5 Must-Know Reasons to Book an Engagement Photo Shoot Before Your Wedding
The beginning of your engagement can feel hectic. For the first time, you're not just pinning dreamy inspiration, you're making real decisions about what matters most to you. It’s exciting, but also overwhelming when every choice seems to cost time, money, or energy.
If you’ve been debating whether to invest in an engagement shoot, this is your sign to say yes because this season of your life deserves to be celebrated and fully experienced. And although it feels easy now to brush past these important moments, you really need to fully capture them!
Saying yes to what you truly want, in your engagement and wedding, can feel like a challenge. But this isn’t the time to start saying no. An engagement session isn’t just another to-do. It’s a memory in the making and the beginning of a beautiful story told through photos you'll treasure.
Today, we’re breaking down five reasons every couple should definitely invest in an engagement photo shoot, and why it’s so much more than just pretty pictures.
Image From: Purple Tree Photography
An Engagement Shoot Helps You Get Comfortable With Your Wedding Photographer
This is the perfect time to build a genuine connection with your photographer. Even if you later decide your engagement photographer won’t be the one shooting your wedding, this session gives you the chance to see how you vibe, and how they guide you.
Maybe you booked them based on a friend or family referral or fell in love with their website; either way, this shoot takes it from first impression to real-life experience. The hope is that you’ll get more comfortable in front of the camera leading to photos that are natural and capture your unique love story.
Let’s be honest, sometimes the hardest part of being photographed is letting go and having fun. But with a little practice (and the right person behind the lens), you’ll start showing up in photos like your full self.
You’ll be able to get all your awkward poses out of your system, so on your wedding day you’ll be pulling out your best poses. You’ll learn what works for you and your partner. Hugging it out may not be your style, but holding hands and walking together is the beauty shot. Keep trying different poses so you can feel and see which ones work best.
Photographers We Love Working With:
If you’re looking for Toronto photographers who bring editorial energy and modern storytelling, here are a few of our forever faves:
• Northstory Weddings – Modern, & documentary-style wedding photography
• Paula Visco – Modern, & elegant with a blend of emotion and style.
• Mango Studios – Refined, & artful imagery for design-forward couples
• Justyna Sokolowski – Dreamy portraits & soulful details with a film-inspired feel
2. Your Photographer Will Learn How to Capture Your Real Connection
The more your photographer gets to know you as a couple, the easier it becomes for them to capture the in-between, blink-and-you-will-miss-it kind of moments that truly matter. Your engagement session helps them learn your personalities, your dynamics, and all those sweet little quirks that make your relationship yours.
They’ll start to notice the angles you feel best in, the way you interact naturally, and even which side you prefer in photos (we all have one). This means come wedding day, they won’t waste a second figuring it out. They’ll know exactly how to direct you, and you’ll be free to let go, and feel confident.
3. You’ll Get to Document This Special Moment of Your Life
Image From: Samantha Ong Photography
After your wedding, you’ll be married, but right now, you’re engaged, and that deserves to be celebrated too. This season is full of anticipation, and planning. So why not pause for a moment and let a photographer capture all the raw emotion and excitement?
Think of your engagement shoot as Chapter One of your love story. These are the photos you’ll look back on with full hearts, the ones that will bring back the feeling of dedicating yourself to your partner for the very first time.
Picture this: It’s your 10-year anniversary. You pull out your engagement album and reminisce about what it felt like to be right on the edge of forever.
4.Use Engagement Photos to Personalize Your Wedding Decor
Image From: Minted Weddings
If you're planning to send out save-the-dates to your guests, your engagement shoot gives you the perfect photos to work with. It gives guests a little glimpse into your wedding journey, and instantly makes things feel more personal and intentional.
We’ve all had that moment where you're scrambling to find the right photo of you and your partner (or even your family), and nothing really hits. You scroll, you search, you crop, you zoom, but it’s just not the vibe. It’s not the one you want representing this moment of your life.
Your engagement shoot solves that. No last-minute stress. No settling. Just a gallery of beautiful, intentional images that you love, ready for your save-the-dates, engagement announcements, Instagram reveals, or even those sweet moments when relatives want to gush over your love story.
Even better? You can use those same photos to add personality to your wedding day itself. Think:
– A guestbook filled with your favourite shots
– A large easel print to welcome guests in style
– A gallery for your welcome table or bar
Whatever you choose, it’ll feel cohesive, meaningful, and totally you.
5. It Doubles as a Fun Date and a Trial Run for Hair & Makeup
Think of your engagement shoot as a fun, low-pressure date where you get to dress up, feel gorgeous, and celebrate being in love. Not only will you feel confident on camera, but you'll also get to see how your beauty choices photograph. You might fall in love with the look, or realize there’s something you’d tweak for the big day. Either way, you’ll feel more prepared.
Claudia and Co’s Tip: Use Your Engagement Shoot For Your Trial Makeup and Hair
Let’s be real, you didn’t save all those hair and makeup tutorials for nothing. Whether you’ve booked your glam squad for a trial or you’re DIY-ing it with your fave Pinterest inspo, this is your moment to try it out in real life and on camera.
Why wait until the wedding to figure out what works? See how your curls hold up in the wind, whether that blush is actually the right tone, or if you’re feeling yourself in that bold lip. This shoot is the trial and the dress rehearsal, minus the pressure.
Need A Llittle Beauty Inspo?
Here are two glam vendors we love working with, and so will your face, trust us.Muavee Makeup Studio - lead by renowned celebrity makeup artist Melanie Viger, and her team embody a dedication to enhancing individuality and celebrating diversity.
Jen Evoy Makeup Studio-Polished, radiant, and built to last. Jen and her team are known for bridal glam that stays put from “yes” to “last dance.”Blush x Balm-The queens of natural beauty. Blush x Balm is all about that effortless, luminous look that feels like you, only elevated.
TL;DR 5
1. Get Comfy With Your Photographer
Break the ice, ditch the awkward poses, and build real trust so your wedding photos feel relaxed and effortless.
2. Capture Your Real Connection
Your photographer learns your natural vibe, quirks, and angles, so they know exactly how to direct you on the big day.
3. Document This Sweet Moment
You're only engaged once. These photos capture the raw, in-between moments you'll treasure for years.
4. Add a Personal Touch to Your Decor
Use your fave shots for save-the-dates, your wedding guestbook, welcome table, or even framed gifts for family.
5. Turn It Into a Date + Hair & Makeup Trial
Test your glam look, get dressed up, and enjoy a no-pressure excuse to feel gorgeous (and in love).
Still unsure if an engagement session is right for you?
Trust us — the only thing couples ever regret is not taking more photos during this beautiful, once-in-a-lifetime season. If you want support planning your dream engagement shoot (and your dream day), book a consultation call with Claudia and Co. today
Image From: Mango Studios
Engagement Photo Shoot FAQs – What Couples Always Ask
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We recommend booking your shoot 4–8 months before your wedding, especially if you want to use your photos for save-the-dates or wedding decor. Spring and fall are popular seasons, but your engagement session should reflect you.
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Most engagement shoots last 60–90 minutes, depending on location and outfit changes.
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Think polished but you. Coordinating tones over matching, layers or textures that add movement, and outfits that make you feel confident. And if you’re unsure, ask your photographer, they’ve seen it all and can help you plan your look.