The Engagement Session
Everything you need to know to about your engagement session experience.
If you are one of my #CramersCouples then some of this may sound familiar. Remember you private access page with all the tips, tricks, and recommendations for engagement and wedding day can be found in that private page.
If you are not one of my #CramersCouples than I hope these help you and maybe even have you saying, I need Steph for these moments ;)
WHY?
You might be asking yourself why is an engagement session even important? I am not sending out save the dates and I don’t need different photos of us right now. I just need wedding day coverage.
I get where you are coming from. I do. I didn’t have an engagement session, I didn’t send out save the dates, and I didn’t want to make a big “fuss” out of my engagement. However, looking back. I wish I did an engagement session. So much so that I include a complementary engagement session with each wedding booking.
So. Why. Why do I do that? Let me share just a few reasons I strongly encourage this.
It helps you and your fiancé become COMFORTABLE in front a camera. Get all the “awkward” feelings out of the way before wedding day!
It helps you and your fiancé become comfortable WITH ME AS YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER. We all pose and work differently. Getting to know how I work behind the camera is such an added benefit for you guys!
You know what to EXPECT for wedding day. Once you know my “key poses” and how I then “prompt” you will have you ready to go on wedding day. This process will become second nature.
It captures you and your fiancé in a relaxed setting.
Helps build your confidence before wedding day.
And…its complementary so why not do an engagement session?!
How?
That is all fine and dandy Steph, but how does it all work? What is this session even like? I doubt I can convince my fiancé.
Again, I get ya. Sitting down with your nervous fiancé and reading through this blog, the CramersCouples page, and even a few other engagement blogs will help you mentally prep and provide a visual for what an engagement session looks like.
The session usually takes 1 - 1.5 hours and can include an outfit change. We then find a location away from people to go over “4 main poses”. During this time - it is just practice so relax and don’t worry. With those main poses we then build in different prompts for you guys. So it isn’t really “stand here now smile”…I provide you different questions, activities, and the like for you guys to do. This helps you both loosen up and give me genuine smiles.
It is one of my favorite things seeing you and your fiancé interact together.
If your fiancé needs some convincing I recommend taking this as an opportunity to build an epic date night! After your session GO OUT - keep the party going! Besides your session is also a blank canvas for really anything, which we will talk about next!
Blank Canvas
I am 100% about getting you a session that matches your personality. As simple or grand as that is for you both. Think of this session as a blank canvas. You and I can plan out a great location and different activities. Just keep in mind if we build a pretty epic day there might be an addition fee for supplies, extra gas, or extra time.
What are some examples of a blank canvas? Really ANYTHING. Here are just a few ideas….
picnic by the lake
canoe rental
hike
board games
ice cream shops
coffee shops
golfing/putt putt
in home session - baking together, private dinner, snuggling up near a fireplace
bonfire and s’mores
fishing together
pizza party
Really…the list is ENDLESS. Anything that is special to you as a couple can be integrated into your engagement session to make it that much more unique and special.
I hope by now you are itching to get your engagement session booked and the planning started! Your moments matter - let’s capture them together!
Steph