The importance of engagement photos

To some, engagement photos may seem like an unnecessary extravagance. However, they are also a great way to make sure that your wedding photos turn out the way you want them to. Establishing a relationship with your photographer by taking engagement photos can help prepare you for the many-unknowns on your wedding day.

Your Photographer

The photographer you hire is the person capturing pictures that will last a lifetime. The last thing you want to be worried about on your wedding day is whether or not he/she is taking the right pictures. An engagement photo session is a great way to talk to your photographer in a more casual and fun way. He/she can experiment with lighting and angles and you’ll get a feel for what your wedding photos may look like. This is also a great time to tell your photographer about your expectations for the wedding, the number of people that will be there, and any important family members you want in your wedding photos. 

Wedding Photos Practice

Have you ever had your photo taken, looked at the results, and thought, “Geez, I wish I’d known that’s what my hair looks like from that angle…”

Engagement photos are a great way to preview how you want to pose for your wedding photos. Your photographer will most likely have advice for you on what to do with your hands, face, shoulders, and other body parts. This will also be a good time for you and your partner to 1) do something fun that is wedding-related and 2) practice taking pictures together. You may realise, like Monica from Friends, that your partner isn’t the greatest at smiling while looking into the camera.

Test out hair and makeup

Similar to the whole practicing thing, you’ll want to give your make-up and hair a test run as well. Sometimes, what looks great in real life doesn’t translate so well into photos. Other times, you may love a hairstyle in photos, but in reality, you spend most of the time picking strands of hair out of your teeth and eyes. An engagement photo session is like a trial run for your hair and make-up styles. You’ll see how they hold up outdoors in the elements and natural lighting, as well as indoors with artificial lighting. Plus, after all the walking around, you’ll get a feel for whether or not your hair will stay put on your big day. Remember that emergency bag we talked about here. Testing out your make-up will let you know what sort of products to bring along in that bag for a touch-up throughout the evening.

Personalised Stationery

Today, with websites like Vistaprint, you can design your own invitations at a low cost. Why not add a personalised touch to them by using engagement pictures? Not only are these pictures great for invitations and RSVPs, they can also be projected onto walls and ceilings of the venue to personalise the space. Like any great Hollywood director will tell you, more footage is always better than not-enough-footage!