Why choose to book in a pre-wedding photoshoot?
A pre-wedding photoshoot has become an increasingly popular trend among engaged couples. Why? I’m glad you asked! These photoshoots offer a multitude of benefits that extend far beyond the beautiful images captured. Hiring a photographer for a pre-wedding photoshoot is a decision that can in fact greatly enhance the overall wedding experience. It can also provide lasting memories of moments just for the two of you. In this article, I’ll give you 8 reasons why you should take a moment to really consider booking a pre-wedding photoshoot.
Reason 1: Quality Time Together
As exciting as planning your wedding is, it can also come with some levels of stress. Between the wedding preparations and your day to day life, you may find it challenging to spend quality time together. A pre-wedding photoshoot creates an intentional space for you to focus on each other. It takes you away from the distractions of wedding planning and the pressures you might feel at times. It allows you to reconnect, to share intimate moments, and relish the anticipation of your upcoming union.
Reason 2: Builds a Stronger Connection with the Photographer
A pre-wedding photoshoot offers you the opportunity to establish a rapport and most importantly build trust with your chosen photographer before the big day. This connection is crucial for creating a comfortable and relaxed experience during the shoot. By spending time together beforehand, you and your photographers can actually get to know each other. In my experience as a seasoned wedding photographer, this is the key to creating magical photos and capturing priceless moments of and for the two of you. ensuring a smoother collaboration on the wedding day itself. Familiarity leads to trust. Trust allows you to feel comfortable in front of the camera, and able to be yourself. Opening up to your photographer will allow him or her to capture natural and authentic, powerful and moving photographs.
Reason 3: Trial Run for Poses and Styles
We all want beautiful photos of our wedding! Most of us however, wish we could get them without having to actually be in front of the camera! You may feel shy, vulnerable or exposed in front of the camera, and feel anxious about your wedding day photos. That’s why a pre-wedding photoshoot is so great! It can serves as a practice session, allowing you to get comfortable in front of the camera and allow your photographer to capture your true self. This trial run will familiarize you with your photographer’s approach to posing and directing, and you’ll know what to expect on your wedding day. It also provides an opportunity for your photographer to understand your dynamic as a couple. If you are playful and childlike, or rather shy and private, your photographer will have a different approach to capture your love story authentically.
Reason 4: Variety in Location and Clothing Styles
On your wedding day wedding day, time constraints and logistics can limit photo opportunities. A pre-wedding photoshoot on the other hand, provides the flexibility to choose diverse locations and outfits. You can select places that hold special meaning to you. If you are having a destination wedding, having a pre-wedding photoshoot could allow you to go home with professional photos of your wedding destination.
Your pre-wedding photoshoot could also be designed around things you love doing together. You could hike up a waterfall, or have a picnic on the beach. Go surfing or take a walk with your dogs. Light up a bonfire and eat smores under the stars. Possibilities are endless and you could design a truly perfect day for your pre-wedding photos. Same goes with your outfit. You could dress up the way you do on any ordinary occasion, or go for something bold and glamourous! This variety adds depth and storytelling to the overall photos.
Reason 5: Booking a pre-Wedding Photoshoot Allows you to be more creative
If you enjoy art and aesthetics, you might wish to have a photos that are a bit more creative. These photos are typically taken when all other photos have been “secured”. On your wedding day, there might not be enough time for both the candid shots and the more artsy ones. On a pre-wedding photoshoot on the other hand, there isn’t any such pressure in terms of time. Nothing to constrain the freedom to be creative and explore possibilities. When you receive your gallery of photos, you will be happy to have all the precious moments captured, with the other bonus of a couple of more artistic, unusual and unique frames.
Reason 6: Enhances Wedding Day Photography
The insights gained from a pre-wedding photoshoot contribute significantly to the success of your wedding day photography. You’ll have built a relationship based on trust with your photographer. You will be familiar and comfortable with his or her approach to couple portraits. Your photographer on the other hand will be familiar with your style, personalities and dynamics of your relationship. This is the best secret to capture the truest and most meaningful moments. This familiarity, and knowing exactly how to lead you through your portrait session will also enable your photographer to work more efficiently on your wedding day.
Reason 7: Expanding Your Wedding Experience
If you book a pre-wedding photoshoot in the days leading to your actual wedding, it could kickstart this magical time the two you, and the joy of this moment would keep growing until the big day. And what’s more, the photographs from your pre-wedding photoshoot could and should be more than just a collection of images. They can become a visual narrative of your love story.
These pictures can be displayed at your wedding reception, incorporated into a guestbook (I personally bring my Instax camera to pre-wedding and day before sessions so the couples who book me can place some of those keepsakes in their guestbook), or even framed as art in your home. So added to all the other benefits and fun of experience, the investment in a pre-wedding photoshoot yields not only stunning photographs but also a lasting reminder of the love and excitement leading up to the wedding day.
Bonus Reason 8: Book a pre-Wedding photoshoot To Personalized Save-the-Date and Wedding Invitations:
If you book a pre-wedding photoshoot well in advance of your wedding day, you could use the resulting images creatively for save-the-date cards and wedding invitations. You can choose a favorite image that reflects your personalities and style, and create a personalized and visually appealing announcement for your wedding. This not only sets the tone for the wedding but can also serve as a cherished keepsake for friends and family.
In conclusion, a pre-wedding photoshoot is a valuable investment for engaged couples, offering numerous benefits that extend beyond the tangible photographs. From building a strong connection with the photographer to creating personalized invitations and relieving pre-wedding stress, this tradition enhances the overall wedding experience. The memories captured during this special time serve as a beautiful prelude to the main event, creating a visual legacy that the couple will cherish for a lifetime.
If you’re looking for a photographer to capture your wedding or elopement and love what you’re seeing here, head over to Salt & Shores Photography and get in touch! I would love to hear all about your love story and wedding plan, and put my experience and creativity at your service to add to the magic.
