If your photography package doesn’t include engagement photos and you don’t think they’re worth the extra cost, we’re about to convince you otherwise. 1.  Get to know your Photographer. Your Photo- grapher is the one vendor you will spend every minute of your wedding day with. They’re going to get up close and personal, be front and center for intimate moments, and will follow and document every move you make. That’s why it’s so important to make sure you get along. An engagement shoot allows you to learn how your Photographer works, get used to his or her style and rhythm, and will help you bond! 2. Become comfortable in front of the camera. Posing for photos can be awkward. Spending a few hours with your photographer at your engagement shoot will make you more comfortable with posing and smiling for the camera. Plus, both you and your Photographer will learn your best angles to ensure you end up with gorgeous wedding photos. 3. Use the photos for save-the-dates, your guest book, or wedding website. Instead of a generic save-the-date card, send a photo of you and your fiancé holding a chalkboard with your wedding date. You could also create a scrapbook of well wishes and advice from your guests next to your engagement photos to flip through after your wedding! It’s true that engagement photos aren’t necessary to create either of these, but they add such a unique and personal touch! 4. Have professional photos of you and your fiancé. The majority of the photos you and your fiancé have together are probably selfies. There may be the occasional group shot with friends or on a vacation, but this is your chance to have professional, quality photos taken of you! These sessions can capture playful, flirtatious, romantic, intimate, and candid moments shared between you and your fiancé. They show real emotion and are beautiful representations of your relationship. 5. Make memories with your fiancé. Planning your wedding can be such a hectic and chaotic time that you don’t get to enjoy a quiet moment with your fiancé! Having an engagement session will allow you to enjoy being engaged. You’ll get to have fun being goofy and romantic, and will create happy memories together. When you look back, do you want to remember how stressed you were, or the laughs and smiles you shared with your fiancé during your engagement shoot? A l i c i a L u c i a P h o t o g r a p h y Bridal Session – This session is taken with the bride on the wedding day before the ceremony. They’re typically close-up portrait shots that capture the details of her gown, bouquet, makeup, and hair. Boudoir – These glamour shots are a sexy tribute to pin-up models, typically taken of the bride in lingerie or sleepwear. While the bride may be wearing little to no clothing, the posing and angles of the photos are very discreet and artistic. First Look – A first look is a photo shoot shared between the couple before the wedding ceremony. Not only do you get great photos of the groom’s reaction, but you can save a lot of photo time between the ceremony and reception by taking portrait shots at the first look. Fisheye Lens – This is an ultra-wide lens that provides a panoramic view, where the image is distorted to make the center look closer to the lens and the edges seem farther away. Second-Shooter – Some Photographers will include a second-shooter in their photography package. Just as it sounds, this is a second Photographer who will also capture photos on your wedding day to get more angles and a diverse selection of photos. KNOW THE LINGO R R ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS OH Snap! Photography LMAC Photography Black Dog Photo Co. Black Dog Photo Co. Sabrina Hall Photography PHOTOGRAPHY 68 | TODAY'S BRIDE 8-12 MONTHS UNTIL "I DO"