The question ‘Is a pre-wedding photo shoot really necessary?” is one that comes up from time to time with my couples. All but one of my Photography Wedding Collections has a Pre-Wedding/Engagement Photo Shoot included in them. And there’s 5 very good reasons for this – read on…
1 // It gives you, the couple, a chance to get to know me, your photographer!
Ok, so we’ll have already met at a wedding fair or talked over the phone or via email. Then, we’re likely to meet again and talk in person, in more detail about your special day. But what is also really useful for you guys, is to see me in action, to understand how I work. Most of my couples haven’t actually had a photo shoot before, and it’s even less likely that they’ll have had one together. So a pre-wedding photo shoot can really help you to understand a little of what to expect on your wedding day.
2 // It gives me, your photographer, the chance to learn about you as a couple!
Yep, this is a really important one for me. I want to see how you both are in front of the camera. Often, one person is a little more camera shy than the other. And often, this can have a slight impact on how you might photograph together. Every emotion is translated on camera. If you’re nervous around me and my camera, that is likely to be translated in your photographs. So, the more we work together, the less nervous you should be around me, and more importantly, my camera! Learn more about my approach here.
3 // We can use it as a ‘wreckie’ for your actual wedding day.
No matter where your wedding is or how many times I might have shot there, I will always offer a ‘recce’….or a venue consultation at the wedding venue/s. It might be that you’ve two venues including your Church, so we would meet at both and discuss potential areas to shoot in. It might sound like ‘another job to do’ on your wedding list, but it is one I recommend doing together. Although I might have cute little spots at your venue choice that I love to use for couple shots, or group shots, but you guys might have spotted an area that I haven’t thought of, and vice versa! To discuss these choices together can really help you to envisage your day a little, and helps with the familiarity too, which can overall can help with lessnerves.
4 // A pre-wedding photo shoot is great for collecting some beautiful professional photographs of you both as a couple.
I’m sure you’ll have lots of fun photographs of you both from times together, holidays and most likely other people’s special occasions. But this will give you the opportunity to have professional photographs of you both, styled to suit you, at your wedding venue or at another, more regular place that you love. You can include your little ones if you have them, or pet pooches. And, if you fancy something a little different and more of a keepsake item, I offer some great wedding signing frames that are really popular with my couples.
5 // We’ll learn what you love and what you like!
During your pre-wedding photo shoot, we’ll learn lots about how much direction you do or don’t need. It’s likely that you’ll naturally ease into the shoot one we’ve chatted about the idea of the session. Then, you’ll be invited to my gorgeous photography studio in Legbourne near Louth, where you will be able to view your edited photographs. This is your opportunity to discuss with me how you felt about your shoot. I’ll want to learn what you’d love on your wedding day, what you’d like to achieve with your photographs, and overall how much input you will want from me.
The pre-wedding photo shoot below shows an example of reason number 3! This gorgeous couple opted for their session at their reception venue where we checked out several areas where we could enjoy some couple shots in the beautiful grounds of Belton Woods Hotel in Grantham.
If you’re looking for a wedding photographer and would like more information about my Wedding Collections, please feel free to get in touch.
Smile, Jeni x
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