Why portrait photographers recommend a bride and groom engagement or a pre-wedding photo session prior to their ceremony

What’s the difference between those two kinds of photo sessions

The major differences are the kind and number of outfits you can choose, the time, the makeup, and the energy involved. For classical engagement sessions, couples would choose casual and formal clothes. For the pre-wedding, the couple would prefer a long dress, like a glamorous evening gown and a white dress (usually a different wedding dress). It usually lasts longer (all afternoon or the night), including a makeup artist and a hairstylist. You can also go to more locations. In other words, it’s closer to a real editorial photo shoot.

The Advantages

Wearing some wedding clothes (long white dress and suit) will give you more experience for your wedding day. Indeed, it’s not exactly the same to wear and move in a casual outfit as it is with a larger and heavier dress! As a consequence, on your wedding day you really know what to expect. And you already figured out how to pose which offers a better result. The second advantage is having first-class pictures that you can use for your wedding day.

Why the pre-wedding photo session is important, and you should absolutely do it

Having your image taken is always strange, even more when it’s done by a total stranger. Having your engagement portraits taken by your wedding photographer in the Twin Cities (sessions designed to know each other) prior to your ceremony will help you on several points:

• Confirm that the photographer is a good fit for you and your families
• Confirm that the pictures’ style is what you expect.
• You would feel more relaxed and confident in front of the lens and reveal your emotions.
• You would discover poses and actions to perform

Knowing each other

Working with someone is the best way to discover each other. This first photo shoot will allow you to validate your decision in your wedding photographer choice. Indeed, you don’t want your special day to be ruined by a crazy guy. On the contrary, you want to make sure you hired the best professional and you can rely on him. After your first photo session, you will receive all the images, retouched in High Definition. Seeing the result is also a good way to feel reassured and to trust your vendors. So if he asks you to do something that might sound odd, you would trust him knowing he has a great idea in mind. As a result of knowing him better and trusting him, you will feel much more relaxed in front of the lens. And that’s precisely the most important requirement for creating vibrant images. The couple in love should be at ease and uninhibited to reveal their true feelings. It’s only then that the photographer can immortalize them. That’s why it’s so important for you to have a real connection with your photographer.

Poses and What to Do

The goal of this first session is also you learning what to do and what to avoid. Actually, we don’t use a high number of complicated poses. On the contrary, we try to stay simple and natural. Most of the time you will simply walk, kiss, hug and interact together. Step by step, the poses will become more natural, and you won’t even think of them anymore. The best professionals would use tips to create this complicity between the couple. You will also learn how to stand regarding the light and tons of tiny details you should apply, in order to have better expressions.

So, when and where does the photo session take place?

It usually takes place several months prior to your wedding. Some people enjoy the fall colors, some would prefer a winter day after a snowstorm. Most people like the blooming season or like the luxurious summer vegetation. The photo shoot usually takes place outdoors when the weather is good, or indoors in case of rain or snow. The best locations for your photo shoot would depend on your tastes and personality. Of course a nice landscape or a remarkable building would work better than a cheap suburb area. Check our list of the best places to find your perfect spot in the Twin Cities!

What to do with your pre-wedding photo pictures?

You will receive all the images retouched on the web gallery a couple of weeks after your session. You can share them with your families. The images are in high resolution and thus can be used for multiple purposes. Some use them for their wedding website, design their wedding guest book, or print posters for their big day.

How to dress?

The short answer is to wear casual and formal outfits. You must coordinate your clothes, but not necessarily match colors. Best clothes vary depending on the season. Check out the dedicated page for details!

Can you ask a family member to join us?

If you feel more comfortable with your siblings or parents coming while you have your pictures taken, then please, ask them to come. Just make sure they share the same point of view and ideas that you have and that they are not trying to take control of your photo session. Indeed, I have already seen some very involved siblings, with a too-long shot list including hundreds of ideas, directing the session. Help and good ideas are always welcome, but first of all, couples should have some real fun! A good recommendation: pick some comfortable shoes. Indeed, we will walk a lot and your feet must not hurt you.

Conclusion

Even if you don’t plan to print or use your images, this session is very important to improve your final result. You know your photographer, so you both feel more confident and that has some positive effect during the entire day. For instance, during the preparation with your bridesmaids and groomsmen you might be more inclined to make jokes and to reveal your authentic emotion. Also you will be stress free for the rest of the day, knowing no important moment will be missed, such as you walking down the aisle.

For more information about where to go, how to dress, check the tips page.