5 Reasons To Consider A Pre-Wedding Shoot
Edinburgh, Scottish Highlands, Scotland, Wedding
There are so many decisions to make and wedding suppliers to choose from, it's no wonder that some couples feel overwhelmed but I always try to make things from my side that little bit easier because lets face it, once you’ve booked your photographer you really don’t have to worry about us at all because you know what you are going to get.
One thing you may not have thought of is an pre-wedding session and I can’t urge you enough that as daunting as this sounds it is so much fun and relaxing. You will walk away from it and think what were you even worried about!?
Why?
A pre-wedding shoot can help you get comfortable in front of the camera, which will come in handy on your wedding day! It also provides a great way for your Photographer to get used to working with both of you before the big day arrives. Not only does this mean more time spent getting photos captured but it also means you’ll be more familiar with how both parties interact with each other which makes capturing those special moments even easier! You don't want someone that’s a complete stranger directing you on your wedding and causing unnecessary anxieties. If you are still not convinced about booking a pre wedding shoot, here are a few more reasons why you may want to consider it.
1. You can get to know your photographer
Before your big day you will have a super informal meeting/coffee chat with your Photographer but depending on how they work you may only get the chance to meet them in person once or twice. Personally I welcome as many catch ups as possible because then it will feel even more natural having me at your wedding. Having an engagement shoot is a great opportunity for you & your partner to really get a feel for how your photographer works, how they take photographs, what to expect and it will give you chance to build up a relationship with them, which on your big day will ensure you feel at ease with any directions they give you and generally having them around. It’s really important to build those meaningful and trustworthy relationships before your wedding day - it means I know what kind of couple you are, exactly what you are after and you know that you can trust me to get the type of photos you want.
2. You can use the images in the future for your Save The Dates
Using beautiful images from a pre-wedding shoot for your Save The Dates is a real personal touch that friends and family will love to receive. This type of shoot is great for capturing those candid, personal moments of you and your partner. You could have them done at your favourite beauty spot, a local park or even at home. An engagement shoot is an opportunity to celebrate your love for each other and your happy news so make sure you choose a place that represents you both as a couple. If you are planning to make Save the Date cards yourself you can easily create something professional using an online printing service or, if you and your partner aren’t so creative, talk to your photographer as they should be able to help you create them. I highly recommend using Canva because it just has everything you need.
3. You can get used to being in front of the camera.
It’s not every day that you have a photographer following your every move taking pictures of you! Couples who have carried out an engagement shoot tend to feel more relaxed in front of the camera on their wedding day and this means that instead of worrying about being photographed they can get on with enjoying the day, which is surely, what all couples want to do! It’s a perfect solution for shy, unconfident or anxious couples. Having an engagement shoot also means you can practice poses you are happy with. It will also help you feel more comfortable getting up close and personal with your partner in front of the lens. This often will not feel natural having someone in your personal space photographing more intimate moments, but an engagement shoot can really help with this. Plus we keep it fun and ensure its always full of laughter!
4. You can take some time out and have fun with your partner.
I really do believe that in life generally (but also during the wedding planning process) that taking time out to appreciate the person you love is so important. Life can be so busy and what better way to spend an hour or two than taking some time out from everyday life to just be together. It’s unlikely that you’ve done something like this together as a couple, documenting your everyday life is just as important as the other milestones in your relationship. Couples these days rarely have more than the odd selfie together, which seems such a shame, this is another reason why an engagement shoot is such a lovely thing to do. Plus you’ll get some nice photographs to display in your home too!
5. You can try out your wedding hair & makeup
From a practical perspective arriving at your engagement shoot after having had a hair & make-up trial means that you’ll be able to see how it looks on camera, which may be helpful in making some decisions with your make-up artist and hair stylist for the big day. Not only that it will also mean that if timed perfectly, you can save money and time by planning your hair and makeup trial for the same day as your engagement shoot, it will also mean you haven’t got to stress or panic about how to have your hair and will make your engagement shoot prep feel that bit extra special.
Ultimately I would always urge and recommend you to really just go for it and enjoy the process because at the end of the day this will only happen once. Your photographer would never make you do anything that will make you both feel remotley uncomfortable and is there to do what is best for you!
If something catches your eye and you are interested in having me along to photograph your proposal or wedding then please get in touch here :)
