(And the Story of J & L)
If you're looking for a Surrey wedding photographer, Hampshire wedding photographer, or planning a wedding anywhere across the UK, you've probably come across photographers who include engagement sessions—and others who don't.
As a relaxed, storytelling wedding photographer, every wedding collection I offer includes a complimentary engagement session. Here's why I believe it's one of the most valuable parts of your entire wedding experience.
Every wedding collection I offer includes a complimentary engagement session. Not because I think every couple needs engagement photos (although they're always lovely to have!), but because I genuinely believe they make your wedding day so much better. For most couples, it's the first time they've ever had professional photos taken together. There's often that little voice wondering, "What do we do with our hands?" or "We're so awkward in front of the camera."
The truth is, almost every couple says that before we meet.
An engagement session gives us the chance to get rid of those nerves long before your wedding day. You get to see how I work, realize that you don't need to know how to pose, and discover that the best photographs come when you're simply enjoying each other's company. By the time your wedding arrives, I'm no longer a stranger with a camera. We've already spent time together, you've learnt to trust my guidance, and being photographed feels natural instead of intimidating. That means less time worrying about photos and more time soaking up every moment of your day.
There's another reason I love including engagement sessions that often gets overlooked.
It's the first time I get to see you together.
Every couple has their own rhythm. Some are constantly laughing, some are quieter and naturally affectionate, some love to dance around together, and others are happiest wrapped up in a hug watching the sunset. Those little things are impossible to learn through emails or questionnaires.
Your engagement session gives me the chance to understand who you are as a couple. I learn what makes you laugh, how you naturally interact, whether you're adventurous and playful or slow and sentimental. That means when your wedding day arrives, I already know how to photograph you in a way that feels authentic instead of trying to figure it out on the spot.
It also gives you a chance to tell me what you love—and what you don't.
Maybe there's an angle you always prefer, or you know one of you blinks a lot when laughing. Perhaps after the session you realise you love walking shots but aren't keen on standing still. Those are all things I can carry into your wedding day, meaning your gallery feels even more like you.
For me, it's never about practising poses. It's about building trust.
Because when your wedding day comes, I don't want you wondering who the photographer is. I want you to feel like there's a friendly face arriving who already knows you, knows your family dynamics, understands what moments matter most, and knows how to help you relax.
And honestly? That's when the magic happens.
The photos become less about the camera and more about the two of you simply enjoying one of the biggest days of your lives.
Let's talk about a recent couple I took on.
J&L are the perfect example of why I believe so strongly in this process.
When they first got in touch, they weren't looking for an engagement session—they were looking for someone to rescue what had become an incredibly stressful situation.
They'd booked a photographer over a year earlier and thought everything was sorted. Then, just eight weeks before the wedding, they received the news no couple wants to hear: their photographer could no longer photograph their day. Without a formal contract in place, there was very little they could do.
Understandably, they weren't just looking for beautiful photographs anymore. They were looking for reassurance. They wanted to know they wouldn't be left in that position again. They needed someone organised, communicative and genuinely invested in making sure the rest of their wedding planning felt smooth.
We spoke the very next day. By the end of our consultation call, they knew exactly how I worked, what support they'd receive and what the next few weeks would look like. Contracts were signed later that afternoon, their engagement session was booked, we built their wedding timeline together, and as I write this we're about to have our final planning call just two weeks before they say "I do."
The thing they've said to me most throughout this process isn't about the photographs. It's that I've taken so much stress off their shoulders. To me, that's every bit as important as the gallery they'll receive afterwards.
Looking back, their engagement session wasn't just about creating beautiful photographs. It was where we built trust. By the time their wedding arrived, we already knew each other. They knew exactly how I worked, I'd already learnt how they naturally interacted together, and there wasn't a single awkward moment when I arrived on the morning of the wedding. That's exactly why I include engagement sessions in every wedding collection—they help create a smoother, calmer wedding day and photographs that genuinely feel like you.
Looking for a Wedding Photographer?
If you're planning your wedding and you're searching for a wedding photographer in Surrey, Hampshire, West Sussex or anywhere across the UK, I'd love to hear your plans.
I believe wedding photography should be so much more than beautiful images. It should be a relaxed, enjoyable experience where you feel supported from your very first enquiry until your final gallery is delivered.
If that sounds like the kind of experience you're looking for, I'd love to invite you to book a free discovery call. It's a relaxed, no-pressure chat where we'll talk about your plans, your vision for the day, and whether we're the right fit for one another.
After our call, I'll send over my full wedding information guide with everything you need to know about working together.
I can't wait to hear your story!
