The case for pre-wedding shoots
Today I wanted to make a case for engagement, or pre-wedding, shoots, to which I am a total convert. In the interest of transparency, we didn’t have one. To be even more honest, when a girlfriend of mine (American) recommended that I have one … I sniggered. When my sister and her husband did theirs, it was pitched to them more as a trial for the real thing and was all a bit random and uncomfortable for them.So why bother? Well, I love my wedding pics. I love having shots of Chris and me where a talented photographer and an expensive lense have worked their magic on us … and now, after the fact, I would happily have more great, professional shots of us in a slightly more relaxed context. While I've been discovering how brides in other countries approach their weddings, I've seen some staggeringly beautiful, romantic, creative, thoughtful and uncheesy (well, maybe just a bit) shoots, capturing the radiant vibe of a couple engaged. Aussie and American couples (and wedding photographers) do this very well.
Meanwhile in the UK, as far as I can tell, the concept is not particularly well established, and with hindsight I think this is a shame. If we had our time again, I would seriously consider (1) persuading Chris, (2) finding a cool corner of London, (3) thinking about the style and colour scheme that we want and (4) putting on a little 'production' that will yield some sweet, whimsical, well put together creations to remind us of an idyllic engagement. I am thinking an anniversary shoot may be the way forward … !!
Anyway, happily I have come across a couple of UK wedding photographers who do pre-wedding or engagement shoots and do them very well indeed. Tomorrow I have a real treat in store – a beautifully styled vintage engagement shoot courtesy of the wonderful Julia Boggio. And today I have asked Rebecca Honeywell to provide some words of encouragement – and some examples of stunning, very natural engagement sessions she has done. Over to Rebecca to tell you and show you why you should consider one! 'Engagement shoots can at best intially scare my couples a bit, and at wost horrify them, and I'm sometimes asked why I offer them at all. However, once I've had a chance to explain, most couples are perfectly happy to go ahead and end up really enjoying themselves. Engagement shoots are great practice at being in front of a professional camera, which is something not many people have much experience of.
It's also helpful for the photographer as we then find out how best to photograph the couple (people who say they are not photogenic have not usually been photographed professionally before!), and once they have seen the results then they relax and trust us on their wedding day, knowing that they will look fantastic. It's also a chance to try something more creative without the time limits of a wedding – the couple can bring a few changes of outfit and props, and we can even offer a professional make up artist and hairdresser to enhance your natural look. The idea is not to end up with cheesy, unnaturally posed photographs with excessive make up, but to capture the couple at their best, in some of their favourite clothes, with natural location portraits.
I encourage couples to take a bit of time to think about the engagement shoot - to loosely co-ordinate their clothes, and to even consider bring a prop or two that represents them as a couple. This can be anything from a bike to their pet dog. Props are fantastic as they shift the focus and allow couples to relax.Being engaged is a very special, very short time in a couples lives, and the photographs are a lasting reminder of this exciting period.'
Photos by Rebecca Honeywell
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" To love would be an awfully big adventure. " J.M. Barrie: Peter Pan
" Women are made to be loved not understood. " Oscar Wilde: An Ideal Husband