Do We Really Need to Do an Engagement Session? Yes! - My Opinion as a Lower Mainland & Vancouver Wedding Photographer
If you're planning a wedding, you've probably wondered whether an engagement session is really necessary. After all, you take selfies together, your friends take photos of you, and you're perfectly capable of smiling at a phone camera. So, how different can it be?
Well… let's just say that a professional camera has a funny way of making even the most confident people suddenly forget what standing should look like.
My answer? Yes! Every couple getting married should have an engagement session before their wedding day. And it's about much more than getting some beautiful photos for your save-the-dates.
Do We Really Need an Engagement Session? (And is it Worth It?) ... (And Is It Included?)
I genuinely believe an engagement session is one of the best ways to prepare for your wedding photographs. It's an opportunity to build trust with your photographer, become comfortable in front of the camera, discover your preferred style, and work out what makes you both look and feel your best.
Because I know what a difference an engagement session makes to your wedding day, every wedding photography package of 4 hours or more with me includes a complimentary engagement session.
It's my way of helping you feel confident and prepared before your wedding day arrives, and making sure you end up with wedding photographs you will acually love.
But whether you're in the Greater Vancouver area or the anywhere in the Lower Mainland and choose me as your photographer, or anywhere else with a different photographer my answer is the same. Yes, an engagement session is absolutely worth it.
Rather than meeting your photographer for the first time on the wedding day and hoping you'll feel comfortable in front of the camera, we'll already have worked together, explored different poses, and discovered the styles and settings you love.
For camera-shy couples especially, that familiarity can make a world of difference.
You don't need to be naturally photogenic, know how to pose, or feel completely comfortable in front of the camera before your session. That's what we're there to work on together!
Think of it as a little practice run before the main event — with beautiful photographs to keep at the end of it. And yes, we'll work on finding that inner supermodel. No modelling experience required.
Let's explore some of the reasons to make and engagement session part of your wedding photography experience.
1. Get Comfortable in Front of a Professional Camera
Being comfortable taking selfies doesn't necessarily mean you'll feel comfortable having a professional photographer point a camera at you. There's a difference between snapping a quick photo on your phone and having someone direct you, adjust your positioning, and ask you to look at each other while somehow making it all look effortless.
And that's completely normal!
During your engagement session, you'll learn what to do with your hands, how to stand or sit together, where to look, and how little adjustments can make a surprisingly big difference in a photograph. You'll learn to relax and have fun, which makes all the difference.
You'll also discover that you don't have to know how to pose before we begin. That's my job!
By the end of the session, you'll have a much better idea of what to expect, and I'll have a better understanding of how to guide you in a way that feels comfortable and authentic to you.
Think of it as a rehearsal for your wedding photographs, minus the wedding-day timeline, the family photo list, and Uncle Bob wondering when dinner is being served.
2. Find Your Inner Supermodel Before the Wedding Day
Let's face it: your wedding day is not the ideal time to experiment with your posing for the first time.
Your timeline is set, your ceremony and reception are waiting, and there aren't always opportunities to stop, rethink a photograph, and start again. We want to make the most of the time we have together.
An engagement session gives us the freedom to experiment.
We can try different poses, explore more artistic compositions, play with movement, and discover whether you prefer something romantic and intimate, relaxed and playful, or a little more editorial.
Some couples love a classic, polished portrait. Others feel most like themselves when they're walking together, laughing, or doing something a little unexpected. And some discover that they absolutely love a dramatic, artistic photograph they never would have thought to try.
There's no single right way to photograph a couple. The trick is finding the style that suits you.
We'll discover what works, what doesn't, and how to bring out your best together. By your wedding day, we'll already have a solid foundation to build on.
Your inner supermodel will thank you.
3. Discover Which Photography Style Suits You Best
You might have saved dozens of wedding photographs on Pinterest, but have you ever considered whether the style you love in someone else's photographs will work equally well for you?
An engagement session is the perfect opportunity to find out.
Perhaps you love formal, editorial-style portraits with beautiful composition and carefully considered posing. Maybe you'd rather have relaxed, candid images that capture your connection. Or perhaps a combination of both is exactly what you're looking for.
We can explore different approaches and review your photographs afterward to see which ones you love most.
This helps me understand your preferences, too. I can learn whether you prefer more direction, a little space to interact naturally, dramatic portraits, playful moments, or a combination of styles.
The result? A much clearer picture of what you want from your wedding photography. And that means fewer surprises and more photographs you'll be excited to see in your final gallery.
4. Find the Right Location for Your Wedding Photographs
The setting plays a much bigger role in your photographs than you might think.
A manicured garden creates a different atmosphere from a quiet forest. An urban streetscape can add an editorial feel, while an industrial setting might be perfect for couples who love something a little unconventional.
During your engagement session, we can explore the environments that complement your personalities, clothing, and preferred photographic style.
You might discover that you love the look of a beautiful park, or that an unexpected urban location produces the photographs you love most.
We'll also learn how you interact with your surroundings and what kinds of compositions work best for you.
For couples getting married in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, there are so many possibilities, from lush green spaces and forest settings to city architecture and waterfront views.
Once we know what works for you, we can use that knowledge to plan your wedding-day portraits more thoughtfully. If time allows, we may even be able to revisit a favourite location or incorporate a similar look into your wedding-day photography.
Rather than starting from scratch on your wedding day, we'll already have a pretty good idea of what makes you both look fantastic.
5. Learn What You Love (and What You Don't!)
One of the most valuable parts of an engagement session happens after the photographs are taken. When you see your finished images, you'll start noticing what you naturally gravitate toward.
Do you love the close-up photographs or the wider compositions that show off the scenery? Do you prefer looking at each other or directly into the camera? Are you drawn to romantic, intimate moments or bold, artistic portraits?
You might even discover that a pose you thought would feel awkward looks absolutely incredible in a photograph. Equally important, you may discover things you don't particularly like. That's useful information!
Photography is a collaboration, and understanding your preferences helps me tailor the experience to you. It also means we can make better use of our time together on your wedding day.
The goal isn't to turn you into someone you're not. It's to discover the most flattering, expressive, and authentic ways to photograph the two of you.
So that's the long answer to "Do we really need to do an engagement session?". In my opinion, it's a resounding yes!
What Should We Wear to Our Engagement Session?
Great question! What you wear can make a real difference to the overall look of your photographs. The good news is that you don't need to go shopping for an entirely new wardrobe or dress like you're attending a royal wedding.
A good rule of thumb: dress as though you're going on a nice date night or enjoying an evening out together.
You want to look polished and feel confident, while still looking like yourselves.
Here are a few tips to help you choose outfits that photograph beautifully.
Choose Colours That Complement Each Other
You don't need to match from head to toe. In fact, coordinated colours often look much better than identical outfits.
Think complementary tones, subtle neutrals, earthy shades, soft blues, burgundy, cream, or other colours that work well together. The best choices will depend on your location, the season, and your personal style.
One important tip: keep greens away from your face. Green clothing can reflect onto your skin and create an unflattering, sometimes sickly-looking colour cast. That can be very difficult to correct cleanly in editing, so it's best to avoid the problem before it starts.
This doesn't mean you can't wear green at all. Just be mindful of how close it sits to your face.
Avoid Large Prints and Distracting Patterns
Large, busy prints can compete with your faces and become the main attraction in a photograph. Unless a bold pattern is an intentional part of the look we're creating, simpler clothing is usually a safer choice.
The same goes for oversized logos, prominent lettering, and distracting graphics.
You want the focus to be on the two of you, not on a shirt that looks like it has its own advertising budget.
Think About Fit and Comfort
Choose clothing that fits well and allows you to move comfortably. We'll likely have you walking, sitting, standing close together, and trying different poses. If you're constantly pulling at your clothes, worrying about a hemline, or wondering whether you can breathe, it's going to be harder to relax.
And please, wear shoes appropriate for the location. Those gorgeous heels might look fabulous, but they're less appealing when you're navigating a forest trail or trying not to sink into the grass.
Consider the Location and Season
Your outfits should complement the setting rather than compete with it.
For a city or urban session, a more polished, editorial look might be perfect. For a forest or park, softer colours and relaxed, textured fabrics can work beautifully.
If we're photographing outdoors in Vancouver, remember that the weather can be unpredictable. Bring an extra layer if needed, and don't underestimate the value of being warm and comfortable.
Shivering might be romantic in the movies, but it's not everyone's favourite posing technique.
Should We Bring a Second Outfit?
If you'd like some variety, absolutely! A second outfit can give your gallery a different feel without changing locations.
For example, you could start with a slightly dressier look and then switch to something more casual. This gives us more creative options and helps you see how different styles photograph.
Just let me know beforehand so we can plan the session accordingly.
And one final wardrobe tip: choose something that makes you feel good about yourself. Confidence photographs beautifully, and there's no point wearing something simply because you think you should.
Let's Get You Wedding-Day Ready!
I've been photographing weddings since 2011, and one of my favourite parts of working with couples is discovering what makes them unique and finding creative ways to bring that out in their photographs.
My approach combines artistic portraiture, thoughtful guidance, and genuine moments, so you don't have to choose between beautiful, intentional images and photographs that feel like you.
Whether you're planning an intimate elopement, a backyard celebration, or a full wedding in Vancouver or elsewhere in the Lower Mainland, an engagement session is a wonderful opportunity to get comfortable, explore ideas, and start creating photographs you'll love.
And yes, we'll work on finding that inner supermodel. No modelling experience required!
Planning your wedding? Get in touch to learn more about my wedding photography packages and engagement sessions. Let's make sure you're ready to step in front of the camera with confidence when your big day arrives!
