Why you should have a pre wedding photo shoot before your wedding...

A pre wedding shoot, also called a pre-nuptial photo shoot or engagement shoot, is a photo session for a couple about to get married, that takes place any time before the wedding day, usually up to a few weeks or even months before. 

Why is it important? A lot of couples find it difficult to pose before the camera. Some couples are so shy and uncomfortable in front of a camera, they end up with poor wedding photos. To avoid this, the couple should be exposed to the photographer before the ceremony. I remember a certain couple whose wedding we were privileged to handle some months back. I learnt from the pre wedding shoot that the grooms eyes were extremely sensitive to the bright camera flash light. However by the end of the shoot, he had gotten used to it and on the wedding day, they were both quite comfortable with  all the lights and poses and photographers directions.

For me, a pre-wedding shoot is also an opportunity to tell a love story in photographs in a very artistic manner. Most couples certainly have a lot of photographs of the two of them together but they aren’t usually so nice because they are usually taken without planning or a good camera. 

The idea is to produce a set of photos that are casual yet beautiful and which give the viewer a feel of the special connection between the couple. Some pre wedding shoots are very artistic, where a lot of effort is made to creatively tell a story of their relationship or explicitly express emotion. Different props can be used to convey a message e.g. flowers, rings, favorite books, umbrellas, hand written signs etc. Others are simple and casual. It really depends on the personalities of the couple.

A pre wedding shoot is also important because benefits the couple, and benefits the photographer as well. How? Pre wedding shoots boost the confidence of the couple. The photographer also benefits from this photo session because it gives him/her the opportunity to know the couple a bit better and learn how they both do in front of a camera.

The photo session can be done any place the couple chooses, whether it is at home or in a photo studio. Many couples prefer to have these photos taken in places that are important to them, the place where they met, for instance, or where they feel the most romantic. A pre wedding shoot can be done in a day at several locations usually requiring a change of clothing, or over a number of days.

When planning for a pre wedding shoot, a couple and their photographer should feel free to get as creative or as crazy as they like, and come up with nice ideas or locations for the shoot.

These photos will be a tribute to a pairs last days as an unmarried couple and they can be used in a variety of ways. For instance some of the pictures can be shared with friends and families to use on wedding souvenirs and calendars. Some of the photos can be used for invites on social media like Facebook, wedding sites and blogs. Some photos can be used for a photo slideshow during the wedding reception to entertain guests. The pictures can even be included in the wedding album to give it a unique feel. 

Finally, a pre wedding shoot is a nice time for two lovebirds to have easy fun with each other. It is a time to unwind and relax from work and wedding preparations. 

These photos were taken during a recent pre wedding shoot in Abuja for a very special couple. I hope you enjoyed viewing them as much as I enjoyed taking them. Feel free to share this post with friends, especially with anyone you know is getting married soon.

(And for those preparing for a wedding, feel free to call us up for a pre wedding shoot, even if we aren't your official wedding photographers...) Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter or email: cognitostudios@gmail.com.

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