I will never forget my experience having engagement photos done with my fiancé. As someone who typically chooses to stay behind the camera, I was incredibly nervous to be in front of it. Not just for engagement photos, but for our wedding day, too. The phrases I hear on the regular as a photographer such as “I don’t know how to look in photos” or “I’m so awkward” were coming straight from my mouth this time. NEWS FLASH - the majority of people feel that way!! (EVEN your photographer)So to all of my couples who’ve said those words to me: you’re not alone in the discomfort that can be triggered by the thought of “posing” for the camera. 


But when we arrived to our session and met our photographer, we ended up having the BEST time. And it was all thanks to our photographer and the experience that she gave us. (Kenzie Gates - I’m talkin’ to you, girl. You da best.) She instantly eased our nerves, joked with us continuously, kept us moving the entire time, and made us feel like straight royalty. By the time we got to our wedding day, she felt like a friend who was there to celebrate with us, and the pressure for us to perfectly pose or smile was off. (peep our engagement photo below, courtesy of Kenzie Gates)

A couple sits together on coastal rocks at the beach in black and white photography.
Close up black and white portrait of couple sharing intimate moment.
A couple standing on rocky shoreline holds hands in romantic black and white photo.

That experience was enough for me to decide that I would include engagement sessions with all of my wedding packages, indefinitely. I HIGHLY encourage all of my couples to take full advantage of the complimentary engagement session included in their package!! This session is not only a chance to get some additional fun photos to hang on your wall or send with your save-the-dates (who wouldn’t want that??), but it’s also a chance for you to get in front of my camera before your big day. Your photographer will be by your side for more of your wedding day than any other vendor. And not only by you, but by you with a camera. You wouldn’t want that person to be a total stranger, right?? It’s also a great opportunity for me to get to know YOU, your likes and dislikes, how you interact with each other, and find that sweet spot for capturing your authentic love.  


So be sure to schedule that session!! It’s a free service that comes with your package, and will give you and your partner a sense of ease and familiarity when the moment comes to snap the photos that’ll pass through the hands of generations to come.

A couple walks hand in hand along a scenic beach with cliffs in the background.
A joyful embrace between a couple on the beach during sunset.
An intimate black and white portrait of a couple sharing a romantic moment.
A couple laughing together on the beach during their engagement photoshoot.
A couple runs playfully along the shoreline during their beach photoshoot.
A black and white close-up of two hands clasped together against a bright background.
A couple celebrates on the beach with champagne at sunset.
Romantic silhouette of couple embracing on misty beach.
A black and white photo of a couple popping champagne on the beach.
Joyful couple laughing together by the water during sunset photoshoot.
Intimate couple shares tender moment with champagne on a beach at sunset.
Couple laying in grass sharing intimate moment during sunset.
Black and white portrait of couple lying together in field.
Couple laughing together while lying in grassy field.
Intimate black and white photo of couple embracing on beach.