Whether it’s a surprise proposal or a part of your wedding package, we are always thrilled to capture the magic of an engagement!
But what makes these photos so essential? Why get engagement photos taken after you’ve posted the big bling to your snapchat crew?
Well, we can tell you a bunch of reasons why engagement photos are a must-have, but as professional photographers, we may come off as a bit bias. So, we brought the question to our clients and we narrowed it down to 3 solid reasons.
1. From “You/Me” to “We”
You’ve found the person you want to share the rest of your life with, and you’re ready to take the next step down the aisle. Your journey doesn’t start after you say “I do” and it’s not the beginning of your romantic relationship. It is the first chapter in creating a family unit within each other. The evolution to being two people in love to becoming one single force.
Beth made us realize that it’s not just about romance, but also about family when I asked her why her engagement photos were important to her:
“It was our first time having professional photos taken of us as a couple–as a unit. When I saw them for the first time it was like seeing us as a real family.”
That really put it in perspective! A start of a family is something to be honored and preserved for the rest of your legacy.
Plus, without engagement photos, the only professional photos you’ll have of yourselves is in wedding attire! Not that you won’t be stunning, but do you want your walls filled with only photos from the wedding, or a good mix?
2. Remembering and Renewing
“Until death do us part” can be a little intimidating … literally your entire life! During that time, Samantha put it perfectly how important her engagement photos will be for her in later years:
“Ten years from now we can look upon our photos and see all the ups and down we have had over the years. Everything we have accomplished within the ten years or even farther in the future. When we have grand children and we’re gray and old, I want to share where it all started.”
One of our brides, Katherine, told us it’s all about memories —
“For me it’s a big part of making memories. It’s a way to look back and remember all the love that each one shares as you enter a new stage of your relationship. Bonus is if you use them for save the dates you share those memories with everyone else!”
“I want to be able to look an reflect on the moment long after it has past. Memory is great, but having the pictures to look back at can really put you back in the moment. Our engagement wasn’t even a year ago and I love looking at these pictures and remembering Hannah’s reaction and subsequent answer, or… erm, reaction… (She snatched the ring and put it on. Once she had realized she needed to answer, it went from there). It a part of our story which has been recorded for us,” Bret said.
Seeing the glimmer in your eye looking at your partner at the very beginning is truly a treasure! Renewing your love by seeing where you’ve been — very powerful stuff in a photo!
3. Timeless Happiness before “Happily Ever After”
The wedding day is going to be such a monumental memory in your lives and all those attending to celebrate your eternal love.
Engagement photos give you the opportunity to celebrate your love one-on-one without all the pressure of the time crunch to get the ceremony going and keeping your guests entertained. Just you and your partner, ever so in love, making memories with each glance and smile.
And of course, us recording it all for your personal history book!
Beth Franklin is always touched by the history she sees when looking through her mother’s photos:
“I love looking back at my parents old photos and seeing what everyone looked like and seeing how happy they are. I hope that one day our kids will have the same feelings when they look back on ours.”
Timeless photos don’t just happen on the big day! You’re creating beautiful memories everyday.
Let us not only capture the “I do,” but the moment you said “yes!”
As Bret told us: “Putting a scene to the story can give the moment that little something extra when you tell friends or put a photo book together.”
Let’s talk wedding! Send us a message today! And make sure to follow Kansas City Photography on Facebook!