1. Your wedding photos will be more natural
Unless you are a celebrity, you are not going to be yourself with a camera in your face, at least not at first. You want your wedding photos to capture your beautiful smile, and the special moments between the two of you... not the weird "Chandler-esque" smile your man puts on when he knows someone has a camera pointed at him. (Couldn't resist the Friends reference. Sorry.) Taking engagement pictures allows you to get used to the camera. It usually takes about 30 minutes to an hour for a couple to loosen up, and to start having fun with us; which equals incredibly natuaral photos. If you are on a budget, make sure you are getting your money's worth by being comfortable from the first minute the photographers arrive. When Mike and I show up on the wedding day we are more friends than strangers. Instead of dreading the camera you are going to be confident and.... you might even be looking forward to having your picture taken *gasp!*

2. You get a picture preview
This was a big one when we started looking for our photographer. We know lots of talented photographers, but we really wanted to see how we looked through their lens, and also to see what trends they are currently following. We, personally, wanted really clear, minimally-retouched photos. The first set of engagement pictures we had done were run through filters and purposely blurred. They were great images... they just weren't our style. We would have been disappointed if we had gotten our wedding prints edited in the same way. You don't want to be surprised when you get your prints back, and your photographer's vision was not what you had in mind.

3. You get to "Test Drive" your photographer
The only person you are going to spend more time with on your wedding day other than your soon-to-be-spouse is your photographer. From the moment you start getting dressed to the big send-off at the end the photographer is going to be right there... all day. Make sure you like em! Mike and I make the bride laugh when she's feeling nervous, we don't make sure mom doesn't look stressed out. We want our subjects to be comfortable.. to be themselves. Imagine getting stuck with the most annoying person you've ever met and you have to smile at them for the next 8 hours? With the engagement session you get a chance to test-drive the photographer.

4. Your photographer gets to know you
In this short session your photographer will learn important details about you and your beloved. How you interact with each other, what your individual personalities are, and any little quirks you have. These are the things that are going to make your wedding photos yours. The photographer will know what to watch for during your portrait session, and during the reception, to capture the two of you the way you want to remember it.

5. You get a break from crazy
Whether you take pictures right off the bat, at the 50 yard line, or in the red zone (Brynn is missing football...) you get to take a break from budgeting, picking flowers, tracking down vendors, stuffing envelopes and just spend time with your love. It's like date night on steroids. You get to be all mushy and lovey-dovey and get great keepsakes of those moments. Pick a location that is special to the two of you. Go back to the spot of your first kiss, or first date, or where he proposed. Bring silly props that signify the fun you have together. Go out to dinner after and make sure you order dessert.