What is a pre-wedding photography session?

The pre-wedding photo session (or ‘Engagement Session’) is a fun way to build a relationship with the wedding photographer before the big day and to help you feel more comfortable with being photographed on your wedding day. Seeing the results of your pre-wedding session will help you both feel confident that you’ll both look fantastic in your wedding photos.

The session also helps the photographer get to know you… what works for you, how affectionate are you with each other, how relaxed are you, are you laid back or more businesslike… what is the best angle to shoot you for flatter you better.

It’s a good idea to have this session at the wedding venue so you can walk around with your photographer, discuss ideas, and finalize plans and timing. A good photographer will be open to ideas, so if you have a favorite rural or urban spot you’d like to be photographed in, let them know! Most couples dress down for the shoot, but hey…if you want to wear a party dress in the middle of a forest or by a canal to create a fashion shoot feel, why not? Make sure you choose a photographer who is creative enough to create the look you want.

A spring pre-wedding session is ideal. After the pre-wedding session, you will have the opportunity to purchase images from the session. Some photographers will offer a free enlargement as part of the price. Some even mount the print for you and then display it at the wedding so guests can sign (or just admire!) your beautiful engagement photo.