Blossom Filled London Engagement Shoot in Spring

London Engagement Shoot

As a wedding photographer I’ve had the pleasure and honour of being witness at numerous special days and, more and more I’ve noticed that the weddings where the photography has turned out the best (in my eyes!) are the ones where the couple have had an engagement shoot with me beforehand…So much so, that I’m considering making it a pre-requisite for my doing their photography on the wedding day itself! This may sound like a bold statement but here are 5 reasons behind why I think you should be booking an engagement shoot with your Photographer!

1. Couples who have invested in engagement photography are more relaxed in front of the camera on their wedding day and this means that instead of worrying about being photographed they get on with enjoying their wedding day, which is surely what all couples want!
2. Couples trust me more because I’ve already given them a preview of my services which means they can just relax in the knowledge that I have the photos covered. Once my couples have done an engagement shoot with me they know how I work and they know what to expect – it’s one less thing for them to worry about. They know that I know how to make them look good, natural and like themselves.
3. Investing in a London engagement shoot means that we have spent a further hour or so in each others company meaning that I know the couple better as individuals and as a couple. This is so important to me as a photographer because it means that there is an established connection and in my mind, that is so integral to successful wedding photography.It means that I know how they connect as a couple, whether they connect on a ‘touchy feely’  level or more on a jokey level.  I’m extremely intuitive when it comes to people and can sense whether a couple feel comfortable or not. After their engagement photography my couples know that I’m not going to make them feel awkward on their big day, which really is the one day in their lives where all they want to feel is comfort, familiarity and confidence.

4. I really do believe that in life generally (but also during the wedding planning process) that taking time out to appreciate the one you love is so important… Life can be so short and fleeting and what better way to spend an hour than taking some time out from to-do lists and just be together. Booking some engagement photography is the perfect way to do this!Looking into each others eyes, kissing and embracing, living in the moment and celebrating that you have found each other… So many of my couples come away from their engagement shoot saying they feel even more loved up and appreciating each other. Life these days moves so fast so being asked by an external party to stop, close your eyes and hold on to each other is an excellent excuse to be present in the moment together.

5. Engagement Photography is a great idea because couples these days so often don’t have beautiful photos of the two of them together (apart from their wedding photos) and I think that is such a shame.  Engagement Photography may seem like an indulgent expense but its so much more than just a few pretty photos, its documentation of your lives, your journey together. These engagement photos as well as your wedding photographs become family heirlooms which future generations will treasure. As a Dane the concept of ‘hygge’ has been deeply ingrained within my upbringing. It refers to a feeling of cosiness, of contentment, of celebrating the ordinary and there is nothing more ‘hyggelig’ than the thought of my couples showing their future children these photos and their kids seeing their parents or grandparents ‘when they were young and cool’ and in love…

   Head over to Coco Wedding Venues to read more about my thoughts on Engagement Shoots