Dear Engagement Session,

I have a huge crush on you. You make my heart skip a beat every time I’m around you and you make me laugh like a giddy school girl. I can’t wait for the next time we hang out together.

xoxo stacy

Oh, you think I’m joking? No, I REALLY love engagement sessions that much! That is why I have decided to include them in every wedding collection that I offer. Occasionally I will have potential clients say something like “We probably don’t need the engagement session…” in which I reply “umm YES! You do!” Okay, well I don’t say it exactly like that :). Rather I go on to explain the importance of an engagement session and the reasons why we do them.  I thought I would take a few moments to share those reasons with you in hopes that you will find that you have a major crush on them too ;).

Let’s be honest, not many of us feel like naturals in front of the camera. Most couples have never done a professional photo shoot before (no, JCPenny does NOT count!) so they don’t know what to expect. The unknown of it all can be nerve-racking. In fact, I think that this is one of the main reasons why couples may not want to have an engagement session. Believe me, I know that being in front of the camera can be a ‘scary place’, but it’s my job as the photographer to take away any of that worry, fear or anxiety . The first step to making that happen is establishing trust and I have found that the best way to do that is by actually getting in front of my camera. Once my clients see how I work, the nerves begin to melt away. Because in that hour that we’re shooting, they see that all they need to do is be themselves. And this realization is comforting; knowing that they don’t need to bring anything to the table but their true, genuine love. It’s so beautiful to see the nerves leave and their true selves come out. And even if a couple has had a chance to be in front of the camera together before, chances are they have never been in front of my camera. Every photographer is different and I want my clients to understand how I work, what my style is and how I approach a photo shoot. I can explain it till I’m blue in the face, but its not until they experience it that they really get it. The response post-e-sesh is usually something like “Omg…now I’m even MORE excited for our wedding!” and to me that’s one of the best compliments I can get. Because I honestly want my clients to look back and say that they loved their photography experience as much as they love their photos. :)

Tips for a fabulous e-sesh:

1. Consider professional hair + makeup

An engagement session is a PERFECT time to schedule your wedding makeup application trial. That way you can see how it looks in photographs prior to the wedding day. Plus, you’ll be feeling HOT so why not get in front of the camera! I work with an AH-MAZING makeup artist here in Arizona: Ashley Nicole. She is seriously like the best makeup artist ever so hit her up!

2. Rock your style

Outfits that show your style + personality are key. Rock what you feel GOOD in! I usually recommend colors, patterns, layers and accessories because I love the way they photograph. But that’s also the type of things that I’m drawn to. Overall, you should wear something that you feel confident in because confidence photographs really well ;)

3. Be on time :)

I don’t say this because I am the poster child for punctualness, I say it because I am a natural light photographer. I usually schedule engagement sessions about an hour to an hour and a half before the sun sets so that we are finishing up just as the sun goes down. I just love the way images look with this natural light and it has become my style. So when the sun is set, we stop shooting. That means if you’re running 15 minutes late, we won’t have the freedom to shoot 15 minutes past the sunset. Instead it would just cut into your shooting time and that would make me sad :(.

4. Choose wisely

I truly believe that the best images will happen when a couple and a photographer really get along. At every consult, I emphasize that I’m not a “one size fits all” photographer and that it’s important that my clients truly want to work with me. I also tell them that if they find another photographer that they click with better (no pun intended), that they should go with them. Because again, it all comes down to trust. Who is going to make you feel the most comfortable? Who do you feel like you could show your genuine love to? It’s a big decision so choose wisely!

Okay, so now that I’ve shared all of the reasons why e-seshs are so great, I have to ask: do you have a crush yet???