The Importance of Engagement Pictures

I always include an engagement session in my wedding packages.  Sometimes when I am discussing various package options with potential clients, they ask me how much they will save by not doing engagement pictures.  I am very flexible when it comes to building packages, but one thing I don' t negotiate is the engagement pictures.  They are included, whether you use them or not.  So why not take advantage.  I consider this a "win win" proposition and I will tell you why:

• It gives my bride and groom a good chance to get used to having professional photos taken of them.   Often, this will be their first professional photo shoot
• We get to know each other.  After spending a couple of hours together, we have a lot of time to have casual chatting, get the chance to crossover from client to friends, and really get to know one another.
• The bride and groom get the first glimpse of my real live work, and feel comfortable with the fact they have indeed chosen the right photographer to capture their most important day.
• I have found that in most cases, it's the guy that is reluctant about the whole picture taking idea.  These sessions gives him a chance that I don't bite, he can have his picture taken and actually have a good time too.
• One of my most popular products lately have been the photo guest sign in books.  They consist of about 50 pictures on about 100 pages.  Your guests not only have a lot of space to leave wedding day messages, they get to see all of your wonderful engagement pictures and you have a great coffee table book you will look at for years.  

I like the couple to choose the place for the pictures.  There are a couple of reasons for this.  On my side, it keeps my work fresh, and no two engagement pictures are the same.  I really love what I do, and I think part of the reason for that is that every day is different.  Every couple is unique and so should their photos be part of them.  I know me, and I know that I would get terribly bored if I did every shoot in the same place.

Every couple has a story.  I would like my engagement photo of them to reflect that.  By letting them choose a place that might be special to them, not only lets me tell their story in pictures, but gives me a little more insight into their personality.  I have shot engagement shoots at the tree where he engraved a hearth with their names on it, to the place where he proposed, to the farm her grandma lived in and she had many childhood memories.  This one was particularly memorable.  The grounds were beautiful and abundant with places to shoot.  One of them was a great big old barn.  We got some great shots climbing on the hay stacks, only the bride was allergic to hay!! She was such a trooper.

I like to make these sessions as informal as possible.  Once a couple gets used to having their romantic moments being caught on camera, the rest is easy.  Sometimes I have to pose and coax a little, but mostly I just like to follow and shoot.

At the end of the day, the engagement pictures help to make up the whole wonderful package of wedding day memories.  I wouldn't miss it for the world!