"Pre-wedding shoot" is a term you'll probably come across a lot when you're looking at wedding photographers, and it can sometimes seem a little vague as to what it actually is. Well don't worry, I'm here to unveil the mystery and let you know exactly what they are, why you should do them, and give you some tips to follow so you get the most out of them! So without any more time wasting, lets get right into it!

What is a pre-wedding shoot?

It might sound like a daft question, but I think the term is thrown around a lot and if you're not a big follower of all wedding-related things, it might be a term that makes no sense. A pre-wedding shoot is basically when you meet up with your photographer before the wedding and take some photos together. Some photographers might refer to this as an "engagement shoot" or even just a "couple shoot". They're all basically the same thing!

Why should you bother having one?

On the surface, you might initially ask "what's the point in even having a pre-wedding shoot?". It's a good question! It might seem like there's not much benefit to having a photo session together when you're going to have another one in a few months time, when you're all dressed up in your fancy wedding wear! But that's actually exactly why you should have one. Think of it as a "test run". A chance to get all that awkwardness out. An opportunity to get used to the camera circling around you. I'm not going to lie, at first it'll probably feel a little weird. But I promise you that weirdness will turn into fun and it will be absolutely nowhere near as bad as you think!

Another major reason for getting one is getting the chance to work alongside your photographer. Having face to face meetings is great, you can definitely build a relationship and work perfectly well from there, but going that extra step to actually have a run through of how you will work together can really put your mind at rest for the big day. Seeing how they deal with any awkwardness or anxiety around getting your photo taken can really make a difference to your attitude towards it, and being able to see the results at the end before your actual wedding photographs can really make you feel at ease when it comes to trusting your photographer!

I find it's a really good way to properly see what a photographer has to offer (which is why I offer all couples who enquire a chance to do a short, free pre-wedding shoot before they've decided on their photographer).

OK, I'm having a pre-wedding shoot. What now?

So you've got a date booked with your photographer - great! I'm going to give you a few tips which will make you get the most out of your shoot. Don't worry, they're not elaborate or difficult, but considering them before you go along to have your photos taken will maximise your results!

1. Dress for success

We're not talking ball gowns and top hats here, but be mindful of what you're going to wear. You might have a favourite hoodie, but does it have a curry stain on it? Wear clothes that make you feel comfortable but you wont look back on and think "I wish I'd put on something a bit more photogenic". As much as this is a practice run for your wedding, treat it the same way you would if you were getting a professional portrait done (because, well, you are!).

2.Collaborate!

It's not about being bossed around by your photographer! If you have an idea, see somewhere at the location you like, or want to try something - tell them! Wedding photography is a partnership, and working together to get the very best results should be encouraged!

3. Lean in to the awkwardness!

For around 90% of the couples that book me, at least one of them will say "I'm going to be your worst nightmare, I hate having my photograph taken!". I'm going to tell you a secret - so do I! Meeting somewhere public to get your photograph taken can be a bit unnerving, I totally get it! But here's the thing - if you hate getting your photo taken, there's no quick fix or industry secret to magically make you love it. The absolute best thing to do is embrace it. Stare hard into your partner's eyes, keep a straight face for as long as you can, and then burst out laughing at the absurdity of it all. You'll be talking to each other about how daft it feels, and all along your photographer will have been snapping away. I guarantee you that there will be some shots in there of you smiling away that you will absolutely love!

4. Talk about your wedding day!

 Use this opportunity to have a "meeting" with your photographer about your day. We love to talk all things wedding and giving us a clearer picture of your plans will help us get to know you better, and we can even give you some advice if we can! Use our expertise to your advantage

5. Have fun!

OK this always seems like a cop-out on a list, and I always roll my eyes when I see it, but in this case I really mean it! Make a day of it, travel somewhere different for it, look up somewhere nice to have lunch after it! Not all wedding planning should be stressful and dramatic, so allow yourself to enjoy the day and get excited about seeing the resulting photographs after.

So there you have it! I hope this has opened your mind a little bit to the fact that pre-wedding shoots are much, much more than just a few photos before the big day. So many of the couples that book me rave about them, and are so happy they took the time to do one!

If you're looking for a wedding photographer and would like to try out a pre-shoot for yourself, head over to my contact page with a few details about your day and we can arrange one. I look forward to embracing your awkwardness and creating beautiful images together!