Why You Shouldn’t Skip Your Engagement Session

Planning your wedding comes with a hundred little decisions, and one of the first is often: “Should we do an engagement session?” Some couples wonder if it’s really necessary, especially when they’re already investing in full wedding photography coverage.

As a Raleigh-based destination wedding photographer, I can confidently say that engagement photos aren’t just “extra.” They’re one of the most valuable steps you can take to ensure your wedding day photos feel natural, genuine, and stress-free. In fact, I include engagement sessions in several of my wedding photography packages because of the difference they make!

If you’re on the fence, here are five important reasons not to skip your engagement session.

1. Opportunity to Get Comfortable in Front of the Camera

Most couples I work with in Raleigh (and all over the country!) tell me they’ve never had professional photos taken together before. It’s normal to feel awkward when you first step in front of the camera. That’s where your engagement session comes in.

Think of it as a “practice run” before your wedding day. You’ll learn how it feels to be photographed, get used to posing together, and discover that being in front of the camera can actually be fun. By the time your wedding day arrives, you’ll feel relaxed and confident—and your photos will reflect that.

2. You’ll Build a Stronger Relationship with Your Photographer

Your wedding photographer is by your side more than almost anyone else on your wedding day—sometimes even more than your maid of honor or parents! That’s why building a genuine connection is so important.

An engagement session is the perfect chance to get to know each other before the big day. You’ll see how I direct and interact with you, and I’ll learn what makes you both laugh, how you naturally connect, and what kind of moments feel most “you." That way, when your wedding arrives, it won’t feel like a stranger is following you around with a camera. Instead, it will feel like you have a friend documenting your story.

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3. Provides Photos for Wedding Details

Your wedding gallery is full of stunning portraits, but engagement photos are the ones you’ll use long before the big day arrives.

Couples often use their engagement photos for:

• Save-the-date cards

• Wedding websites

• Guest books

• Invitations or programs

• Framed prints to display at their reception

• Social media announcements

  
  

Having a gallery of images you love means you’ll be able to personalize your wedding details and share your excitement with family and friends.

4. Highlight the Key Parts of Your Relationship

Your engagement session doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s—it’s a chance to celebrate your story.

Some couples choose a meaningful location, like:

• The coffee shop where you had your first date

• A park you walk your dog in every week

• The college campus where you met

• A downtown cityscape that feels like home

Others use their session as an excuse to dress up and explore a new location together. Whether we’re shooting in the streets of New York City, the coast of North Carolina, or throughout the beautiful Charleston lowcountry, your engagement photos highlight the unique story that brought you here.

5. Celebrate This Season!!

It’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of wedding planning. But being engaged is a chapter worth remembering on its own!

Your engagement session is a chance to pause, soak it all in, and celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime season. You’ll have photos that capture your excitement, joy, and anticipation—and when you look back years from now, they’ll remind you of exactly how this time felt.

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I believe engagement sessions are such a valuable part of the wedding photography process that I offer them with several of my wedding packages. Whether your wedding is in North Carolina or across the country, your engagement session sets the tone for a stress-free, joy-filled wedding day.

If you’re considering skipping your engagement photos, my advice is simple: don’t. The memories, connection, and confidence you’ll gain are truly priceless.

If you are looking for a photographer available worldwide I would love to work and celebrate you! Click HERE to inquire about my wedding packages, destination location discounts, and any other questions you might have!