Why an Engagement Session is Important When Planning Your Wedding Photography

I have a lot of clients ask why I include anphotograph.
engagement session for all of my weddingMost of my engagement shoots takes place in and
photography clients. Often I hear, "We don't needaround Boston, but I encourage couples to schedule
more photos" or, "Can we save a few dollars andthem in locations that are important to them. Did you
skip the engagement session?"have your first date at a bar near your apartment?
Well sure we can, but you really shouldn't.Your first kiss on Boston Harbor, or the Boston Public
An engagement session is an opportunity for you toGardens? Let's shoot your engagement photos there
see how the photographer works. Is he slow and- somewhere meaningful to you.
deliberate? Does he shoot "run and gun" style? InAlso, if the opportunity is available, some clients like
fact, your engagement shoot is likely the firstto combine their engagement session with a visit to
opportunity you've had to spend any real time withtheir actual wedding venue. This gives both the
your photographer since you booked them - takecouple and the photographer the opportunity to walk
advantage of that! Ask questions, tell them thingsthrough the location and get a sense of where things
you love about photos, about yourself and yourwill take place on the day of - and it gives the couple
future spouse - the making of great photos has toa chance to point out spots they might want images
be a collaboration - think of your engagement sessionshot (and I find it often gets my mind thinking about
as the first creative session that will result in greatcool photos I'll be able to make as well). This is
photos on your wedding day.especially true if your wedding isn't say, a popular
I tell each and every client (and it really couldn't bespot in downtown Boston that I've shot at before.
more true), that the more time we spend togetherIn conclusion, you can skip your engagement session
prior to your wedding, the smoother things will go onbut when you're investing thousands of dollars in your
your day. This is true for a ton of reasons, but thewedding photography, it's definitely a case of the
most important being is that you'll get a sense ofmore you put in, the more you'll get back.
how I work, and I get an idea of how you best