First comes love, then comes… the engagement shoot?
So, they put a ring on it, huh??
Let me be the millionth person to scream CONGRATULATIONS!
Now the fun can begin! And it starts with one of my favorite things: the engagement session.
I always encourage couples to have an engagement session. I believe it’s a VITAL part of your wedding photography experience.
(That’s why my two bestselling wedding photography collections include complimentary engagement shoots. I’m that serious!)
WHY ARE ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS SO IMPORTANT?
We get to know each other.
You experience what it’s like to shoot with me before the big day, and get familiar with how I handle posing (AKA, answering the “what do I do with my hands?” question). It eliminates any chance of awkwardness on your wedding day because we’re basically forever friends by the end of the engagement shoot.
It makes the wedding day flow smoother.
On the big day, I’ll already know how you two interact, what your most natural “poses” are, and how to photograph you authentically. That means we can take more photos in your allotted time, and ensures that they’re all spectacular.
You’re more comfortable on the big day.
What we learn during your engagement session is invaluable! It’s a relaxed environment where you and your fiancé can let loose & practice taking photos without worrying about guests or timelines. By the time the big day rolls around, you’ll be a pro.
Not to mention, you get more pictures of one of the sweetest, most fleeting seasons of your life.
Ashley is not only unbelievably talented, but so amazing to work with! She is so kind, and takes the time to get to know you as a couple. She was willing to drive the distance for where we wanted to take our engagement photos and spent the time capturing every moment with us. The photos are unreal, I love every single one! I can not say enough positive things about Ashley, you will not regret working with her.
-Megan + Niall
2. Planning & Prep
When you book me as your wedding photographer, you’ll receive a Wedding Guide in the mail (yeah, REAL mail!). Inside, you’ll find over 90 pages of detailed information and inspiration about how to plan, prepare, and enjoy your photography experience, including your engagement session.
You’ll be able to take inspiration from previous shoots, outfit suggestions based on your style preferences, and flip through location options in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. (While mountaintops are my specialty, I LOVE when couples choose locations that have sentimental value to them. So don’t feel like you have to take a hike if you don’t want to!)
I’m also always available to help location scout, outfit plan, and answer any questions.
The Process
1. Booking Your Shoot
While your engagement session can typically be scheduled any time before your wedding day, I suggest booking it at least 3-6 months in advance to avoid stress and ensure your desired date is available.
If your wedding collection includes an engagement session, we’ll book it as soon as you put down the initial deposit. Don’t worry, I won’t let you forget!
Pro tip: Think about the season when scheduling your shoot! Depending on where you want your photos taken (especially if it’s the mountains) weather can be a huge factor to both aesthetic and accessibility.
3. Show Up & Chill Out
On the day of your shoot, we’ll meet at the agreed location and give big hugs because YAY, we’re finally meeting in person! The shoot will last for about 90 minutes with a little extra time allotted in there for a hike if you choose a mountain location.
During the shoot, we’ll spend time getting you comfortable in front of the camera. (Everyone says they’re awkward. I’ve heard it a thousand times. It never matters). We’ll practice some poses and directions so you’re familiar with them on the wedding day. Be prepared to belly laugh, let loose, and get snuggly!
Once the engagement session is over, you’ll only have 2 short weeks until your entire gallery is delivered! Then… the wedding countdown is on!
Engagements
