Why Have an Engagement Session?

I hear you. You might be wondering, what is the need for engagement photos? Or are you feeling a little shy about being in front of the camera together? You know you want your wedding day photographed, but aren’t sure for the need of having an engagement session? Let’s be honest, engagement photos can seem unnecessary, but in actuality, they have a WONDERFUL value for many reasons.

As a wedding photographer, I find that some of my couples just KNOW they want to take engagement photos, and others… are not so sure. So here is my answer to the WHY of an engagement session, as well as a guide on how to get the best out of your engagement session. So read on for 6 reasons as to why you should have engagement photos taken, and see my 5 FAQ’s at the bottom for tips on how to get the best out of your engagement session!

1. Wedding Day Rapport (no stranger danger)

As your wedding photographer, I love to arrive on your wedding day as your friend! This means that we have already gotten to know each other, in person, and so that on your wedding day you are both completely comfortable with me. Before your wedding we can meet for coffee and do a photography planning session for your wedding day timeline. But along with a planning session, the BEST way to get to know each other is with an engagement session! It’s the best opportunity for me to get to know you, and vice versa. I love finding out about the two of you: how did you meet, what do you love about each other, what makes you tick as a couple? Your engagement session will give us time to chat, with no wedding day timeline pressures. Let’s stroll through your favorite San Francisco neighborhood, walk the beach at Crissy Field, or climb into the Marin Headlands. I’ll be taking photos along the way, but we will also be getting to know each other. Then on your wedding day, you’ll both feel more relaxed with my presence, and my camera. Documenting your wedding day is like telling a story, and the more I know you two, the better the photographic storytelling will be.

2. Practice Makes Perfect!

The session is both a celebration of you two, and of your engagement together. But in a way it’s also like a practice session for being photographed—professionally— together, before your wedding day. Understandably, most people are not accustomed to being photographed professionally. Maybe you have had your headshot taken for work, or maybe some family photos. But otherwise, it’s a new experience to have a professional photographer clicking their camera towards you! I completely understand that can feel a bit uncomfortable. In fact, most couples like to warn me that they are “not photogenic.” But I don’t believe that being photogenic is about beauty standards. It’s really about showing the camera the happy, passionate, silly, and loving people that you are together! When you show me who you are and let your guard down, and show your joy for each other, you are photogenic! The camera loves authenticity. If you feel relaxed and show me how happy you two are right now in this moment of your life, we will make beautiful photos.

Most of my couples tell me they love the candid photos the most. And if you love those “in-between” moments as much as I do, then they will come to life when you two are feeling relaxed, happy, and are letting yourselves be fully present in the moment. Let your worries go and just enjoy being together in whatever beautiful location we have picked. Show your personalities, laugh, tease each other, have fun! That is where the magic happens. I will of course give direction and guidance, but ultimately I am looking to see what looks and feels most natural for the two of you. And when your wedding day comes, having taken your engagement photos will have helped you be more at ease and confident for photos!

“If you feel relaxed and show me how happy you two are right now in this moment of your life, we will make beautiful photos.”

3. Learn to Trust Your Photographer (and the magic will follow)!

Show me who you are, and show me how you are together as a couple. It’s understandable to feel a little nervous on camera, but I like to think of it as: you two are out on a date and I am a friend that came along (third wheelin’ it!). Great images will be created from our collaboration. So let yourselves have fun, be romantic with each other, and let yourselves simply BE. Your chemistry as a couple will shine through, and those are the images I want to capture for you! You have made it official, you’re getting married, and this is the time to celebrate that with some photos! Your wedding day is a big event, but your engagement should be celebrated too. I’ve found my couples are often pleasantly surprised when they receive their engagement photo gallery. That even if they remember feeling a little awkward on the inside, I will always look for your natural best selves and will capture that. And when you are happy with your engagement photos, it will give you confidence for your photographs on your wedding day.

“Great images will be created from our collaboration.”

4. Show Your Styles!

One great reason to have an engagement session is to show your styles! Whether you go for more casual, dapper, preppy, boho, or glam, this is a chance to get some really nice photos of the two of you in your choice of clothing. You will have lots of beautiful photos together from your wedding day, wearing your wedding attire. But for your engagement session, you can really wear your style, and showcase your personalities. You can also bring an outfit change and go from casual to dressy for the second half of the session.

5. It’s a Chance For the Two of You to Reconnect

Let’s be honest, planning a wedding can be stressful! There is a lot that goes into the planning, so many decisions to be made, budgets to consider, and family dynamics to juggle. It can start to feel like work. So let your engagement session be a reminder as to why you are going through all this! You two love each other, that’s why. All your family and friends want to celebrate the two of you. So take this engagement session time to reconnect with each other. Engagement sessions should be fun and we can plan a location or activity that makes you two happiest. It could be where you had your first date, or where you got engaged. Pick a meaningful location and the photos will be all the more special to the two of you.

6. You Can Use Your Beautiful Photos for your Wedding Website, Save the Date, and Wedding Day Decor

Nowadays it’s common to have a wedding website filled with helpful info for your guests. But what imagery will you fill the website with? Voila, your engagement session photos! Or planning to send a Save the Date and would love a nice photo are two to include on it? Boom, your engagement photos come in handy. What about a Guest Sign-In book at your reception with your favorite photos from your engagement session? It makes for a great keepsake after your wedding.

FREQUENT ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What should we wear?

Since I mentioned an engagement session is a great way to showcase your style, this one is a great question and probably the most frequently asked!

First off, pick clothing you like and makes you feel good in. Your confidence will show! Secondly, pick clothing you can move in. We will be on location and on the go! I love photos with movement so being able to have the ability to move easily: sit, stand, piggy back ride, etc., are important! Thirdly, pick clothes that represents your style, with consideration of what your partner is wearing:

1) Contrasts - If one of you is wearing darker tones, then the other should wear lighter tones. You’ll be close together for a lot of the session and it’s important you don’t blend into each other.

2) Colors - I love and encourage bright colors. Often we are taking engagement photos in a natural setting with more neutral tones, so wearing a vibrant color really helps you pop! If one of you wears a bright color, then I recommend that your partner wears more neutral tones for balance.

3) Patterns - These are fun too, but the same rule for colors applies. If one of you wears a strong pattern, the other should wear solids for contrast.

2. Can I bring my dog?

Yes please! I love our furry friends! And they bring out the BEST smiles! Just consider that you may not want your pup in all of your photos, so having a safe place for them to hang out for a while, or a friend that can watch them while we take photos, is super helpful.

3. How do we pick a location?

There are so many amazing photo locations in San Francisco and the Bay Area! I can help you brainstorm ideas. Are there any places special to you two, like where you got engaged, a park you like to go to together, your favorite SF neighborhood, or even an activity that you like to do together? Want to row a boat at Stow Lake? Wander the Presidio and the old military bunkers? Hike the Marin Headlands? Or would you really like to have San Francisco’s most iconic Golden Gate Bridge in some of your photos? Do you like to cook together? There are lots of possibilities and most importantly your engagement session should be fun and highlight you two being together.

4. What about wearing make-up?

Make-up is a great way to accentuate your naturally beautiful features. I do encourage some make-up, as some of your photos will be taken at a distance, and make-up help enhance your features. If you like to wear make-up regularly, I would recommend a bit more than your normal, everyday make-up. One idea is if you are planning to do a trial run with your hair and make-up artist for your wedding, you could plan that trial just before your engagement session. And regarding hair styles, keep in mind that coastal locations can be foggy and windy. Ladies if you plan to wear your hair up on your wedding day, wearing it down might be nice for your engagement photos. Lastly, be sure to give yourselves plenty of time before the session to plan out your outfits and make-up, so you don’t feel rushed.

5. Anything else we should know before our engagement session?

Yes! Timing makes perfect when it comes to the light, so most often it’s best to have your session around sunset, aka the Magic Hour! That golden, late day light will make all the difference for your photos. We could also plan for early morning, which can be a less busy time at a lot of great locations.

Also, no cell phones! Please don’t leave your cell phone in your pants pockets. Guys, this goes especially for you! If there are any personal items like cell phones, keys, wallets, or a small make-up bag that you would like to bring with you, I can hold them in my camera bag. I want you two to be free to hold hand and not bags.

Questions? Interested in booking your engagement session? Contact Sonya here.

See more examples of Sonya’s engagement photography work here!

Do you both love the great outdoors and don’t mind a little hike? Let’s head to the Marin Headlands, like in this engagement session.

How are your boat-rowing skills? Want to go to Golden Gate Park’s Stow Lake and paddle around in a boat? Check out this engagement session.

Need a location suggestion? One of my personal favorite engagement photo spots in San Francisco, is the magical Sutro Baths at Lands End.

If you’ve had your engagement photos taken and have any tips to share, I would love to hear them! Feel free to leave comments below!