What is a Pre-Wedding Shoot and Do I Need One?
Ryan & Connor at Coughton Ford
A pre-wedding photo shoot, or sometimes called an engagement session, is the perfect way to capture yourselves as a soon-to-be-wed couple. It will help you feel more prepared for your big day and gives you a chance to get to know me a little better, enabling you to feel more comfortable with me as your photographer.
The images you receive are a wonderful way to celebrate the start of your wedding planning journey and are great for using as ‘Save The Dates’ or for a bespoke guest book for your wedding day. What's not to love?
The fact is that a pre-wedding session will always benefit your wedding day. You will feel more at ease with the process, we will have a more developed relationship, you will have a better idea of the kind of photos that you like of you (rather than a Pinterest board of strangers photos that you love that you don’t really know if they will work for you both as a couple).
If you recoil in horror at the thought of a photoshoot, you will benefit hugely, I include them in my most comprehensive package for a reason.
Thinking about having a pre-wedding shoot but not quite sure?
Over the past few years, these sessions have become quite common with couples. There are so many benefits to having an engagement shoot. Let's dive in.
Abi & Lucas at Clevedon Pier.
You get amazing photos - This reason is pretty self explanatory. Most couples are not professional models so have never been on a photoshoot or in front of a professional camera. Let's face it, for most people, the only photos they have together are selfies. Having some amazing shots of you as a couple leading up to your wedding day is a brilliant way to kick-start your wedding planning.
It helps you get comfortable in front of the camera - An engagement shoot helps to break the ice and feel comfortable about how we'll be working together on the day. The more time you spend around someone, the more you get to know them and in turn the more comfortable you will feel with me as your photographer on the day. I love getting to know my couples and hearing all your fun stories, it helps me to get a feel for you as a couple and likewise I hope it will give you a feel for me too. The session also helps me to understand how best to guide you to ensure everything runs a little more smoothly on your day.
Finding out what works for you as a couple - Most couples have not been in front of the camera, you may not know what shots you like or what you don’t like or maybe you do. This is great for finding out what works for you as a couple. What shots you love and what shots you don't like as much.
No time restrictions/or timeline – it’s all about you! Wedding days can be busy and feel like it’s over in the blink of an eye. Couples Session are nice and relaxed. Nothing staged, not too posey. It’s just you being you.
Jo & Felix at Hanbury Hall
Top tip for your pre-wedding session
When thinking about booking your pre-wedding session, many couples book their hair and make-up trial before the session so that you can see if you like how it feels for a few hours and also how it actually photographs. This gives you a chance to make any last minute tweaks before the big day if you'd like to.
A slideshow of images from Ellie and Josh’s pre-wedding session at Wyre Forest
Don’t forget to head over to the wedding photography service page to discover more about pre-wedding sessions.