Should we have an engagement session? | Pittsburgh Wedding Photographer

PITTSBURGH WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

PITTSBURGH ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS

So you have that shiny new diamond on your finger and you instantly think – ENGAGEMENT PICS!!!  Am I right?!  You want to show off that ring, show off your love, and tell your story to the world!  I get it – and so do hundreds of other brides.  When I meet with new couples, the one question always comes up – Should we have an engagement session? 

THE KNOT AND WEDDING WIRE ADVICE

You are reading through all of the online blogs, wedding websites, and Pinterest.  You will read tons of articles on how you ABSOLUTELY MUST have an engagement session. The Knot and Wedding Wire both have many articles on this.  Do not miss out on an engagement session.  Having an engagement session will make your wedding day photos SO MUCH BETTER.  Engagement sessions are the BEST way to get to know your photographer.  These types of articles can really make you nervous.   Well I’m here, dear friends, to give you the honest truth.  I’ve debunked their ‘you absolutely positively must have a second photographer for your wedding’ articles, did I not?  So here’s some honest truth about engagement sessions.

SCHEDULING AN ENGAGEMENT SESSION

I’m not going to sit here and tell you that you HAVE to or MUST schedule an engagement session.  Do I want you to schedule one?  Well, HECK YES I do!!  Why wouldn’t I?!  I LOVE engagement sessions and engagement sessions in Pittsburgh are pretty stinking fantastic.  Engagement sessions are so fun, so laid back, and yes, it does give us some time prior to the wedding to get to know each other a little bit.  You will get to use the photos at your bridal shower, on the tables at the wedding reception, in a guest book, or just to hang them all over your house!  Having photos together is important to have – of course I’m saying that – I’m a photographer.

The day of your wedding may not allow us to go to a location that you love.  I will often suggest an engagement session so that you still get to utilize a space or a location that is important to your love story.  The last decent looking photo you have together was from years ago and so an updated one for your save the dates is needed.  Sometimes the engagement session is a must have.  It is all about YOUR needs for your relationship, your wedding planning, and your budget.  But let me tell you, if you do NOT have an engagement session, it is not going to make or break your wedding day photos and it sure as heck isn’t going to keep us from having a fabulous working relationship.

NOT SCHEDULING AN ENGAGEMENT SESSION

I’ve heard it many many times from my brides that they want an engagement session but their fiances aren’t really into it.  I get it!  My husband has NO interest in taking professional photos.  We recently this year had anniversary photos taken and it wasn’t easy getting him to commit to doing them.  I have couples that do not live in the Pittsburgh area and getting schedules together to travel in, hope for nice weather, and schedule a session is just not ideal.  I have couples that do not need save the dates.  I’ve had couples that just straight out had no interest in them at all.  But guess what … their wedding day was amazing.  Their photos were fantastic (totally not biased), and we still had a great time working together.

IT IS YOUR DECISION

So when you ask me if you should have an engagement session, I’m always going to answer with a question – Do you want to have an engagement session?  We will talk about what you need, what you envision, and what works best for your wedding plans.

Again, I’m always going to want you to do an engagement session!  I love them – did I say that already?!  But because it is your decision, I have it as a discounted option to add on for my couples.  It is there if you want or need it, but you don’t have to add it on if you don’t want it.  And guess what, we are going to have a blast planning this wedding together – engagement session or not!

. Are you recently engaged and planning your Pittsburgh wedding?!  I’d LOVE to hear from you!  Please feel free to contact me below or email me directly at AmandaBriscoPhotography@gmail.com .