What is it with engagement shoots?

Chris H

OK, I'm not a wedding photographer but I have to ask......being a Brit, what is it with these engagement shoots? It's not something we do over here.

I dropped on one knee, asked, she said yes, job done. A year later and we're married. The wedding cost a small fortune, a large portion of which was a photographer. The thought of having to shell out extra to have a photographer capture us looking all lovey dovey in a park would have filled me with dread.

I suspect it's tradition over there, I just hope it doesn't catch on over here because there's no way I'm paying for my daughter's engagement shoot in 20-30 years!

Cheers
Chris:rolleyes

JustPlainMe

My husband did the same thing---sat down in the sand, proposed, slipped an economical ring on my finger. We went back to work, got married a year later.

It's been almost 15 years since I was engaged, and my husband and I were without much money, doing our wedding completely on our own, the whole thing for $500. We didn't have a wedding photographer, I don't have any pictures from our wedding . . .

That said, where I live today, everyone is having these engagement shoots, and engagement parties, and engagement showers . . . then wedding photos, wedding parties, wedding showers . . . weddings in my group of friends are not lavish, but regardless, between the e-events and the wedding events, those thousands and thousands of dollars could well be spent---or saved---on much more practical, long-term things. You're out $10,000 or $20,000 in one day, and that is a good downpayment on a starter home, or money in the bank for a rainy day. If I could do it again, I would spend money on the wedding photographer---I think that is the one really worthy extravagance.

It's a mystery.

Sarah

Blurmore

Maybe it is a uniquely American thing. Couples here like to display pictures of themselves at their wedding with a matte that guests sign, or they make slideshows, or give e-pics as gifts, or as art for STD cards. I personally include them in my upper level package because it is my opportunity to "train" the couple, and get to know them before the big day. If they understand how I give direction, then everything goes much smoother. If I tell them how to put their heads when they kiss, they get a better first kiss picture. From what I've seen in the UK, there are a lot less photographers shooting weddings, and the studios are much stuck in the late 80's so far as how they sell, book and provide coverage. Competition in the US for weddings is VERY healthy, and photographers have to distinguish themselves from each other, and really work the niche that they fit into.

zoomer

It prolongs the experience and it is a lot of fun. People like to see the engagement pics at the wedding. It is hard to get the fun romantic pics at the wedding you can get in the engagement shoot because of the clothing, which greatly restricts what you can do.

Moogle Pepper

I agree with what Zoomer and Blurmore said!

eSessions also allow the couples to get to know the photographer, if they are using the same photographer for the wedding. It helps with having better photographs, if both sides know each other, how each other interacts and that sort.

It also adds to the story of their lives as well.

MA-FOTO

What i find interesting is the young Asian crowd is starting to do the same thing.
When i travel to Taiwan or Malaysia - i am seeing more and more couples have e-sessions.
Now it is not on the same level as the USA.....

+1 on previously members thoughts.

Later,
_Mark

Chris H

It's a good point about getting to know a photographer before the big day (I guess it also helps lock them in for an almost certain additional pay day). We went on a recommendation from a friend, and thankfully it was fine. Though I didn't know them or really want to get to know them, reportage was the order of the day, I'd rather not know they were there.

Personally I think it's an extravegance, but if it's the done thing then trying to pursued an excited 'wife to be' that it's not necessary could see the whole thing cancelled before it's even started!

Hats off to the wedding photographers though, it's not something I have the balls for. At least mountains, lochs, buildings and plants don't move when you shoot them, or tell you your work is rubbish when you're done.:D

Chris

cj99si

Exactly, I use it to get to know the couple and for them to be comfortable with the camera around them . Its part of most packages and doesnt really even add that much money, sometimes none. The couples use them for invitations, put them on the wall..... ect. We have an engagement photo framed on the wall from about 10 years ago. My last enagement shoot actually got me 2 new weddings this year

DarosK

I don't really want to complain because extravagant e-shoots put food on the table for lots of photographers ~ but when I first saw albums of posed engagement photos etc I was pretty confused. Part of it was I grew up in a conservative family where physical contact with the opposite gender before marriage (and at times, even after marriage) was considered taboo, and so I cringed at seeing some of these intimate poses. I think a big part of it was just that culture shock.

I agree with a lot of points that have already been made in the thread:

- Couple gets to know the photographer
- More opportunities for shots that require more, ahem, 'flexibility'
- Lets the couple 'practice' posing
- It's probably a cultural thing
- It's fun!

But in the end, my opinion is that it's an extravagance - an extravagance that is becoming increasingly popular with the younger generation outside of just America, as Mark mentioned.

I have a lot of strong opinions on that matter alone - but I don't think this is the thread to unload that onto

jeffreaux2

...AND....

-Engagements are "announced" in local newspapers. Usually a more conservatively posed shot is used to go in the newspaper with the engagement announcement.

Places brides have used engagement photos other than the paper?

- Small framed prints on all the tables at the reception

- Larger framed prints on the table alongside the guest book

- Digital files used by the videographer to create a video/photo DVD at a rehearsal supper.

- If it's good enough...as fine art, framed for the new couple's home.

The best thing is getting to know the couple, as often it is my first face to face meeting with them.

KTLew

I did...
I didn't have an engagement party, to me that is just asking for more gifts! I did, however, have an engagement shoot because it was included in my package from my photographer. Many photographers in my area are including them in all their wedding packages. My photographer even includes a 5 picture portfolio to display on a table at the wedding. We displayed ours next to our guest book. It included an 8x10 and 4 4x4's....

Mishka

As it's been said before--there are a lot of great reasons for the engagement shoot. It's something I actually do include with my packages so I can get to know my clients better and offer additional prints, albums, etc.

I still have some of my own engagement photos around the house...

Plus...they're fun to shoot! I'm just about to post another...

fcorin13

I think they are a little more than just a "trend", but not as established as other types of pictures. I personally offer them as part of my package. I include the session, one 5x7 print, and I will provide a digital file directly to a newspaper for their announcement (that way they don"t get the digital file, but their picture still looks great! I now also have a few contacts at newspapers!) I have only once not had the couple purchase additional prints (I just offer them at my ala carte prices).

It really helps me become familiar with the couple and helps them to have confidence in me. It is an opportunity to see how well we work together. I have had one couple who, after the e-session, decided to go with another photographer. (I was actually relieved because she was turning out to be a bridezilla & I really did not want to do their wedding!) It is typically their first "official" pictures together. I think that many e-sessions are a little too "sexy", but that is what a lot of couples want. (It may have to do with the lean towards sexy in all wedding-related things.) I tend to be a bit more conservative in my e-sessions (more playful than "sexy") than a lot of other photogs.

I have had many couples purchase the digital files to use on invitations or decorations. One bride bought 2 11x14s & a 16x20 to use as decorations then she planned to display them above her couch (she thought they would be more timeless than ones of her in her wedding dress). I think it is more about the trend toward "personalization" that is present in America right now. Besides, yeah, I am not complaining about extra income!

mmmatt

As has already been said it is a great way to get to know your clients both personally and how best to pose/shoot them. I include it in all my packages but only if they pay a 50% retainer vs my mandatory 25% retainer. Adds value to my packages and I shoot them on days that I would otherwise not be shooting. I just started that this year and it is working out well for me.

Matt

W.W. Webster

Chris H wrote:

I have to ask......being a Brit, what is it with these engagement shoots? It's not something we do over here.

The same question can be asked about so-called "senior shoots". So the kid moves on from secondary education - so what?

Chris H

Jeff, beautiful photos there. Again I'm somewhat in awe of what you guys can do. In my eyes shooting people in a live situation with only one chance of getting it right requires far more skill than what I do.

I've no doubt e-shoots will catch on over here at some point, we usually end up following your lead (rightly or wrongly!!). If I was a wedding photographer I'd be on the case right now.

South Shore Snapshots

W.W. Webster wrote:

The same question can be asked about so-called "senior shoots". So the kid moves on from secondary education - so what?

Good point there.

Here, in southern Ontario Canada, it is common for a couple to do engagement photos as part of their wedding photo package. My wife and I were married ten years ago this summer and we did it. I felt a bit goofy the whole time, but whatever. We used the photos for our newspaper notice and a few other odds and ends, but pretty much they just sit in their small little album and collect dust.

I mean once you have bills, a mortgage, a career, and of course kids, who the heck remembers what it was like to be "just" engaged anyway, lol?

Chris H

South Shore Snapshots wrote:

I mean once you have bills, a mortgage, a career, and of course kids, who the heck remembers what it was like to be "just" engaged anyway, lol?

Quite. But try telling that to an excited wife to be at the time!:argue:beatwax:boid:grim

elizabeth_Luna

jeffreaux2 wrote:

...AND....

-Engagements are "announced" in local newspapers. Usually a more conservatively posed shot is used to go in the newspaper with the engagement announcement.

Places brides have used engagement photos other than the paper?

- Small framed prints on all the tables at the reception

- Larger framed prints on the table alongside the guest book

- Digital files used by the videographer to create a video/photo DVD at a rehearsal supper.

- If it's good enough...as fine art, framed for the new couple's home.

The best thing is getting to know the couple, as often it is my first face to face meeting with them.

Wow Jeff love your work!!

But yeah to answer your question me personally - I love engagement sessions because it allows me to get to know the bride and groom establish relationship with them because that's what matters to me not just there business. I offer this in all my packages its a must IMO - I respect the folks that opt to do it but I explain to them why.

But yeah it feels better comes there wedding day that I meet friends and not complete strangers

Agnieszka

Moogle Pepper wrote:

I agree with what Zoomer and Blurmore said!

eSessions also allow the couples to get to know the photographer, if they are using the same photographer for the wedding. It helps with having better photographs, if both sides know each other, how each other interacts and that sort.

It also adds to the story of their lives as well.

+1 ... in addition to that, I'm sure some years down the road my couples will look back and be glad to have some professional, non wedding pics in their album!

Moogle Pepper

Agnieszka wrote:

+1 ... in addition to that, I'm sure some years down the road my couples will look back and be glad to have some professional, non wedding pics in their album!

Even photos with the fly down...