I honestly think one of the biggest misconceptions about engagement photos is that you need to know how to pose, act, or somehow magically be “good” in front of a camera for them to turn out well.

And truly… you don’t.

Recently, one of my couples told me that capturing their connection authentically was the MOST important thing to them when it came to their wedding photos. Which honestly made me so happy because same!!! That’s the whole goal.

But it also got me thinking about how creating natural engagement photos is kind of a two-way street.

Not in a stressful way. You absolutely do not need to perform or show up as perfectly polished versions of yourselves. But the couples who end up loving their engagement photos the most are usually the ones who let themselves actually settle into the experience instead of focusing on “doing it right.”

Because natural engagement photos don’t really come from perfect posing.

They come from comfort. Trust. Interaction. Movement. Presence. Letting yourselves laugh a little. Forgetting about the camera for a second. Focusing more on each other than on what your hands are doing.

And that’s a HUGE reason why I include engagement sessions in every wedding collection.

Engagement Sessions Help Us Get Comfortable Together

From our very first conversation, one of my biggest goals is for my couples to feel like they’re hanging out with a friend…not showing up to meet a stranger holding a camera on one of the biggest days of their lives.

Your engagement session gives us a chance to actually get to know each other before the wedding day.

You get to see how I guide you, how little you need to worry about posing, and how the session really feels. And I get to learn more about you two — your dynamic, your personalities, what naturally makes you laugh, what kinds of prompts bring out the best reactions from you.

All of that helps your wedding photos feel even more natural later on because there’s already trust there.

Natural Engagement Photos Happen When You Feel Relaxed

As much as I LOVE wedding days, they naturally come with nerves, timelines, emotions, family dynamics, and approximately 500 things happening at once.

Engagement sessions are different.

They’re slower. More intentional. More laid back.

You can wander around your favorite place together, grab coffee afterward, bring your dog, sit in the grass for a picnic, or honestly just spend time together without the pressure of a wedding timeline hanging over you.

And I truly think there’s something really special about documenting couples outside of wedding attire too.

Your relationship exists in everyday life, not just on your wedding day.

They’re About More Than Save the Dates

YES, engagement photos are amazing for save the dates, wedding websites, guest books, decor at the wedding, and all of those practical things.

But honestly, I think their biggest value is the experience itself.

It’s a chance to practice slowing down together before the wedding day.

To figure out what kinds of photos feel the most like you. To realize you don’t need to stiffly smile at the camera the entire time. To learn that the best photos usually happen in the in-between moments anyway.

A lot of couples leave their engagement session saying some version of:
“Wait… that was actually really fun.”

And honestly? That makes me SO happy every single time.

The Best Photos Happen When You Lean Into the Experience

I always tell my couples this: your job is not to perform for the camera.

Your job is just to show up as yourselves.

That’s why I always encourage couples to:

• choose locations that actually mean something to them
• make a date day out of their session
• wear clothes they genuinely feel comfortable in
• bring an activity they love
• choose a setting that matches their comfort level
• focus on each other instead of trying to look “perfect”

The more connected and present you feel during your session, the more your photos will actually reflect your relationship.

And at the end of the day… THAT is what makes photos feel timeless.

Not perfect posing. Not trendy Pinterest shots. Not forcing moments that don’t feel natural.

Just you two, exactly as you are in this season of life.

Why I Include Engagement Sessions in Every Wedding Collection

I honestly can’t imagine not including them.

Beyond the photos themselves, engagement sessions help build trust, comfort, and connection before the wedding day ever arrives. And that changes everything.

By the time your wedding comes around, you already know:

• you don’t need to stress about posing
• you can trust me fully
• being perfect isn’t the goal
• the best moments usually happen naturally

And that comfort allows you to be so much more present on your wedding day too.

Want More Tips for Natural Engagement Photos?

I put together a free guide with some of my biggest tips for creating engagement photos that actually feel natural and true to your relationship, from choosing meaningful locations, to planning a date-day before your session, to picking outfits that feel comfortable and you.

I also talk through ways to feel less awkward in front of the camera, how to choose locations that fit your comfort level, and why bringing an activity can make your session feel way more candid and fun!

Download the free guide here!