Engagement photos, what the hell are they? Why do we need them? Are they really THAT important?  Do aliens really exist? If you’re recently engaged, these might be some questions you’ve been pondering and wondering. To some, engagement photos might not seem super important. But, I have to disagree! Below are 3 reasons why you should do engagement photos and 1 reason why you shouldn’t. 

1. The “I don’t know what to do with my hands” nightmare

Let’s face it, most of us are uncomfortable being in front of a camera. Heck, even I am and I have been a photographer for 10 years. I still get the weird willies down in my stomach and start acting weird because I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH MY HANDS. Believe me, you’re not alone. 

Doing an engagement session before your wedding is like a test shoot. Getting the chance to settle into being in front of a camera before your wedding is huge. There’s nothing like dreading your wedding day because you will be in front of a camera for the whole day. Engagement photos are a good way to get more relaxed and comfortable in front of your photographer’s camera. 

2. Get to know your photographer and their style 

This is just as much for your photographer as it is for you. Personally, I love getting to do engagement photos for my couples because it gives us a chance to get to know each other.  Couples also get to see how I document people during sessions and gain a little glimpse of what I do on wedding days. If during your session or after your session, you felt like your photographer and you didn’t click and you weren’t into their finished photos, then you can evaluate and see if you want to keep working with them. It’s a test run of sorts. 

3. To document this time in your lives

Most people will only be engaged once. (shit happens, I know!) Why not take this opportunity to document this time in your lives?! AND when you’re done with your engagement photos, why not make it into a killer date night opportunity? 

4. If you aren’t engaged. 

Good news is, if you aren’t engaged, you can still do photos with the one that you love the most. Whether you’ve been dating for 1 month or 7, have been married for 2 years or 60, there’s always a reason to have photos done. 

P.S. Aliens do exist …