I’m often asked by clients as to why all my wedding packages include an engagement session for free. Yes, free. Allow me to explain why…

Whenever I meet a new client I first sit down just to learn about the couple and what they envision their wedding to be like. What is their priority for wedding photographs, and what products do they have in mind for their finished wedding photographs. We get to know all of our clients, in order to best fit their needs as a photographer.

One of the best ways I have found for clients to get great wedding-day photographs, is by shooting an engagement session for them. The e-session allows us to interact with our clients in a relaxed setting, with the camera in front of them, thereby getting everyone comfortable with the camera so that come wedding day the photographs are natural.

I simply love to direct clients for portrait sessions, but on the wedding day it’s really all about capturing candid moments that tell the story of one of the most important days in two people’s lives. This story can only be told if we are trusted by the wedding party, family and guests to capture what we see. It’s our responsibility as photographers to preserve the memories of a wedding day.

On the other hand, bridal sessions are a completely different story. Some would prefer to switch an engagement session for a bridal session, but I am no longer honoring that substitution (on rare occasions I will allow it).

Bridal sessions can be up to a day-long affair. The bride has her dress ready, her hair & makeup ready, and sometimes even a bouquet for the shoot. Locations are scouted, ideas are passed back and forth, schedules are reserved, and finally the photographs are taken. When all of these pieces of the puzzle come together, the end result is astonishingly beautiful. Yesterday’s bridal session was out of this world and I simply cannot wait to showcase the images on the blog next month.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. It is a rarity that I’ll “talk” at length on here, but I thought that this would be important to bring up at the start of this year’s wedding season. I simply love meeting with my clients and helping plan their big day. A lot of responsibility rests on our shoulders as wedding photographers and I’m committed in providing the best service possible.

If we haven’t met, please do so by commenting here, or emailing andy@donnanphotography.com. I’d love to speak with you about your wedding.