I learned early in my wedding photography experience that offering your wedding clients an engagement shoot is a win/win for everyone, here are a few reasons why I feel it is so important and beneficial.

1. Get to know each other before your wedding day. 

• Individuals often come to engagement session feeling nervous, anxious, self-conscious, and embarrassed. Once we are all at the session and we begin working together, I slowly see these emotional layers peel away and the couple is able to really let their personalities and love shine for photos. During an engagement shoot we have the time to peel away these layers, get to know each other better, and get a feel for how we work together so that on your wedding day we can jump right in already having a layer of comfort established with one another, allowing us to get the best photos on your wedding day. 

2. Best value for you as the client 

• All wedding clients have the opportunity to book their engagement session with me free of charge! I do this because of the benefit I feel we get to getting to know each other and work together before your wedding day. I want to be able to provide you with and give you the best experience I can - the more time we spend together and work together our relationship is stronger. 

3. Get comfortable in front of the camera

• For many people, having engagement photos taken is the first time they are getting professionally photographed ever or since their senior portrait session. Engagement photos allow you to dip your toes in the water of being photographed. You also will get professional photos after the session to help you determine the poses and angles that you really like of yourself and each other for your wedding day. 

4. Sample the product you have purchased

• Your wedding photography is a big investment. You are signing an individual to capture one of the most special days of your life, without being able to see a sample of what your final photos are going to look like. Your engagement shoot can give you a glimpse of what you have invested in before your wedding. 

5. Professional images to use for wedding planning and at your wedding 

•  Your engagement photos can be the perfect addition for your ‘save the dates’, wedding invites, and for decoration on your wedding day. Having professional images that all have the same style will make for a clean and finished look to your decorations. 
• Pro tip: If you have a theme for your wedding, think of fun creative ways to bring that into your engagement shoot for a few shots so that you can have those photos for your wedding decorations. 

Engagement sessions are so fun and I love getting to spend one on one time with couples during their engagement session. Engagement sessions are a time for us to be creative, try out new poses and props, and get to know each other. I also book engagement photos with couples who have already booked a wedding photographer. If you are looking to have engagement or wedding photos taken, let’s chat! 
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Xoxo, Morgan

As a person who has struggled with a number of mental health issues, becoming a mother did test me mentally and emotionally more than anything else. Postpartum anxiety and depression were both something I had to work through for the 15-months or so after Riley joined us. Daily tasks seemed overwhelming, I barely felt some days I could get out of bed, but yet I did 98% of the days. I did end up seeing a therapist who truly helped me sort out and find myself again in all the hustle and noise that motherhood had brought. Riley also wasn’t the best sleeper and did not sleep through the night until she was a little over a year old, so pure exhaustion began to improve around this time as well. The past three years have truly made me a more complete person. I feel that the transition into motherhood has helped me identify my strengths and flaws and own that. I feel proud of the journey I am on and where I am at. In the past three years I have really learned to give myself grace, to let go of things not serving me, and invest in the things that fuel my spirit. 

Your ceremony overs, you have hugged all your guests (pre-covid) and heard all of their ‘congrats’ - now it is time to do family photos. These are the many combinations of family members with you, the newlyweds, often at the ceremony site or a nearby location. Family photos can be cherished shots to capture in years to come when you look back on who was all their on your special day, but if not planned and prepared for can end up being one of the most unforeseen stressful moments of the day. But do not fret! A couple of simple steps in the planning processes can ensure that family photos are quick, easy, and stress-free! Whew! 

Create your family shot list ahead of time 
One of the pieces that I asked for from all of my wedding couples is a family shot list. This is a list of the different combinations of family members you would like photos with. Thinking of this list ahead of time allows you to create a comprehensive list and to get any other opinions that might be important to you on who is all included in family photos. When the day arrives, your photographer has the list and all you need to do is simple stay in position as the photographer shuffles people in and out to get all of your family photo combinations. 

Consider the order of family combinations 
It can be nice and helpful to plan to do the largest family photos and the photos with elderly and littles early. This gives grandpa and grandma time to rest and recoup before the reception and gets the littles done before they get antsy. Having the large family photos done early is especially nice if you plan to include aunts, uncles, and cousins, if they are not in any other shots they can then head over to the reception sooner.

Assign a louder family member (or close family friends) that knows the people on your list to help the photographer swapped people in and out​
If you have an Aunt Sally that is not afraid to be loud and call out who is up next for photos, this can help the photographer focus on placing people and capturing the shots. If Aunt Sally and your photographer work together, family photos will go a whole lot quicker. 

Tell family in your family photos ahead of time ​
Let all of your family members that are in your family shot list when and where they need to be for family photos. This can help eliminate us from searching for your cousin Bobby or grandpa Joe who left right after the ceremony to head over to the reception. A quick heads up keeps everyone on the same page and ensures everyone is present for family photos when it is time. 

Four simple steps can really make all the difference between family photos taking 20 minutes or an hour. Doing a little work ahead of time and communicating with your family can really make for a better wedding day experience for both you and your loved ones. If you have any questions about planning for your wedding day family photos, let me know! I would love to chat. :)