I am a big fan of engagement photos, they are usually included for FREE in my Wedding photography packages (Value $300). Engagement photos are so important for many reasons.
They help you become more comfortable in front of the camera: The more times you are photographed, the more at ease you will be. The best photos are when people are comfortable, happy and authentic. For all of those people who hate “posing” for photos or think they aren’t photogenic, a professional shoot can be completely different. I'm not looking for you to pose, I want to capture you in the moment and interacting with your partner. When you take a couple hundred photos with a pro you are likely to get at least a few good ones.
An engagement photoshoot builds a bond with the photographer: You will spend a good portion of your wedding day with your photographer, and this is a great opportunity to get to know how you work best together.
See how you photograph with makeup: While it isn’t necessary to wear the exact same makeup as you will on your wedding day, you can get a sense of how much the camera diffuses makeup. I recommend putting on more blush than you normally would, go for a slightly brighter lip and apply a thicker, darker eyeliner (on top lash line). Since the makeup is just for a photo shoot you don’t need to worry about what it looks like in real life. I guarantee you will be amazed how little makeup reads in photos. Erin is not one to normally wear make-up yet, we did put some light make-up on her to help her not look washed out in the photographs.
You get to have fun with your honey: Wedding day photos are done on a tight schedule, in confining clothing, and with a lot of people watching you. Engagement photos are just about the two of you enjoying each other and showing why you fell in love in the first place. Make it a fun part of preparation! Although, I do also recommend that if you or your family don't object you consider taking your bridal and couple portraits prior to your guest arriving on your big day. It lets you see each other before everyone else does. You will be at your freshest, most perfect for your photographs. Later between the wedding and reception you will have people watching you, feel stressed, rushed, less focused on each other - this is when your photographs look more unnatural and more posed. Another way to enjoy focusing on each other is to take day after or after the honeymoon taking the show off the dress photographs. These are all about the two of you and well it is all about you!
We will be taking photographs before hand and then later taking more show off the dress photographs for our wedding this July 11, 2009. Knowing that we will be taking photographs more then one time for this special occasion helps me to not be so stressed about the big day! With that I hope that this shows in all of my photographs!
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