Here’s my hot take – Of course, no one “needs” engagement photos, but if you or your partner have any anxiety or apprehension whatsoever about being in front of the camera all day on your wedding day, you should definitely do them!

If you haven’t been photographed together before, do it! If you think you might want to use photos of yourselves in your wedding decor – do it! No one ever regrets having more photos together – seeing photos of yourselves being happy together is a gift!

I love to take photos, obviously. But I don’t “like” being photographed – I feel self conscious and awkward when someone pulls out a camera and points it at me. I hear the same thing from many of my photography clients, if you’re reading this, maybe you’re feeling the same.

But as I spend more time in front of the camera, the awkward feeling fades. Your engagement photo session gives you that extra time to warm up, to get into the groove. We’ll develop a rapport and we’ll work together even better on the big day.

My best advice – Just be yourselves, relax into each other, and stop worrying so much about how you look (you look great!)

Instead, think about why you love the person you’re with. Laugh and snuggle with them, tell them they’re beautiful. These photos are about your connection. Even if I pose you perfectly, and your hair is flawless, if you’re not feeling each other, the photos won’t have that wow.

Another great reason to book an engagement photo session is to get photos with your doggo – especially if they won’t be at the wedding. At least half of my couples include their pets in their engagement session.

Here are a few other things to consider when you’re planning an Edmonton engagement photo session.

Do you want to use the same photographer for your engagement photos that you plan to use for your wedding? It’s an excellent trial run for the big day, and you get to vibe with your chosen photographer and see how they work. However, if you were waffling between booking with different photographers for your wedding, there’s nothing wrong with choosing one photographer for your engagement photo session and a different photographer for the wedding photos.

Is location important to you? If you want to have photos at a special spot – let’s say where you first met – ask your photographer. It may be easier to visit this spot during your engagement session instead of on your wedding day – you may not have time on the big day to drive across town, or the lighting at your fave spot might not be great at certain times of day. Engagement photos give you more scheduling flexibility.

Choose clothing that is comfortable, flattering, and appropriate for the location of your engagement photos. Especially when it comes to footwear – Please PLLLEEEAAASE don’t wear stilletto heels if you’re getting photos in a park, they’ll just sink into the grass. You’ll feel irritated and you will be angry if you stain or ruin your shoes. If you’re not sure what to wear, opt for solid colors or simple patterns, or bring a change of clothes and change it up halfway through your shoot.

You might not get to choose the perfect time for outdoor photos on the wedding day, but engagement photos usually offer you the convenience of choosing a time when the light is best. In general, early morning or late afternoon is a good time. “Golden hour” is awesome – in Edmonton, that’s pretty late – sometimes as late as 9/10pm in June, 3:30/4pm in the winter months. If you can’t make these times work, don’t stress. A good photographer can get great photos of you any time.

You can use your Edmonton engagement photos for save-the-date cards, your wedding website, invitations, decor, and/or splash ’em all over your social media! Frame one for your parents or grandparents, frame your favorite shot in your own home – get used to seeing how beautiful your love is!