5 reasons you should consider booking an engagement shoot..

An engagement shoot is a great way to get to know your photographer, celebrate your engagement and most importantly, have fun! I’m here to tell you why you should consider booking an engagement shoot!

[Get to know your photographer]

It sounds pointless, BUT.. most couples won’t necessarily meet their photographer until their wedding day! You’ll be getting in the middle of sipping Champagne with your bridesmaids, and then knock knock, Hi it’s me.. your photographer…. An engagement shoot gives you the opportunity to meet face to face before the day and get to know each other. As a photographer, this gives me a chance to get to know my couple, and be able to tailor how I am with you so that can get the best out of your photos whilst you feel comfortable! It’s a real ice breaker, and a bit of fun! And ensures there’s no awkwardness when it comes to your wedding. You can then also run through your expectations and anything specific you will want from on the day!

[You’re not very comfortable in front of the camera]

I have a lot of couples who book me as their wedding photographer and tell me they’re not comfortable in front of the camera. It’s completely normal. My approach to your day is a more, documentary style, so most of your photos will be unposed and candid shots of you enjoying your day. Your engagement shoot is a chance for me to show you how unobtrusive my style of photography is and I aim to go fairly unnoticed on your wedding day…. like a Ninja! During the posed couples portraits, it’s my job to put you at ease and make you feel as comfortable as possible. I find the best way to do this is just to be silly. Practise your first dance, walk around and hold hands, or even whisper your favourite colour into your partners ear but in your sexiest voice possible and laugh at each other! I find that this approach gives me REAL laughs, REAL emotions and REAL photos. I’m not a “head up, hand here, look there, waist out, toes in” kind of photographer. I try not to pose you as much as possible and in my opinion, the most natural shots are the best but I’m always there to help you with hand placement, how to stand and where to look IF you need it!

[Gives you a chance to explore the venue]

If you arrange for your engagement shoot to be at your wedding venue, this can be a massive bonus! Firstly, you’ll get to see your wedding venue again and be able to walk around and get excited for your big day. Secondly, this gives your photographer a chance to walk around with you, take on board any ideas of where and how you would like to have your photos, gives us a chance to see where the lighting will be at that time of day which helps with the photos! If you are having a first look, you can explore different options to find the best spot! And thirdly… If you are having a confetti shot, gives you a chance to find a good spot with a nice backdrop for this!

[You’ll get some great photos!]

You’ve just got engaged and you’re planning your wedding, what a great way to document and celebrate the occasion with some pre-wedding photos! You’ll be able to use your engagement photos on your save the dates, wedding website and invitations. I aim to get your engagement photos back to you within 2 weeks with a few preview shots sent over within 24 hours. I wouldn’t want to keep you waiting around for those special photos. You’ll also have access to these on a password protected online gallery, which is also where your wedding photos will be so they’re all in one place!

[You’ll have fun!]

Having fun is what this is all about! A relaxed and informal engagement shoot with your best friend is just an excuse to be silly, mess around and get some stunning photos out of it! The engagement shoot can be whatever you want it to be and I’ll make sure you’re at ease and look back on this as a wonderful experience. Bring some props, bring your pet (if the venue allows) whatever will make this fun for you, let me know and we will make it happen! Plus, it’s a chance to get dressed up for an hour!

[Engagement shoot top tips]

Take any wallets and phones out of your pockets! Or leave them in your car for half an hour! They don’t look very flattering in the photos!

You don’t need your clothes to match each other but make sure your styles do. If one of you turns up in formal wear and the other is in joggers, the photos might not look quite right. Discuss what you’re going to wear in advance.

Don’t be afraid of the weather. Just because you’re having a summer wedding, it doesn’t mean you can’t have some beautiful winter engagement shots. They can be just as good as sunny summer photos! Just make sure you dress appropriately.