When you get engaged there are so many things to think about. After all, you have a wedding to plan! But don’t leave out taking engagement photos. Many photographers work with you on engagement session pricing – or even include a session – if you book them for your wedding day, so don’t miss the opportunity to work with your photographer.

This article is an updated repost of a piece written by Liz Cook.

Engagement Photos – Reasons to Have Engagement Sessions

I cannot stress enough the importance of scheduling engagement sessions with your chosen wedding photographer. Brides often think the only result of an engagement session is the final pictures. There really are many reasons engagement photography is beneficial to both the couple and the photographer.

If your wedding day photography is important to you, taking engagement photos should be right near the top of your wedding planning priorities.

1. Engagement Sessions Let You Get to Know Your Photographer

Each photographer is different in the way they approach a session. Preparing for the session, interacting with the couple, and setting up shots can all be done in different ways producing a different end product.

No matter how engagement photography is handled, chances are very good your photographer will treat your wedding day in a similar fashion. Engagement photos offer a great chance for you to experience being in front of your photographer’s camera.

It also helps you get a feel of how the pictures will flow on your wedding day. Doing this before your wedding day really helps to shake any “picture-taking” nerves ahead of time.

A quality photographer will know how to take engagement photos that you’ll love!

2. Engagement Photographers Can Get to Know You

I highly suggest booking an engagement session with each of my clients. Why? It gives me the opportunity to learn how my clients interact with each other in front of the camera.

Sometimes they want to kiss in front of the camera, sometimes they don’t. Often times they are afraid they are going to look awkward in the pictures. Other times they prefer to model for me.

Every couple is unique in the way that they behave in front of the camera. The best engagement photos come from knowing this information before the wedding day. It is crucial in my finding ways to encourage natural interaction between a bride and groom.

Engagement photographers can help you get comfy in front of the camera before your wedding. Photo: Jasmine Carter

3. Taking Engagement Photos Gives You a Product Preview

From a client perspective, this may be the most beneficial aspect of booking an engagement session. Through the final product, you are able to see the photographer’s vision of the relationship between you and your fiancée.

In addition, you can observe some other things that may matter to you as well. Things like turnaround time, the quality of any products you purchase (guestbooks, prints, etc), and general customer service. All of these things can help you decide if you want to continue with your decision to hire that person as the photographer of your wedding day.

The best engagement photos come when you feel free to be yourself with your love.

There Are Benefits Beyond Unique Engagement Photos

There are more benefits to booking engagement photos than just receiving the final prints. If you want to get the most out of your wedding day photography, I would highly suggest you book engagement photography and treat it as a trial run for your big day.

Love this? Find a bit of engagement photography inspiration here.