Pre-wedding, or an engagement, photoshoot is a session with your wedding photographer that you do in advance before the big day. Usually done a month or two before the wedding – earlier if you want to use the shots for invitations – it’s a great opportunity to make some extra memories. Here’s a list of reasons you should opt for an engagement photosession.
Get comfortable with the photographer
A pre-wedding photoshoot isn’t only for you – it’s also a chance for your photographer to get to know you two as a couple and make sure they can do their best work with you. Every couple, after all, is different, and any good photographer knows that each of them requires a bespoke approach. A photoshoot before the wedding is like a job interview, with you and your partner making sure the photographer is the right fit for you, and them getting to know your photography needs.
Eliminate the anxiety
Not everyone is naturally comfortable in front of a camera. And that’s totally OK! Getting comfortable with your photographer, however, is a great way to get rid or at least mitigate that discomfort. It’s much better to get over your nerves before the big day rather than during the wedding. You want the best photos of your day possible, after all – and they’re only possible if you relax and have a great time. A pre-wedding photoshoot is an excellent opportunity to discuss your anxieties with a professional and work together to eliminate them and build trust.
Make some memories for the wedding album
Each picture in your wedding book would represent a part of the two of you. So why not start it with the pictures from your pre-wedding photoshoot? It’d be a great introduction – a preface if you will – to the brand-new chapter of your life together. This photoshoot is all about the process of getting comfortable, which won’t happen right away. Anyway these are still your memories, which should be treasured. You can also use the pictures for the reception slideshow.
Get some shots for invitations or guestbook
Whether you’re having paper invitations and save-the-date cards, or electronic invitations, photos would be a great addition to them. If you choose that option, make sure to have the photoshoot early on, so that your guests have enough time to plan.
A photo guestbook is also a great way to use the pictures. You can flip through it and enjoy the messages left by your guests next to your beautiful photos as the years go by. This makes it even more personal, doesn’t it?
Have fun!
Last but not least – a pre-wedding photoshoot is a great excuse to have fun with your partner! Given its nature, it can easily be turned into a romantic activity and a way to celebrate your union. With all the wedding prep hustle and bustle, it’s not often a couple gets the chance to actually spend time together, and an engagement photosession is a way to do just that.
