Engagement shoots are one of my favourite types of sessions to photograph! As an Edmonton engagement photographer, it gives me a chance to get to know my couples better, helps me make them feel more comfortable in front of the camera. And bonus: they are a lot of fun.
1. Building Connections
It’s a great way to connect with your photographer and to help them get to know you better.
Just about every couple tells me they aren’t entirely comfortable in front of the camera or feel they’re awkward in photos. For couples who are nervous, having an Edmonton engagement session can be a great way to get comfortable before the big day. I think a universal fear some couples have about not enjoying their photo session. Or about not liking being photographed on their wedding day is entirely valid.
So, reason one is for those couples! The engagement shoot is a chance for us to get to know each other. It allows me, your photographer, to get to know you as a couple. Which, in turn, can create more personal images and better photos on the wedding day. Your chemistry, personalities and comfort levels give me cues to help me plan your wedding-day photo shoot. You may or may not be surprised to know that, even after shooting weddings for the last 17 years, I get those wedding-day nerves too.
You’ll also get to know your photographer and get a sense of how they shoot. Over the years, couples have told me after their engagement shoot that it wasn’t as painful as they thought it would be. That they actually had fun together. And that sense of relief creates confidence going forward for the wedding day.
The goal outcome: I become someone you know and trust. Because we’ve already worked together, you now trust the process and trust me. Allowing me to get closer to you in emotional moments. The rest of your wedding guests will take cues from your energy and follow suit. Better candid photos!
I already knew Kirk so this couple Edmonton engagement shoot was a chance to get to know them as a couple.
This review from my bride, Aislinn, explains that feeling further:
“Lauren managed to fit into our wedding and capture the moments. It honestly felt like they were just more of our wonderful guests!”
We can even grab a coffee together during the shoot 🙂
Hope & Prince in a studio session during the wintertime
2. More flexibility.
On the wedding date, we may be limited by time and geography. Engagement sessions can be done at unique locations and incorporate acitivities and props that may not be practical on the big day!
I’ve done shoots at family farms in the country, in the mountains and other special eatery spots that were sentimental to the couple. These are places we may not have been able to go to on the wedding day.
We went to Maki Maki Japanese restaurant for this Edmonton Engagement session!
It was Aislinn’s idea to bring rubber boots to the river valley. This is a spot this couple often walks so the location feel recognizable was they look back on the photos!
Elena & Adam originally wanted a mountain wedding, but the logistics didn’t work out. They still wanted a way to include the mountains in their wedding. We spent the afternoon frolicking in the snow. In the evening, we to to know these two over pizza (their treat). Their generous and fun spirits make me even more excited to be a part of their wedding day.
Include Pets
Dogs are family, but they may not be invited to the wedding (maybe they get overwhelmed by too many people, or the venue may not allow animals). A lot of my couples are dog lovers, so, of course, we include their pup in their engagement session at a dog-friendly locations! I’ve even photographed beloved cats.
Hiker the blue heeler stealing the show on the Cline River!
Jenni and Joe met at a friend’s get-together, and their love story began over a spirited game of cards. Their love story grew through rock climbing. So, we did a little urban rock climbing during their session.
This one was fun! We were going back and forth about whether to cancel because the forecast called for rain, but the skies were clear. Dramatic weather during an engagement shoot can actually be incredible. Halfway through, a sun shower poured a little storm on us. She kicked off her shoes, and I ran to the car and grabbed an umbrella. A crisp rainbow appeared through the dark clouds that had soon formed. That’s not something you can plan.
We (us and the couple) drove up from Edmonton only to discover our session planned in Banff was going to be in the pouring rain. We couldn’t change that fact, so we embraced the storm and this couple’s engagement photos turned out so romantic!
3. Get comfortable in front of the camera!
Trust me, the engagement session helps to get those nerves out of the way before the big day.
If you’ve never been photographed by a professional photographer, you may be unsure of what to expect. Most of my couples remark after the shoot that they thought they would feel really awkward and stiff, but that in fact, they felt relaxed and had a great time with us. I love hearing that!
To create relaxed portraits of you two, I use prompts and movement to create natural moments and authentic expressions. That said, I’ll also guide you through the posing process: where to put your hands, which direction to look in.
I was hired by a groom for a proposal, disguised as a photoshoot for the bride-to-be. We had fun shooting outdoors, and the groom popped the question. My lovely bride said “yes”, of course (she had been waiting for this moment). Afterwards, to express how nervous she’d been for the shoot, she wasn’t sure she wanted to do it, but her nerves went away as she got comfortable with us, and she was able to just enjoy the experience of getting engaged.
4. This is a great day do your hair and makeup trial.
If you’re planning a hair and makeup trial, you might consider booking it for the same day as your engagement session. That way, you can see how your hair and, especially, your makeup will photograph on the wedding day. And either will solidify your choices or help you make the changes necessary. If you’re a make- up persons, professional makeup can also give your engagement look a bit of polish.
I chatted with a few bride recently who told me that after they seen their makeup look in the engagement photos they decided they want to go more neutral or natural then their trail look. Or decide to go more glam.
If you’re a make- up person, professional makeup and hair done can also give your engagement look a bit of polish. I’ve never been great at doing my hair so having a professional take care of it for my photos gave me a little boost of confidence.
Teresa & Nicolo during their cosy Downtown Edmonton engagement session
Robin & Mark had their shoot in Jasper
5. Celebrate your engagement.
It’s an exciting time, and why not document the era before you are married? I like to make the engagement session feel a bit like a date night. We may spend time at a spot that is special to you, do something you both like, or just cuddle in the park. It’s better to create some memories together rather than just fabricate them.
It’s also a great way to capture you two as a couple, in clothes that reflect your everyday style and a setting that feels like you. Since many couple photos are selfies, you’ll get a different, less formal but professional set of photos to look back on! Plus, share that excitement with friends and family by posting or sharing invitations or save the date!
Jenn & Spencer’s Edmonton Engagement shoot at the Muttart
Devon & Cory brought their amazing style to their shoot!
Check out Vanessa & Will’s Edmonton fall engagement shoot!
We shot inside Rogers place for this Oilers loving couple
and went go to a pool hall for this one!
To put eyes on more engagement sessions check out the lovely couples below:
Alison & Scott’s session at the Corn Maze
Carolyn & Josh’s Edmonton engagement session
Urban engagement session with Rachel & Rich
Winter session with Candace & Brett
