimore couple, maybe that means wandering around a favorite neighborhood, heading somewhere along the water, or choosing a location that already feels like part of your story. There are so many options for making an engagement session personal instead of just picking a pretty backdrop and wearing pretty clothes.

(But if you are looking for some outfit inspiration, this blog gives you a bit of a guide!)

You Get to Remember This Season of Life

Of course, the practical benefits are great—but don’t forget the actual reason you’re doing this.

You’re engaged!

You’re in this new, exciting, in-between season where you’re planning a wedding, dreaming about your future, and getting ready to become someone’s husband or wife. That deserves to be documented, too.

Your wedding photos will capture an incredible day, but your engagement photos capture something different.

They capture you two before the wedding.

The excitement. The anticipation. The stage of life where you’re still saying, “My fiancé,” every five seconds because it feels weird and exciting to say it.

And your engagement photos don’t have to feel like a formal photoshoot. We can choose a location that feels like you, incorporate a favorite activity, go somewhere meaningful to the two of you, or simply find a beautiful spot and spend some time together.

You Can Use the Photos, Too!

Another little bonus: engagement photos are actually pretty useful.

You can use them for your save-the-dates, wedding website, invitations, bridal shower details, or even just to fill that empty frame on your nightstand that’s been waiting for a good photo of the two of you.

And because you’re getting your engagement photos well before the wedding, you have plenty of time to actually enjoy them and use them throughout the planning process.

So, Do You Really Need One?

No. Your wedding day can be beautifully photographed without an engagement session.

But if you’re nervous about being in front of the camera, want to get comfortable with your photographer, or just want to know what the photography experience will actually feel like before the big day, I think an engagement session is a wonderful idea.

Think of it as a little practice run with much lower stakes, no timeline to worry about, and the added bonus of getting a gallery of photos you’ll love.

And really, who doesn’t want an excuse to take some beautiful photos with their favorite person?

If that sounds good to you, reach out and we can make it happen!!