Until recently, I included engagement photo sessions in every wedding collection. Why? Because they are such a benefit and even help your wedding day go so much smoother!

From calming nerves to practical matters like creating save the dates, the benefits are endless. But to make it easier, here’s the top 5 reasons to do an engagement photo session with your wedding photographer!

1. It gives you a chance to get to know your photographer

Your wedding day is full of moments that are saturated in emotion. Moments that you’ve probably been picturing your entire life. You’ll be with your spouse, your best friends, and your family. You’ll be laughing, crying, and overwhelmed with all the good emotions. Do you really want someone you just met there too? Probably not! An engagement session is just us hanging out for a few hours and talking (while simultaneously getting great engagement photos!) Of course, we’ll talk on the phone, through email, and in our private JLP Brides Facebook group, too. By the time your wedding day rolls around, it usually feels like were old friends!

2. I can learn who YOU are as a couple.

Every couple is unique. Period. By meeting you both prior to your wedding, and just watching you together in a relaxed setting, I can see who you are as a couple.  My goal is always to make sure you look your best- while also looking like you! Your photos should look natural, happy, and match your personalities! During an engagement session, we have the advantage of extra time to figure that all out, so on your wedding day, we don’t waste any time & just jump right in to creating the most gorgeous, true to you photos of you & your spouse! 

3. You get to test drive your wedding day hair & makeup

It’s the perfect time to book your hair & makeup trials. It takes the stress away from having to get ready, and you get to see how the look will photograph on camera!

4. You have great photos for Engagement announcements, Save the Dates, Wedding Websites, Guest books, etc.

An engagement photo session is the perfect time to get great photos of you as a couple. Create Save the Dates and let your guests know when and where the wedding will be so they can make travel arrangements. Use them on your wedding website, guest books, or engagement announcements. These photos are much more casual than your wedding portraits and can be used in so many ways!

5. It calms nerves!

It’s normal to be nervous in front of the camera! I am still nervous in front of the camera! It’s a weird experience at first and most of us aren’t used to being photographed professionally. You don’t know what to expect, or what to do, and you want good photos but are afraid you’ll look awkward!

Here’s the thing. My job is making you look awesome. It’s not your responsibility- it’s mine. All while making it easy & fun. Promise!

An engagement session is the best way to ease nerves. You’ll see just how casual & easy it is and I will walk you through everything!

It is also a great chance to build trust. Getting your photos back and seeing beautiful photos can be taken on sunny days, cloudy days, rainy days, in crowded area, helps our couples to trust our vision & sets us up to work as a team to get even better photos on your wedding day.

Tip: Is your groom unsure about doing engagement photos?

I’ve found that the engagement shoot is usually when we have a chance to win them over! They’re understandably nervous too! Almost every shoot ends with grooms saying it wasn’t “as bad as they thought it would be” and that they actually had fun. Plus, they get to spend the evening basking in the golden hour light while holding your hand. Win win!

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Next week, I’ll post my favorite engagement photo locations on Long Island so you can check them out yourself! From beaches to parks to farms!