5 Reasons why you should have a pre-wedding shoot

A pre-wedding shoot is a chance for us all to meet up somewhere pretty and have a fun informal photo shoot well ahead of your wedding day. It's a great way to put you at ease about the way I'll be doing your photography at your wedding. It's also a chance for us to get to know each other better. 

After all, you're engaged, you have a wedding date, and when you realise you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible. So let's get that started with some beautiful pictures. I know that planning your wedding is a busy time. So why should you take time out to have a pre-wedding shoot? Well, these are my reasons why I think you should.

1. It's free

Yep, no charge at all. Once you've booked me to capture your wedding it's a complimentary part of the service. Just select the location. It can be somewhere special to you both; perhaps where you go for romantic walks together such as at an arboretum like Westonbirt, picturesque gardens such a those at Rococo in Painswick, or a more urban setting, it's up to you. If you get stuck for ideas, then I have plenty and would be happy to offer you a list of suggestions. The only thing I ask is that if there is an entrance fee that you pay for my ticket. It takes about an hour, however, why not spend some time together afterwards and make a day or an afternoon of it, have a nice lunch or a longer walk. Enjoy some together time.

2. It helps you relax about your photos on your actual wedding day

Wedding days can be a bit nerve-wracking at the best of times, so why not have one less thing to worry about, I'll help you to be relaxed on your day by showing you that having your photograph taken is enjoyable. "The best thing to hold onto in life is each other" as Audrey Hepburn famously said. So during your photoshoot, I suggest you do just that. Hold onto each other, get close, relax, chat, make silly jokes, laugh, even the odd kiss. I'll be there to capture everything that happens naturally; they do make for some of the best photographs.

I sometimes find the men can be a bit reluctant to be photographed, having a pre-wedding photoshoot reassures them that there is nothing to worry about and that being photographed can be, and is, fun.

You get to see how you look together, we can chat about and try out what you'd like to do on your actual wedding day. But always with my no awkward posing guarantee. Natural wedding photography is still best, and that's what I capture. I can give you some hints and tips such as what to do with your hands during the photos, especially useful for the men. A hand casually placed in your pocket with your thumb showing for your wedding day photographs is perfectly acceptable.

3. You get to see my style of photography with you as the subjects

You, in effect, get a little preview of the style that your wedding photographs will have. You may have chosen me, or are considering choosing me, based on the pictures you've seen on this website, or in a friends wedding album or on their gallery. By having a pre-wedding shoot, you get to see my style of photography, all with you at the centre of the image. Again, it will give you the confidence that your wedding photographs will be every bit as beautiful as you dare to dream.

4. We get to know each other better 

It is important to me that I get to know you as a couple, you've asked me to capture their wedding day after all. In turn, it helps put you at ease when you get to know me better, and it gives us all a chance to have a chat and get to know each other - do you like cats? I do, I have two and a dog. I also love country music - not the Dolly Parton kind more the rock and alternative country music kind - it is a thing - promise. Mainly though it gives us a chance to talk about your wedding plans in more detail. I can answer any questions you have. We can even combine the pre-wedding shoot with a visit to your chosen venue if you'd like. 

5. You get a set of lovely pictures to enjoy that remind you of the time you were engaged.

I've photographed lots of weddings and lots of pre-wedding shoots. I can honestly say that everyone, without exception, has enjoyed the experience. You may turn up to meet me on the day with a little trepidation, even nerves, "I hate having my photograph taken" you may say - especially the guys. But everyone enjoys it once we start, they really do. And afterwards, they enjoy their photos immensely.

I was leaving for a pre-wedding shoot recently at Clifton Suspension Bridge, one of my couples from last year called to arrange a collection of a framed print. She commented on how she wished it was them again going off to their pre-wedding shoot, they enjoyed it that much, and they loved their photos. 

The photos from the pre-wedding shoot, some of your favourites at least, should be on your wall. So get them off that computer and printed out for you to enjoy.

I've seen the photos used for all sorts from save the date cards, invitations, framed signing boards, order of service, featured in the guest book and printed off and dotted around the reception venue. I also had one couple who printed a life-sized version of themselves for a party game - pin the veil on the bride - that they played at their festival style wedding reception.

So, regardless of if you're nervous or confident in front of the camera; whether you're looking for beautiful documentary-style images or a more light-hearted themed style. I can promise that you will come out of the pre-wedding shoot having had fun, with us knowing each other a lot better and with you being a lot more confident about what to expect from me as your photographer on your wedding day.