If you’ve been following the blog or Facebook page you will have noticed that the last few weeks has seen a flurry of engagement sessions being posted. This time of year, just before the wedding season kicks off, is the time when I’m busy shooting my upcoming wedding clients. Some people ask why bother or wonder if it’s necessary, to me it is almost essential and I always recommend my clients book engagement sessions. The big question then is why?
The way I structure my pricing and services the engagement sessions are very affordable and when booking a set number of hours are in fact included at no cost. This rules out me shooting them for the money, that’s simply not the case, certainly not with the time invested in each one. Quite simply I look at it as a way to get to know my clients and most importantly to acquaint them with being in front of the camera, my style and the way I work. I can’t convey just how much of a difference it makes, when the wedding day comes around and they are stressed enough without an almost stranger showing up and getting in their faces with a huge camera. Instead a friend walks in, someone they are used to working with and have confidence in.
I have previously written an article that touched on this some time ago. My first and sometimes second contact with my clients is typically discussing their day, my services and what they are hiring me for. During this time, as much as I try, I can never make an accurate assessment of them which is not surprising given that it’s still so early in the process and no doubt they are overwhelmed with wedding planning. By the time the engagement session rolls around though the plans are usually made and everyone can relax and enjoy it.
Besides the obvious great pictures that are provided and the whole acclimation process there are other reasons to do an engagement session. It can serve as a great way to get images in a different setting than the wedding, a real opportunity to get creative on locations. I love shooting in new places so it is always exciting to have the opportunity and it goes without saying that everything is way more laid back than a wedding. It’s not uncommon for me to join clients for drinks after, sometimes even before. Do you like wine? Bring some with you, anything goes… One last point on the engagement sessions, they’re fun!
Once the shooting is over and you have these great images you can use them for all sorts of things, show them off to your friends or get some prints, a canvas maybe. If you need a guest book for the wedding why not have one filled with your images and space for the guests to leave you messages. Have a large print done up with a custom 6” matt for your guests to sign. All of these are cool ideas that can add a special little extra to your wedding day.
I pulled some feedback out of a couple of emails from recent engagement sessions, they pretty much sum up what I’m trying to say:
“ YAYAYA I heart them
and i just read your post – we’re the lucky ones (we heart you too)!!! reach out when you’re ready to sit back and have some cold ones with us. thanks again Gavin – we are so happy you’re going to be part of our special day “
“ So of course I see your name in my Inbox this morning and by pass all other emails.We viewed them at the same time and just LOVED them. You did such a great job and made us look good! Many Many thanks….looking forward to the wedding shots now! We are super thrilled and these are only the engagement ones!!!! “
You can checkout some of the recent engagement sessions here
So there you have it, why I think engagement sessions are worth doing!
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