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Engagement Sessions: Why they are amazing... AND WHY YOU NEED ONE.

Writer's picture: Shannon RockShannon Rock

Updated: 2 days ago


So, you’re planning your wedding, and your photographer brings up an engagement session. Your first thought might be: Do we really need an engagement session? Is it just another thing to add to our already-long to-do list?


Trust me, it’s worth it! Engagement sessions aren’t just about pretty photos (although you’ll get plenty of those!). They’re an essential part of your wedding photography journey, and here’s why everyone is making such a fuss about them—and why you’ll love having one.



Man kisses woman's forehead on a mountain cliff, woman wears red dress, serene mood, with Half Dome in the background. Yosemite moody engagement
DEBBIE & RUBEN, YOSEMITE HALF DOME

1. Practice Makes Perfect (And Less Awkward!)

Let’s face it: most people aren’t professional models. Posing in front of a camera can feel awkward, especially if you’ve never done it before. An engagement session is like a practice run where you can get comfortable in front of the lens.


2. Tester Results & Tailored Editing

Your photographer gets to test how to capture you in your best light—discovering your angles, figuring out how to make you smile, feel sexy, or just completely relaxed. This "tester in action" approach helps them learn what works for you, so the wedding day photography is nothing short of amazing. Afterward, your photographer will edit the engagement photos, applying custom settings and techniques to see what works best for your unique look and vibe. Think of it as a personalized trial run for your wedding photos. By the time the big day arrives, your photographer will know exactly how to capture and edit images that flatter you perfectly.


3. Built-In Warm-Up for the Big Day

Engagement sessions provide your photographer with invaluable preparation for your wedding day. They learn how to better capture you—your chemistry as a couple, your personalities, and even the subtle ways you interact. This warm-up is priceless, ensuring your wedding photos feel authentic and effortless.


Couple holding hands in a sunlit field, surrounded by tall trees and cloudy sky. The woman wears a hat; the setting feels calm and serene. Moody Yosemite valley
DEBBIE & RUBEN, YOSEMITE VALLEY

4. Trust and Bond with Your Photographer

The end result of an engagement session is often a stronger bond between you and your photographer. Any worries about how they’ll deliver on your wedding day will melt away because you’ve already experienced their work. By the time the big day arrives, you won’t even think twice about being in front of the camera—you’ll just trust them completely.


5. Capture This Chapter of Your Love Story

Your engagement is such a special time in your lives—a moment filled with anticipation, excitement, and love. It’s a chapter that deserves to be documented! Engagement photos beautifully capture the now: your inside jokes, your favorite hangout spots, and the energy of your pre-wedding journey. Plus, they’ll be a lovely reminder of this unique time once the whirlwind of planning and your wedding day is behind you.

A couple joyfully runs through shallow water, holding hands. They're in casual outfits, with mountains and a hazy sky in the background. Sunrise Lake Tahoe
MELINDA & THOMAS, LAKE TAHOE NEVADA

6. Brand Your Wedding with Your Photos

Having engagement photos opens up endless possibilities for wedding branding (for lack of a better term). You can use them on save-the-dates, invitations, wedding websites, and even in your welcome area at the venue. These images set the tone for your big day, showcasing your unique style and story.


7. Add a Dash of Personality

A couple embraces on a wooden dock at sunrise, with a calm lake and mountains in the background, creating a romantic ambiance. Lake Tahoe
MELINDA & THOMAS, LAKE TAHOE NEVADA

Engagement sessions give you the opportunity to showcase your unique style and interests. Want to dress up in formalwear for a glamorous, editorial look? Go for it. Prefer something casual and cozy with your pup in tow? Absolutely. Love a specific theme or vibe, like vintage, boho, or modern chic? Let’s make it happen. This is your chance to express yourselves in a way that’s authentically you.



8. It's Kind of Like an Additional Wedding Day

Here’s the fun part: an engagement session can feel like a mini wedding day. You can get dolled up, put on a tux, or even buy a second wedding dress if you want. Visit that dream location you couldn’t include on your actual wedding day. In some ways, it’s like having a private elopement—just the two of you, your photographer, and a whole lot of magic.


9. It’s Fun (Seriously!)

Let’s face it: wedding days can get a bit stressful with so many moving pieces. An engagement session, on the other hand, is all about fun. It’s a laid-back experience where it’s just the two of you. And if something goes wrong—like the wind messing up your hair or a spontaneous rain shower? Who cares! You’re not on a strict timeline, and it’s all about capturing joy, love, and laughter. It’s a refreshing breath of fresh air during the wedding planning process.


Close-up of a couple in black and white. A woman looks at the camera with droplets on her face while a man gently leans his face close. Wet sexy Cancun engagement session
KELSEY & JAMES, CANCUN

10. Timeless Memories, Beyond the Wedding

Engagement photos aren’t just for the here and now—they’re keepsakes for the future. They’ll remind you of your relationship before you said "I do", showcasing your unique bond in an authentic way. Whether it’s flipping through an album, displaying a favorite shot in your home, or showing your kids someday, these images will hold sentimental value for years to come.


So, Is an Engagement Session Worth It?

Absolutely. Engagement sessions aren’t just an add-on; they’re an investment in your wedding photography experience—and in capturing the story of your love.


It’s not just about getting great photos (although you will!). It’s about preparing for your big day, creating a meaningful connection with your photographer, and celebrating this special time in your lives. So, go ahead, say yes to an engagement session. Trust us—it’s one decision you won’t regret.


A couple holds hands, smiling against a rustic brick wall with faded text. The woman wears a hat and beige pants, creating a joyful mood. sutter creek moody engagement session
CHRISTY & STEVEN, SUTTER CREEK CALIFORNIA

NEXT BLOGS COMING YOUR WAY!!!

"Tips on how to search for your perfect photographer"

"What you need to show your vendors, SO YOU CAN HAVE the kind of wedding and elopement you actually want."

"Top Engagement Portrait locations in Northern California."


Photography by: Shannon Lea Rock, Owner of Preserve Studio

Company Site: preservestudio.com 

Artist Site: shannonlearock.com 

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Preserve Studio owner Shannon Lea Rock top engagement photographer in the world on June Bug Weddings

Capturing the tales of the bravely bold & wildly in-love couples since 2013 

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STOCKTON, SACRAMENTO, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

SPECIALIZING IN DESTINATION, ADVENTURE, LUXURY AND BESPOKE CONCEPTUAL PHOTOGRAPHY FOR WEDDINGS, ELOPEMENTS & ENGAGEMENTS

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