Every package I offer includes a complimentary engagement photoshoot. That’s not an accident — it’s one of the things I feel most strongly about when it comes to getting the best possible wedding photographs.
Here’s why.
Most people hate having their photo taken
I know this because couples tell me all the time. I get it, I hate having my photo taken too (it’s part of the reason I like being the other side of the camera). There’s something about a camera pointing at you that makes even the most naturally confident person suddenly forget what to do with their hands.
The problem is, that awkwardness doesn’t just disappear on your wedding day. If anything, the pressure of the occasion makes it worse. Which is why meeting me, and my camera, before the big day makes such a difference.
An engagement photoshoot is really about getting comfortable
Yes, you’ll come away with a lovely set of photographs. But the real purpose of an engagement shoot is to spend an hour in front of the camera with me before your wedding day so that by the time we’re together on the day itself, you’ve already done this before.
You know how I work. You know what I’ll ask you to do. You’ve already had the slightly awkward five minutes at the beginning where you’re not sure where to look, and you’ve come out the other side of it looking great in the photographs. That experience is genuinely invaluable.
By the time your wedding day arrives, you trust me. And that changes everything.
It helps me too
An engagement shoot isn’t just useful for you, it’s useful for me as well. I get to learn how you move together, which angles work best, how you interact when you’re relaxed. I get to understand your personalities before the most important day of your lives rather than during it.
The best wedding portraits happen when there’s a genuine rapport between a couple and their photographer. An engagement shoot builds that rapport in a low-stakes environment so it’s already there on your wedding day.
Where can you have an engagement shoot?
Anywhere that means something to you. The most common option is outdoors at a beautiful natural location such as Kinver Edge, if you’d prefer a more controlled environment there’s always my Studio.
Some couples use their engagement shoot as a chance to visit their wedding venue ahead of the day, which has the added bonus of helping me scout the location at the same time. Others prefer somewhere completely different, it genuinely doesn’t matter where, as long as you feel comfortable there.
What about the photographs?
You’ll receive a full set of edited images from your engagement shoot, delivered via your online gallery with the option (no pressure!) to purchase prints and digital copies. Often couples use them then for save the dates, wedding websites, table plans, or just as a lovely set of portraits before the wedding. Sometimes it’s purely an experience with no prints or digitals after, and that’s completely fine.
Still camera shy?
Good. That’s exactly who engagement shoots are designed for. I’ve photographed plenty of couples who were convinced they were completely unphotogenic and came away from their engagement shoot surprised by how much they loved the results. The secret isn’t posing, it’s relaxing. And the only way to relax in front of a camera is to spend a bit of time in front of one.
If you’re nervous, tell me. We’ll take it slowly, have a laugh, and I promise you’ll forget the camera is there long before the hour is up.
Ready to book?
Every one of my wedding photography packages includes a complimentary studio or location engagement shoot as standard. If you’d like to find out more about availability or have a chat about your wedding, get in touch here. You can also take a look at some engagement shoot examples such as Hannah & Jason, Emily & Dave, Isobel & Ed on the Blog to see what to expect.
And if you want to know more about how I work, the about page is a great place to start.