TEACHING TO BE IGNORED by THE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER IN CASCAIS
The photos are from a pre-wedding session in a garden in Cascais
• Pode ler este artigo em Português.
Wedding Photographer: The Magic of the Engagement Session
Being a wedding photographer is much more than capturing special moments on the big day. The preparation, connection with the couple, and creating an environment of trust and freedom are essential elements in ensuring that wedding photos are unforgettable.
One of the most important steps in this process is the engagement session, also known as the pre-wedding session. This is when the wedding photographer has the opportunity to get closer to the couple, understand their personalities, and prepare for the big day.
The Importance of the Engagement Session
The engagement or pre-wedding session goes beyond just creating beautiful photos. For the wedding photographer, this moment is crucial in building a relationship of trust with the couple and understanding their dynamics. During the session, the photographer has the opportunity to:
- Create a set of photos that symbolize the couple before the wedding.
- Link the engagement session photos to those taken on the wedding day.
- Establish communication with the couple so that interaction on the big day is natural and fluid.
These moments provide an opportunity to relax and explore the best angles, expressions, and compositions that capture the couple’s essence. It’s not just a chance to get to know the couple but also to feel the dynamics between the photographer and the couple.
Freedom of Movement and Connection
The secret to getting great wedding photos lies in freedom of movement. The engagement session allows the wedding photographer to gain confidence in understanding how far they can go with the couple in terms of direction and positioning for the photos. More importantly, during this session, the couple sees the photographer’s style and feels comfortable, allowing them to capture the essence of the moment without interference.
For the photographer, the goal is always to be as “invisible” as possible on the big day. The more “invisible” they feel, the better the result will be. This is only possible when there is prior preparation, such as the engagement session. During this time, the photographer and the couple establish an essential connection, which makes the natural flow of photos on the wedding day much easier.
Benefits of the Engagement Session for the Couple
In addition to being an excellent opportunity for the wedding photographer, the engagement session also brings many benefits to the couple:
- Get to know the photographer better: The engagement session provides the chance to understand the photographer’s style and approach, which results in more confidence on the big day.
- Learn how to behave in front of the camera: Some couples may feel uncomfortable being photographed, but the engagement session allows them to get used to the camera and feel more at ease.
- Improve communication between the couple and the photographer: Effective communication is key to successful photos. During the engagement session, the photographer learns how the couple interacts with each other and adjusts their guidance to achieve the best results.
The Initial Connection Between the Groom, Bride, and Photographer
The value of the engagement session goes beyond photography. It represents the first real interaction between the photographer and the couple in a more relaxed setting, away from the pressures of the wedding day. This moment helps to:
- Build a relationship of trust.
- Ensure the photographer understands the couple’s preferences, tastes, and style.
- Facilitate the naturalness of photos during the wedding ceremony, allowing the photographer to capture genuine and emotional moments.
The Engagement Session in the Context of Wedding Photography
For the wedding photographer, the engagement session is much more than just a photo shoot. It is an opportunity to revisit their roots as a photographer, a return to the passion for taking their first photos when photography was still an expression and not just a job.
The thrill of capturing spontaneous moments, finding the best framing, and directing the couple for a unique shot is something that still motivates the photographer, even years after starting their professional career. This excitement continues to be a driving force that keeps the wedding photographer passionate about their craft, even on wedding days when the pressure is higher.
Conclusion:
The engagement session is an essential moment in preparing for the big day, not only to ensure exceptional wedding photos but also to build a relationship of trust between the photographer, the couple, and their love. It provides a unique opportunity for the photographer to understand the couple and for the couple to become familiar with the experience of being photographed, which is crucial for capturing genuine moments on the wedding day.
If you are planning your wedding and want the best photos to remember your big day, don’t hesitate to schedule an engagement session with me. Let’s discuss the details of your day and make sure every moment is captured with care and love. Get in touch and come see my work!
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