If the thought of having your photos taken on your wedding day makes you feel a little nervous, you’re definitely not alone.

Most couples I photograph tell me they’re not used to being in front of the camera. They don’t know what to do with their hands, they feel awkward posing, or they’re worried they’ll look stiff and uncomfortable.

This is exactly why I love engagement sessions.

It’s not just about getting some beautiful photos before your wedding. It’s a really good chance to get comfortable in front of the camera, get to know me and have some time together without the wedding day schedule hanging over you.

Get comfortable in front of the camera

You don’t need to know how to pose. In fact, I’d much rather you didn’t.

During your engagement session I’ll guide you through things that feel natural and easy, rather than putting you into a bunch of stiff poses.

By the end of the session, you’ll have a much better idea of what it feels like to have me photographing you.

Then when your wedding day comes around, having a camera following you around won’t feel quite so strange.

Couple sitting together on a log in Kiriwhakapapa Redwood Forest

Get to know me before your wedding day

Your photographer is going to be around you for a lot of your wedding day.

I’ll probably be there while you’re getting ready, during your ceremony, portraits, family photos, dinner and plenty of the in-between moments too.

So it’s nice to meet properly beforehand.

An engagement session gives us a chance to hang out, have a chat and get to know each other without the pressure of a wedding day.

You can tell me all about your plans, your favourite parts of the day and anything you’re feeling a little unsure about.

Hopefully by the time your wedding arrives, I won’t feel like a stranger with a camera.

Have photos that aren't wedding photos

There’s something really nice about having photos of you two that aren't connected to your wedding.

You can wear something you actually feel like yourself in, go somewhere you love and just spend an hour together.

Maybe that’s the beach, a favourite walking spot, somewhere in the Wairarapa countryside or even just somewhere that has a bit of meaning to you both.

They’re also great for save-the-dates, your wedding website, invitations or just having some lovely photos of this stage of your relationship.

Candid photo of a couple walking hand in hand

Work out what you like

An engagement session also gives you a chance to see how I photograph you before the wedding.

You might realise you love the really candid photos. Or maybe you love a few more directed portraits.

It gives us a chance to figure out what you like and what feels like you.

And if there’s something you want more or less of on your wedding day, we can chat about it beforehand.

Have a break from wedding planning

This might actually be my favorite reason to have an engagement session.

Wedding planning can be a lot.

There are so many decisions to make and things to organize that sometimes it’s easy to forget what you're actually doing all of this for.

Your engagement session is just an excuse to stop for an hour, spend some time together and enjoy being engaged.

No seating plans. No emails. No suppliers to chase.

Just you two, somewhere beautiful, doing your thing.

You don't have to be good at photos

And if you're thinking, but we're really awkward in photos, don't worry.

Most people say that.

You don't need to know how to pose and you definitely don't need to be a model. I’ll give you plenty of direction throughout the session, while also letting things happen naturally.

I’m looking for the little laughs, the way you look at each other and all the in-between moments that make the photos feel like you.

An engaged couple sharing a quiet moment together

So, is an engagement session worth it?

I think so.

Not because you need more photos, but because it gives you a chance to get comfortable, get to know your photographer and have a little pocket of time together before the craziness of the wedding day begins.

And if you end up with some beautiful photos along the way, even better.

If you're planning a Wairarapa wedding and want your engagement photos to feel relaxed, natural and actually like you, I'd love to photograph them for you.