Over the years, one of the most common questions I'm asked is "do we need an Eshoot....also......what's an Eshoot?!" And over the years my answer has varied. The short answer is, no. They are not absolutely essential. However, over time I've really come to appreciate the value of an Engagement shoot.
Here's why......
As a photographer, with a deeply sentimental soul, I'm a big believer in the concept of "Document Your Days". An Engagement shoot gives you the perfect opportunity to document this period of time, when its just the two of you, before you embark upon the greatest adventure of them all. It's also a wonderful excuse to take a break from all the "wedmin"! Planning a wedding can be a long, and sometimes stressful, process. Taking a step back to spend some time together and remember where it all started can help bring focus to the things that are really important - the two of you being together. After all, that's what its all about!
Almost all of my couples say "I hate having my picture taken!" and I hear you, I'm exactly the same!! Hence I devised a really clever plan to spend all my time behind the camera (cue evil laugh)
In all seriousness, having an Engagement shoot is a great way to banish any nerves you have surrounding the photography aspect of your day. Once you've seen how we work, how relaxed and natural the whole process is (as in, there's no cheesy posing!!) then you can stop stressing over the photos and focus on something more important. Like cake.
And as the old saying goes, practice makes perfect!
If you've already been on this adventure for a little while then you may have already started a family, either with kids or your dogs, aka fur babies! Your engagement shoot can then become
more of a family shoot. So its a really lovely way to update your family pictures and to not have to worry about who will look after the kids whilst your gallivanting around the woods with your photographer.
WARNING- Dogs will steal your thunder at an Eshoot and will almost always become the star of the show. Ask Lauren & Pete. You have been warned!
I love spending this extra time with my couples before the wedding! Not only does it mean that we get to hear all about your latest plans and work through any timing issues that may have cropped up, but it also means we get to know you better! Us photographers are intuitive creatures, and the better we know you, your likes and dislikes, the easier it will be for us to get the best from you when the time comes for your couples portraits on the wedding day.
At the risk of scaring anyone off, you will spend more time with us than any other wedding supplier! Everyone else will hand you the stationary, or a dress etc, and wish you all the best for your big day. Whereas with us, we'll be with you on the day itself, from the morning preparations through to the prosecco fueled dancing! Spending this extra time with us means that by the time your wedding day comes, we're not just strangers walking around with cameras, we're practically mates!
And lastly, it’s a great excuse to get creative and have some fun! Our Engagement shoots are super relaxed, spending a couple of hours together walking, talking and usually laughing, a lot! All the while looking out for cute spots to shoot in where the light is pretty or the architecture is awesome.
So for anyone still umming and ahhing about what an Eshoot is, or if you even need one at all, then I hope this answers your questions! And if not, then you know where to find me!
Hayley x