Engagement sessions are one of my favorite types of sessions. The couples are always so excited to be there and are absolutely infatuated with each other. Engagement photos are usually the first professional portraits that couples take together, and it is so fun for me to be there guiding them through it and capturing their love on camera. While it’s true that you can have any photographer take your engagement photos, today I am talking about why you should get your engagement photos done by the same photographer that will be doing your wedding. 

Time

The couple in these portraits has a wedding date booked with me in October. We planned their engagement session for almost a whole year before their wedding date! This may seem like a long time, but it is so important to book as far out as you can right now. The wedding industry is still playing catch-up from the pandemic a couple of years ago. Many vendors are booked out for at least a year. One of the first things you do after getting engaged is to find a photographer to take your engagement photos. Booking the same photographer for your wedding at the same time you set up your engagement session ensures that you are on their wedding schedule as early as possible. 

Test Run

When your wedding photographer also takes your engagement photos, you can treat the engagement session as a kind of test run. You can find out how you and your photographer actually work together in a photo session. This is the perfect time to bring up any insecurities that you have about portraits and really let the photographer get to know your personality. I will always take note of how the couple interacts during the engagement session, their sense of humor, what they are comfortable with, and anything that makes them uncomfortable. The engagement session is the perfect time to adjust things if necessary and buff out personalities prior to the wedding day. If you use a new photographer for your wedding, they will not have had the opportunity to get to know you and your preferences in that way. 

Tips

Having a wedding photographer on board from the very beginning can be a huge help during wedding planning. They can be a wealth of knowledge and a great resource for you as you are hashing out the details of your big day. When your wedding photographer has also taken your engagement photos, you will feel more comfortable asking them questions throughout the planning process. I am always happy to help my clients with whatever I can. I want your day to go smoothly as you do. Whether it is wedding vendor recommendations or outfit help, your photographer will be just a phone call away right from the beginning! 

In summary, find a photographer whose style you love and book them for both your engagement photos and your wedding date. Not only will you have a wedding expert on call throughout your wedding planning process, but you will know from your engagement session experience that you are going to love your wedding photographer and wedding portraits.