Engagement Session at Sunset

Today, I’m bringing up something that might fall into the unpopular opinion topic of conversation and that is that engagement sessions are not cheesy.

I don’t know how it happened, but somewhere along the way, people started to give engagement sessions a bad rap. So much so that so many people will opt out of this part of the wedding experience. And here’s the thing—they don’t suck, and they aren’t cheesy, unless you make them exactly that.

Truly and seriously.

But, that’s the bad rap they have and because of that, so many people miss out on the benefits of opting into an engagement session.

So, I’m here today to convince you otherwise.

Doing an engagement session gets you in front of the camera to teach you how to truly be candid in front of another person (who is the person you are ultimately inviting into every single moment of your wedding, which includes those really private moments).

Doing an engagement session allows for you to have fun with each other, just like a date. Maybe the planning is getting a little too much and all your meals and talks are all about the wedding. This couple’s photo session gets you to stop talking about “that” day so you can really focus on each other. For me, at least, during this session (which I often refer to as a hangout), I ask you a bunch of questions about yourselves that lead to endless little jogs down memory lane about your relationship. I also get you to stop talking and to connect. And, I make sure there is play and fun.

When is the last time you spent almost two hours totally connected, laughing and loving without being interrupted by phones, social media, household chores or random other little things? I once had a couple who were so inspired by our time together they booked off the entire weekend following our shoot to get away and keep being totally together. They told me they felt like it was this beautiful reminder of why they were getting married and those photos reminded them about the importance of being together.

Doing an engagement session allows you to have rad professional photos of the two of you together in real-life settings, wearing your everyday clothes. Yes, wedding photos are wonderful, but should the only photos of you be in wedding attire?! If you ask me, having photos of you as you are—in everyday life in places that are a) gorgeous or b) meaningful to you—well, these photos are pretty amazing to have.

Doing an engagement session allows you to get really comfy in front of your photographer and creates a bond with them. You develop a relationship with them and that allows you to trust each other in a whole other way. And that gives you someone in your corner on your wedding day if you feel stressed or just need a familiar face that is there for you (not someone invited to the party, but someone to actually, really be there for you). That’s what your photographer can give you when you choose to first do an engagement session and grow that connection with them. Of course, we’re going to capture your moments, but we’re also going to be your personal rock, to lean on whenever you need it.

Here is how to avoid being cheesy during an engagement shoot: For me, it’s props and anything that begins with the word “fake”. If it’s not real—if you wouldn’t do it in real life—then leave it to the Pinterest pages labelled “Awkward Photos”.

What have we learned today?

Engagement shoots are rad.
Engagement shoots get you super comfy in front of the camera.
Engagement shoots are not cheesy!

You don’t have to do anything in an engagement session other than being yourself. When thinking about what session to blog for this sometimes heated topic, I immediately thought of these two beauties—Sam & Matt.

Be like Sam & Matt.

They came as they were. They played. They laughed. They were connected and they trusted me with their whole hearts.

I’d like to think that I captured their essence—their relationship in its full beauty—and it was a really wonderful little hangout. We played in a beautiful little area of Toronto where I know how the light hits just right as the sun sets. They brought a few outfit changes and their pup. We also happened to all be wearing the same oat/cream shacket, which was a hilarious little way to meet in a parking lot and say our hellos.

It was such a delicious slice of sweetness and that’s what it should be about.

So, if you ever hear anyone giving engagement photos a bad rap, help us photographers out and teach them otherwise. Chances are, despite what anyone says about photos, they have either framed prints in their home, have photos in their camera roll and/or a photo on the lock screen of their phone. Photos are a way of remembering when our brains get a little (or a lot) foggy, and don’t we all want to remember the good things that make our hearts happy?!

And, the best thing about engagement sessions is that they actually aren’t just engagement sessions. That’s often why I call them “love sessions”.

You don’t have to do them when you are engaged. You can do one at any point in your relationship. Married, engaged, just moved in, celebrating your new pregnancy, or deciding that you are happy living life just the two of you now (or five years or fifteen years into your relationship). These sessions are about love, so if you are in love and want some photos to capture this moment with this person, then it’s the perfect time to do that.

Want to see some more love? Check out some spring love with Maddy and John or another sunset love session with Becca and Zach. And if you want to get in on some of this UNCHEESY love too, let’s chat!