In the trend of simplifying the wedding process, I have noticed more couples skipping their engagement session. I urge all couples out there who are trying to simplify their weddings, not to skip your engagement shoot! Countless blogs and articles, friends and family members will tell you that the one thing you should not skip on in any season of life is photography.

Engagement Sessions are the Real You

The engagement session is one of my favorite parts of our time together because it gives you both a chance to be in front of my camera before you get married, which is going to make your wedding day experience feel so smooth, seamless and comfortable. Not only that, but we get to create something so special together. You’re going to be married for over fifty years, but you only get to be engaged for this short period of time. I’m so excited to capture the only time in your life when you get to be each other’s fiances!

Wedding Photography is Great, but so are your Engagement Photos

Here are some of my practical reasons for getting engagement photos done:

1. You’ll feel relaxed and like pros on your Wedding day!

No matter how much you love the camera, we all need a little warming up before being the center of attention. That’s why the engagement session is the BEST way to release any nerves that you may have and get comfortable so that the posing feels natural. After all, practice makes perfect! If you don’t want to spend the first half of your wedding portraits learning how to relax in front of the camera, then an engagement session is for you!

2. Your photographer will know how to photograph you!

At your engagement session, we will learn how you two interact, what you like, what you don’t like and how to photograph y’all in a genuine way! Your wedding day will flow so much smoother if you have that figured out before hand.

There’s so much more that goes into taking beautiful wedding photos than just knowing how to use a fancy camera! We want you to look at your photos and really feel like they are 100% you! Choose a photographer you love and you’ll feel so much more comfortable with them. You are giving them a front-row seat by allowing them to peak into your relationship to photograph this sweet time!

3. You’ll have lots of beautiful photos to use for your Wedding!

We’re talking engagement announcements, save the date cards, displays at your venue, guestbooks and so much more! One less thing to stress about!

4. This is once in the lifetime session!

The engagement phase, though wonderful, can usually feel like it disappeared in the blink of an eye, savor it! I am the number one offender of being more excited for everyone else’s big moments than my own. I know there are a lot of us out there that will brush big moments under the rug. Don’t be afraid to act as happy as you feel during this stage of life. Make a big deal out of it, because it is a big deal! The time you spend as an engaged couple is fleeting and most of it is spent wedding planning and answering the question, “How’s wedding planning going.” This is a great way to capture these exciting times, dreaming about your future together.

5. Make it a date night!

Engagement photoshoots can be quite romantic, so I can’t think of a better way to start off date night. Get all dolled-up, your engagement shoot will be during golden hour, then the sun will go down and you get to go have a romantic dinner!

Creative Credit for El Matador Beach Engagement Session
Creative design/planner: @traveling_weddings_with_taylor
Stylist: @blancaperez_photographer
Photographer: @sigagubista
Paper goods: @lorobe
Hair accessories: @thelucky6pence
Florist: @sabineblooms
Blue clip: @vintageadornments
HMU: @nataliaissa