Do You Need an Engagement Session? 5 Real Reasons It’s Worth It

newly engaged couple looking lovingly at each other

A quick myth‑buster to start: an engagement session isn’t only the “down‑on‑one‑knee” moment (although it can be).

For most couples, it’s a relaxed pre‑wedding shoot—time together in a place you love, with natural, flattering photographs you’ll actually use.

You absolutely don’t have to do one. But if you’re on the fence, here are the top five reasons our couples tell us it was worth it.

1) Shake off camera nerves (practice makes relaxed)

Even confident people tense up when a large lens appears. An engagement session helps you:

Feel how simple and un‑posed good photos can be.
See which angles, light and prompts suit you both.
Learn the tiny cues (“chin here”, “turn into the light”) that make portraits quick and comfortable on the wedding day.

Our approach: we keep it documentary and unobtrusive—think walk, talk, laugh, pause in good light. In the in‑between moments (the real ones) we’ll show you just how photogenic you are.

2) Build trust with the person who’ll be with you all day

You’ll spend more time with your photographer than almost anyone else on your wedding day. Meeting beforehand means:

You know our voice, energy and rhythm.
We learn your preferences (close‑ups vs wider frames, how you naturally stand together).
On the day, portraits feel like a quick catch‑up, not a photoshoot.

3) Create personal images for invites, your website & on‑the‑day details

There’s a surprising amount of design in a wedding. Engagement photos work brilliantly for:

Save‑the‑dates and invitations
Your wedding website (About Us banner, RSVP page)
Guest book, table signage, seating plan and thank‑you cards
Framed prints for home (and parents!)

We’ll help you choose locations and a time of day that match your colours and vibe.

4) A relaxed space to talk through the plan

We can plan on email, but in person we hear the nuance—what matters most, where you want extra time, and the shots you’ll treasure. The session is a perfect moment to:

Sketch your timeline around best light and travel.
Chat through family groups and any sensitivities.
Scout or sanity‑check a nearby spot for golden‑hour portraits.

5) Celebrate this chapter (quietly or loudly)

Whether you’re private souls or proud extroverts, documenting this short season is special. Keep it low‑key—coffee, coastal walk, South Downs at sunset—or style it up. Either way, you’re making memories that aren’t in wedding clothes (and that’s lovely to look back on).

So…do you need one?

No—if budget or time says “not now,” skip it with zero guilt. Alternatives:

Add a 15‑minute mini‑session after your ceremony or at golden hour.
Do a post‑wedding session in a favourite place when life is calmer.

If you are tempted, we think you’ll be glad you did.

What to expect with us

60–90 minutes, one location (two if close), easy walking.
Suggestions across Chichester, the South Downs & coast; we’ll time it for good light. Chichester Cathedral has some beautiful locations all around it for couples sessions, or a walk in the woods at a national park Kingly Vale, there's something for all.
Wardrobe tips: simple, comfortable, colours that complement—nothing matchy‑matchy.
Rain plan ready; we’ll watch the forecast and pivot if needed.
Private online gallery with high‑res downloads (personal print rights) in ~2 weeks.

Next step: want location ideas or a sample gallery? Check our packages, browse the portfolio, or check availability for your date by messaging us here