Reasons to have a pre-wedding shoot
Reasons to have a pre-wedding shoot
Pre wedding shoots are sometimes referred to as engagement shoots, but are generally done closer to the date of the wedding than your engagement. You may wonder if they have any particular benefits…Here is my list of 4 reasons to have a pre-wedding shoot.
- It is a great way to get to know your photographer and let them get to know you.….
At this point you may have met your photographer a couple of times at wedding fayres or in an initial meeting. But other than general pleasantries, the likelihood is it has so far all been photography and wedding chat.
I love to get to know my couples, find out what they do for a living and how they met. The more I know about you, the more unique your wedding photos become. Are you going to be quietly gazing lovingly into one another’s eyes all day? Or more likely to be giving one another piggy backs, during the mini Olympics you’ve planned as your wedding entertainment. It’s all relevant!
2. You will feel more comfortable with the camera….
Sometimes people think that pre-wedding shoots are only for couples that love having their photo taken. This couldn’t be further from the truth. I think the more nervous you are about the camera, the more you should consider a pre-wedding shoot. On the big day itself you get one attempt at looking and feeling comfortable in your pictures. Having a practice and seeing how your photographer works can only be a good thing.
I have lots of little tips and tricks that can help you feel more comfortable and help you look your best. It makes most people realise that there really is nothing to worry about and that images where you are walking, chatting and laughing, won’t feel contrived or uncomfortable.
Top Tip: Have your makeup trial on the same day as your pre-wedding shoot. You get to see how the makeup looks on camera and you will feel your very best while being photographed. As far as reasons to have a pre-wedding shoot go, getting to show off your talented makeup artist’s work, is a great one!
3. You can explore your wedding venue in more detail…..
I generally conduct my pre-wedding shoots outside, somewhere picturesque…which includes pretty much every wedding venue in North Somerset. Depending on where you live, a shoot at your wedding venue is perfect to explore the grounds and find areas you may not even know existed. I have held pre wedding shoots at all sorts of Somerset wedding venues, including: Cadbury House, Clevedon Hall, Coombe Lodge, Batch Country House and Barley Wood. Most are very happy to accommodate their couples and it’s a good opportunity to ask any quick questions you have, while you are there.
I also regularly shoot at beautiful public spaces such as Clifton Suspension Bridge, Ashton Court Estate, Clevedon Seafront and all over the beautiful city of Wells. Take a look at Clare and Arun’s Wells shoot here and Collette and Richard’s Clifton Suspension Bridge shoot here.
4. You will create some beautiful images……
Images from your pre-wedding shoot can be used for all sorts of things. Gifts for parents on the wedding day itself, or the perfect gift if you have birthdays, Mother’s Day or Christmas falling between your shoot and your wedding day.
They can be used inside signature frames, (see the extras page on my website for details) on orders of service, displayed at the wedding, or even forced upon a bridesmaid or bestman who you know is going to be presenting a slideshow of awful photos of you…it might as well end on a nice note!
Still not sure if a pre-wedding shoot is for you? Take a look at my portraits gallery. Most of the couples featured are images from clients pre wedding shoots – all ages, shapes and sizes looking confident and comfortable.
For pre-wedding shoot prices head over to my extras page. Get in touch for more information, or to add one to your wedding photography package. I recommend that pre-wedding shoots take place no closer than 4 weeks before your wedding.