Why You Should Book an Engagement Shoot with Your Elopement Photographer
For many couples out there, the question of “Should we elope” rings in their heads.
They know they want intimacy, a day that’s fully dedicated to them, and the opportunity to say their vows in a place that makes them feel alive. But sometimes, getting from the desire to have those things to actually having those things can be a big leap.
Thankfully, there are lots of resources out there to help educate and encourage couples to do what they want on their wedding day –so that pool of people who wonder, “Should we just go for it and elope?” is getting smaller and smaller. And often, the answer is a resounding yes. (A fact I’m totally thrilled about).
Still, even for those couples who aren’t questioning whether or not to elope, another big question is still on the table–what should we do about engagement photos?
My advice? Hire your elopement photographer to capture some stunning and sentimental shots for you.
As an elopement photographer (who also captures all kinds of intimate couples’ sessions, like engagement shoots!), I’m a big supporter of hiring a photographer to capture engagement photos for you–preferably the photographer you’d like to hire for your elopement.
Why is this such an important and exciting thing to do? That’s exactly what this blog is here to hammer out for you.
A lot of couples tend to think that engagement photos happen for one of two very specific circumstances:
- Surprise engagement photos where one person doesn’t know the proposal is coming
- Photos for couples who need images for their traditional wedding invitations
Both of those things are super valid reasons to opt for an engagement shoot–but they’re definitely not the only reasons to have one.
There are tons of reasons to hire a photographer and have engagement photos taken that don’t fit into those two categories.
Maybe you and your partner want to soak in these few moments of being engaged–that beautiful little interim before you say your vows and become spouses. Maybe you both want an opportunity to celebrate your love for each other through this unique lens. Maybe you simply want photos taken because that’s a thing you both enjoy doing.
There’s no wrong reason for hiring someone to capture engagement photos for you–and even more importantly, there’s no wrong way to go about it, either.
Want my spin on this? I think it’s an incredible opportunity to have those photos captured by someone who’s either already booked or you might want to book for your elopement day.
Obviously, I’m very pro-capture-all-those-important-moments–no matter who’s taking the photos. That means even if you don’t hire your elopement or wedding photographer to take these, they should still be captured.
But I also think your engagement photos could be a fabulous opportunity to hype yourselves up for your wedding day.
Here are a few reasons I think it’s a great idea to hire your elopement photographer to capture your engagement photos, too!
You’ll Get a Chance to Get to Know Your Elopement Photographer
Obviously, your engagement photos are about your and your partner above all–but if you hire your elopement photographer to capture them, you get the fringe benefit of getting acquainted with your photographer before your wedding day.
You can see how they like to work, what sort of direction they provide, and, importantly, how you feel about them capturing your big day.
It can act like a meet and greet of sorts–you get to experience what it’s like to work with them, and they get to know you and understand what’s comfortable for you both.
Get Your Photo Jitters Out
Consider this a practice round–but like, a fun and exciting practice round where you end up with stunning photos you’ll always cherish. It’s no secret that sometimes being in front of the camera can be a little uncomfortable at first. There’s no shame in the fact that it can take a minute to warm up, let loose, and be yourself.
This time period could be a touch longer if you’re just getting to know your photographer or hanging out in front of the lens for the first time.
Listen, there’s no hard and fast rule that says you’ll be awkward on your elopement day if you don’t have an engagement session (because that’s simply not true!). But if you’re already nervous about warming up in front of the camera and being yourself, it might be really helpful for you to have a practice round!
You Might Be More Comfortable & Less Stressed on Your Elopement Day
If you know what to expect on your elopement day (from a photo perspective, at least), you can invest more time and energy into mindfulness. Stress is the very reason most people choose to forgo big, traditional weddings and opt for elopements (which inherently tend to be less stressful in general).
If you find that the idea of photos or capturing images of you could trigger stress, engagement photos could be the perfect way to address those concerns head-on, quell your anxiety, and allow you to relax fully on your elopement day when the lens comes out.
You’ll Have Engagement Photos to Cherish Forever
This is my all-time favorite reason for couples to get engagement photos. The entire point of distilling moments into photos is so that you can hold onto them forever, launch yourself back into those emotions, and savor the nostalgia of it all.
The small period of time when you’re engaged is a moment that deserves to be celebrated, enjoyed, and cherished–capturing these moments permanently and keeping them with you forever is something both you and your partner deserve to experience.
It’s the Perfect Chance to Connect with Your Partner
If you have an engagement photo session–especially one that maybe mimics the goals of your elopement day–you’re gifting yourselves a chance to reconnect, bond, and focus entirely on the upcoming elopement.
This isn’t like a planning day, though–it’s a chance to slow down, soak it in, and remind each other that the best day of your lives is happening so soon. With your engagement session, you can really experience that connection together–feel what it might be like to have someone capture you in your element, sample what a day like that feels like, and explore how you can make your elopement day even better.
Want to Capture the Magic of Your Engagement? I Can Help
Technically, I’m an elopement photographer–but really, I’m all about capturing meaningful moments for couples. And to me, that means any and every moment that matters–couple sessions, engagement photos, wedding days, and more.
If you’re looking to preserve your precious moments as an engaged couple in photos, I’m here to help–whether I’m booked for your elopement or not! Reach out to me with all your questions, ideas, and inspiration–I’m here to help you create and capture images you’ll want to remember forever.
I wasn’t sure if doing an engagement shoot with our elopement photographer would be necessary, but now I’m totally convinced. Do you have any tips for choosing outfits that will complement both the engagement shoot and the elopement?
So glad the post helped you decide! For outfits, I’d say stick to something that makes you feel like you. For engagement shoots, you could go with a more casual look, and for the elopement, something a bit more elevated but still in the same color palette so they flow nicely together. Let me know if you need more ideas—I’m here to help!
we’re still on the fence about whether to book an engagement shoot. we’re a little camera shy, and i’m worried we’ll look awkward. do you have any advice for couples like us?
Totally get it, Alex! Honestly, an engagement shoot is the perfect way to get comfortable in front of the camera before the big day. It’s a low-pressure way for us to hang out, and I’ll guide you through everything so you won’t even think about the camera. We’ll make it fun, I promise!