Most wedding clients choose an engagement photo session of some sort.  I offer quite a few different options and thought I'd go into the purpose of these sessions and tell you a little bit about them too.

I think the best reason to have an engagement session is the chance to capture yourselves as a couple without the grandeur or the pressures of the wedding day.  It's just cool to have professional shots of yourself in regular clothing and to see yourself in a moment in time as most others see you.  Engagement sessions are romantic, casual, relaxed.  I encourage my clients to pick the engagement package that most represents them. 

Some clients love the city of big shoulders and will choose my Chicago Session package.  I love this session as it affords me a chance to really deliver unique and romantic images for my clients.  There are just so many photo ideas there.  I shoot it all in color, but then turn everything to black and white and make it all look like old film shots from the 1960's.  You can see examples of the Chicago Engagement packages here.

Other clients despise the hustle and bustle of Chicago.  If you are a couple who enjoys a casual stroll through Deep River County Park or a sunset off the beach, then you should choose a Local Engagement session.  You can find more examples in my engagement gallery here.

So what do people do we these images?  Here are examples of what most of my clients do with their engagement photos:

• display a large print as well as other smaller ones at the reception hall as guests enter
• use for Save the Date cards designed by me or elsewhere
• have them on display at the reception hall in a Wish Book  
• display them in their new home

Another great purpose for engagement photos is getting used to being photographed.  I spend the entire wedding day with my clients and I'm soon accepted in and trusted.  This enables me to get great and fun candid moments.  However, getting to know each other during an engagement session can break the ice even quicker.  I've found that couples are much more relaxed in front of the lens after an engagement session.

There is no reason to take two dozen portraits either.  Sometimes there is no need to even be facing the camera.  Perhaps we want to show off the wedding date for some shots.  Maybe we are going for a tender moment or two or just maybe we want to get a little edgy with some sex appeal in our photos.  We can do all of these things. I'm very used to shooting for books, telling a story, so I like to provide you with many different images and looks.

I would encourage you to not be afraid of the dark either!!  I often like to split my Chicago Sessions up between day and night shots.  This can be done locally as well.  It's quite unique to have night time images.  Feel free to change clothes too.

Sometimes due to time constraints or budget, a couple may choose to get studio portraits done as their engagement photos.  A couple of 8x10's in frames will be next to the guest book when friends and family sign in.  It's another great and classy way to showcase your story.  Since I do studio work as well as on location, I can provide you with this option as well.

No matter which option you choose for your engagement photos, I know you are going to have a lot of fun and cherish them always.  I'm looking out the window as I'm typing this and can FINALLY see grass again.  This tells me Spring is on the way and engagement sessions are just around the corner.  Think about how you want yours to be and contact me here to get on the calendar.