Why you should book an Engagement Shoot

What is an engagement shoot?

An engagement shoot, or a pre-wedding shoot, is a syper fun way to spend time with your partner during your wedding planning journey, having fun, capturing some awesome photos and celebrating being engaged. It’s also a chance to meet and get to know your photographer and have a little practice in front of the camera.

I LOVE engagement shoots. I love being able to be creative, have fun with my couples and get to know their crazy personalities. I love having adventures, visiting new locations and grabbing a cuppa, or a gin after and chatting all things wedding. It’s so much fun!

Here are my six reasons why I think YOU should book an engagement shoot- hell you don’t even have to be engaged. Have a look at this:

6 reasons why YOU should book an engagement shoot

1) To take some time out together

Now that you’re engaged, your entire life has probably become a cacophony of centre pieces and table plans. We all say we won’t let the wedding take over our lives, but we all let it sneak in. Go on, admit it- you’ve woken your partner up to ask about music, or confetti, or something else a bit bonkers haven’t you?

Before you know it, you realise that all of your time together has become wedding planning time. Well, an engagement shoot is a bloody great excuse to just get away from it all and chill out somewhere you love, just you two. Well OK, I might be there with a great big camera, but you’ll barely notice me I promise. You’ll get time to walk together, chill out, chat and cuddle. What could be better?

2) Because  you hate having your photo taken

That seems topsy turvy right? But the number one question I get asked is “What if I hate having my photo taken?“. Trust me, almost everyone feels the same. It is up there as one of the biggest worries couples have about their big day.

One thing that can help, is a pre-wedding shoot. It’s super important that  you feel as comfortable as possible on your wedding day, and these relaxed, fun, no-pressure couple shoots can be a really good way of getting to know what it’s like to work with your photographer, helping you feel more at ease in front of the camera.

They are totally optional, but a really good way of getting used to a lens being pointed at you. If you want to really make it a true dry run, you could even co-ordinate your engagement shoot with your hair and makeup trials; it will allow you the chance to see how they show up in photos.

FIONA & LUKE

“Rachel perfectly captured my partner and I as our loving and weird selves on our engagement shoot. We love the bright and colourful nature of her photography!”

3) To get to know your photographer

Having an engagement shoot will help you get a taste of my shooting style and learn how I work. It will be very similar to how I work with you both on the wedding day so you’ll know exactly what to expect. Knowing this will help put you at ease and get over your nerves!

In addition, use it as an opportunity to chat about your wedding plans and get tips about planning out the schedule. Trust me, I’ve seen it all and will be able to offer advice on how to organise the day, make it run smoothly and minimise rushing and delays.

One of my favourite things about booking a wedding is getting the opportunity to chat to a couple about all the unique little details about their wedding, all the things that make it special. I might even be able to suggest suppliers, or offer help, and the engagement shoot is a lovely informal setting for this kind of a chinwag! Plus you’ll be able to make sure I’m not a total weird (or realise that I am, and that’s why you booked me!).

4) Letting your photographer get to know YOU.

So we’ve already established that an engagement shoot is a great practice go for you, but it’s also a great trial run for your me. It lets me see how you two are together; to learn if you are shy and quiet, or big and bold. Whether you prefer a casual approach, or you want more posed shots with big public displays of affection. I can learn about your personalities, whether you are crazy, cool or serious. I can learn about you guys- how you met, what you love about each other, your wedding plans and see how affectionate you can get in front of the camera.

The opposite is also true- you can wax lyrical about what you don’t like too! If there’s something specific you want to try on the wedding day, we can even have a little practice! All this will only make your wedding photos better- every one will be more comfortable, and I can help inject some of the personality we discover into your photos- winner!

ANNA & DANNY

“On our engagement photoshoot Rachel was so lovely and put us at ease when we were feeling a bit nervous having never done anything like it before. There are so many photos that we love and will treasure. Thank you Rachel!!”

5) To get a bit creative!

Wedding days are a bit mad. They are hectic, and disappear within the blink of an eye. On our wedding day, we almost completely forgot to have couple shots because we were all having too much fun! At an engagement shoot, it is much more relaxed. We have the gift of time and a big opportunity to be creative and take some truly unique photos.

You can choose any location- pick a place that means something to both of you. It can be where you got engaged, a first date or just a very memorable date. It can be any place that puts you at ease, something familiar that naturally makes you feel good, such as the zoo, a beach, or even your regular coffee shop. We can even shoot at your house!

Where ever you decide, make it mean something to you. We can also have a bit on fun with the shots themselves- I just love energetic shots, getting couples to jump, cuddle, twirl- I’ve even been known to make the hubby-to-be give piggybacks down the beach! The whole experience should be fun, frivolous and just a little bit crazy- like you!

6) Your photos may actually be pretty useful!

Speaking of creativity, you could even get creative with your photos themselves! Use them for save-the-date cards, guest books for the wedding, thank you cards after your engagement party, or even just in a frame or a really awesome coffee table book for home.

I’m as guilty as anyone of not getting enough decent photos of myself- think of it as a gift for future generations too! Even if you never even look at them again, they are an excellent investment in your wedding- they will help you feel more confident and at ease with me, and feel more prepared for your wedding day.

So, if you would like to add an engagement shoot to your wedding package, or just book one completely separately, just let me know, I’d love to have a chat about your ideas- they really are great fun, so if you’re interested, please get in touch!

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Loving the look of engagement shoots and fancy getting a shoot booked in?

I’d bloody love to! Engagement shoots can be booked as a standalone, or added to your wedding package. Send me a message now to get in touch and we can chat more.

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