Whether you’re planning on printing out save-the-date cards or would like a large portrait print of the two of you for the guest ‘sign-in’ book, engagement sessions (also known as pre-wedding sessions) can sometimes be considered more of a luxury piece of a photography collection and even unnecessary to some couples. However, consider this– would you ever have your ceremony without a rehearsal? Would you select your main course for the reception without a tasting first? Would you walk down the aisle without that last final fitting of the most expensive dress you’ll probably ever own? Most likely not. Engagement sessions are part of the wedding day. Although, it happens months before, it’s a time to get a rhythm, chemistry and comfortable with your significant other, as well as your photographer.

During a session there’s no pressure, not all eyes are on you and there’s so much freedom to be yourself. I consider this to be a ‘letting-go’ kind of moment (Cue Elsa from Frozen). There’s flexibility in wardrobe, your overall appearance and variety of settings (given time constraints), which are all pre-determined on your wedding day. Most likely, there will be an inevitable awkward moment at the beginning of a session, but it’s best to have this happen before a big day like your wedding day. A wedding day brings on a set of varied emotions– anywhere from melancholic feelings, nervousness (believe me there will be a whole posse of butterflies fluttering around), and happiness like no other. Because you have established a connection with your photographer beforehand (i. e. your engagement session), there will be an elevated comfort with him or her capturing all these emotional details.

I remember being in my dressing room before the clock struck 3pm and feeling a little overwhelmed with our bridal mess we created, but I also felt like the luckiest woman alive. All the amazing women my life surrounded me in that room. My two grandmas were there, and my mother was getting her make-up done by my best friend and my closest cousin was putting some finishing touches to my curled hair. I remember all these candid moments so well because never had I ever felt more like a star than that day. Kellie, my photographer, captured these moments so flawlessly and candidly. I trusted her so much that I felt she was part of my crew. Our sessions beforehand helped me include her like a perfect puzzle piece in the eclectic parts of our wedding day.

As an engagement session unfolds, so will affectionate spontaneous moments, a laugh, smile and even an endearing gaze. It’s almost a preview of what you’ll experience after you two are married off and run into a sunset blissfully unaware that you’re being captured by your photographer. You let go, and you stay true to what’s happening around you. View it as a practice run, a tasting, or even a fitting, pre-wedding sessions allow you have the perfect reason to kiss your fiancé shamelessly and embrace them like you never have before and have it all recorded for ages to come.

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