Do We Need to Have an Engagement Shoot?

Engagement photos, pre-wedding shoot, and practice shoot. Lots of different names for the same thing! But do you need an engagement shoot, and is it worth it? Let's answer some of those questions so that you can make the most out of your photos.

First thing, it's all up to you. No one will ever force you to book a pre-wedding shoot, and if you don't want one, then don't have one, but let's look at some of the reasons I hear to not have one and why, actually, they're the reasons TO have one.

• "I don't smile properly"

• "We feel awkward about it"

• "We're not into PDA (public displays of affection)"

• "I hate being the centre of attention"

• "I'm not photogenic" I need to jump in here, this one breaks my heart... everyone is photogenic!

• "We don't need one, we've been engaged for ages"
  

Do any of these sound like something you would say? If you're here, I'm willing to bet there's at least one in that list you can relate to. In fact, every single one of those reasons is exactly why a pre-wedding shoot is worth doing.

So do you need an engagement shoot, and what does it actually involve?

I call them pre-wedding shoots rather than engagement shoots. An engagement shoot sounds like you're announcing you're engaged, like when Taylor and Travis released the photos taken in his backyard to announce theirs. Very few people do this! Actually, unless you've had someone photograph the proposal, I don't know anyone in the UK who has done this, who is also an everyday human and not royalty (actual royalty or popstar).

I call it a pre-wedding shoot, because it happens before the wedding. It's not about coming away with hundreds of beautiful photos where you look catwalk-ready in every single one; it's actually about us getting to know each other before the actual wedding day, and for all of us to learn together what works and what doesn't, because every couple is different. We'll try a variation of things, some will work, and some really won't. We'll try new things together, and we'll do some of my old faithfuls. Most importantly, we'll have a good giggle and probably finish up at the local pub.

When should we have a pre-wedding shoot?

I'll ask you about 6 months before the wedding if you'd like one, or if it's part of your package, I'll send you some location and date suggestions. 6 months gives us plenty of time to handle any last-minute weather changes, but also a good range of seasons to play with. You may have a time of year in mind already, like spring in a forest carpeted with bluebells, or summer in a field of blue cornflowers, or autumn in a golden arboretum. If that's the case, let me know asap so that I can pencil it in.

What do we get out of a pre-wedding shoot?

The most important thing you get is confidence! I promise you'll finish the shoot saying "actually that was really fun" and any nerves about having your photo taken on the day will disappear. As I said, I don't promise hundreds of perfect photos, but you'll definitely get a good few of the two of you having a wonderful time in the outdoors. You might even use them for your wedding as decoration! People often choose to add their pre-wedding photos to their venue decor alongside photos of the two of them over the years. It's a wonderful continuation of the story that is you.