Introduction

Are engagement sessions necessary? You’re going to have your wedding day photos taken at some point, so why not make them as amazing as possible? Engagement shoots are a great way to get comfortable in front of the camera and plan out your poses ahead of time. It can also be an opportunity for you and your partner to explore ideas for locations, or even just spend some time together without wedding stresses. We recommend booking an engagement shoot if you have never had professional photos done before and especially if it’s been a while since any type of photo shoot!

What is an engagement session?

An engagement session is a photo shoot with your partner or couple. It’s an opportunity to practice posing and get comfortable in front of the camera, as well as a chance to get to know your photographer. You can use the photos for save-the-dates or wedding invitations, or just keep them all for yourselves!

For those of you who aren’t sure whether or not you need an engagement session, here are some pros and cons:

Who is an engagement session for?

You’re not in this alone. Engagement sessions are for anyone who wants to practice posing, get comfortable in front of the camera, and have a great time doing it! Your photographer will be able to help you come up with poses and ideas that make you look like you belong on the cover of your favorite magazine.

If any of those things sound fun to you, engagement sessions can be amazing! It’s also a great idea if you want some time before your wedding day to practice being in front of the camera. This way when it comes time for wedding photos, everyone will know exactly how they want their pictures taken (and where all their best angles are).

Is an engagement session essential?

Engagement sessions are not essential. If you feel confident at the camera and have a clear idea of what you want, an engagement session is not required. If, on the other hand, this is your first time having a photo taken of yourself or if you are uncomfortable in front of the camera, then an engagement session can help put both parties at ease before the wedding day. It will also give us a chance to practice working together before our big day!

Why do we need an engagement session before the wedding day?

Engagement sessions are a great way to get comfortable in front of the camera, plan your poses ahead of time, and get used to working with a photographer. They also help with planning your outfits, location and timing.

What should you wear to your engagement shoot?

First things first: you should feel comfortable in whatever you choose to wear. If the dress is so tight that it hurts your ribs or there’s a chance of wardrobe malfunctions, don’t wear it. Choose something that reflects your personality and is flattering to your figure—even if that means foregoing the most formal dress in favor of an outfit with more personality.

As for what not to wear, keep in mind some basic rules: nothing too revealing (this can be tricky when choosing a wedding gown), nothing uncomfortable (an ill-fitting pair of pants can ruin an otherwise great photo), and nothing too formal (the engagement shoot isn’t the time to bust out all those tuxedos).

Where should you go for your engagement shoot?

When choosing a location, it’s important to think about what you’re hoping to get out of your engagement shoot. Do you want a natural setting that will highlight your love for the outdoors? Maybe a cityscape will better capture your adventurous spirit. Or maybe there’s an old building in town that means something to both of you! The possibilities are endless, but we’ve found that the best locations tend to be those with meaning for the couple and their photographers.

All this being said, locations can be tricky—especially if they involve getting permission from property owners or managing crowds (like parks). It’s easy enough to fall into someone’s shot when they’re walking through Times Square (or any other crowded place), so make sure everyone knows where they need to be before starting!

A few other things worth considering: does the weather look good? What time will we start shooting (and how long is each session)? Is there enough time between sessions so we can get photos at least one more location?

How should you pose for an engagement shoot?

To help you get in the right mindset, here are some tips on how to pose for your engagement session.

Pose #1: Relax and enjoy the experience! The point of an engagement session isn’t just to take photos; it’s also a great time to reconnect with your partner while having fun in front of the camera. It’s easy to get caught up in posing and trying out different poses, but remember that this is supposed to be fun!

In this photo by Sarah Moretti Photography, we see a couple who has relaxed enough with their photographer that they’re able to share an intimate moment together without looking into the camera lens at all. This helps tell their story about falling in love without being too staged or forced—something we’d love every couple we work with achieve on their own wedding day!

If you’re struggling for ideas for a location, try the following locations.

You’re not alone if you’re struggling to come up with ideas for locations. You may have even been on your own engagement shoot and found yourself in an awkward position when it came to location scouting. Don’t worry! There are plenty of places that can work for a variety of people, whether you love the beach or prefer more urban settings. Here are some suggestions:

• A field
• Beach
• Forest
• Park (especially good if there are playgrounds nearby)
• Restaurant (make sure the waiter knows what’s going on when you’re taking photos)
• Hotel Room

An engagement session is one of the best ways to get comfortable in front of the camera and to plan your poses ahead of time.

An engagement session is one of the best ways to get comfortable in front of the camera and to plan your poses ahead of time. It allows you to see how the photographer works, get used to their style and feel more confident on your wedding day. It’s also a great way to get used to posing. When you take photos with your partner it can be difficult at first because you don’t want them looking at you or smiling too much so it takes some practice before things start feeling natural. An engagement session will give you time for this practice as well as help figure out which locations work best for pictures!

Conclusion

Engagement sessions are a great way to get comfortable in front of the camera and plan your poses ahead of time. Whether you’re a professional model or not, it’s always good practice to work on your posing skills. The more you do this, the more natural it will feel when you’re on your big day!