Do You Need an Engagement Session If You Hate Photos?
Short answer?
Yes. Yes. A thousand times yes.
And I say that as someone who has worked with countless couples who told me upfront that they hated photos — especially grooms who were convinced the entire session would be awkward and painful. Spoiler alert: those are usually the couples who end the session saying, “Okay… that was actually way more fun than I expected.” Here’s why engagement sessions are such a game-changer if you don’t love being in front of the camera.
Engagement Sessions Help Break the Ice
The biggest reason people hate photos isn’t because they’re “bad at them.” It’s because:
They don’t know what to do with their hands
They feel stiff or overly aware of the camera
They’ve never been professionally photographed before
An engagement session gives you a low-pressure environment to get used to all of that before the wedding day. You get to:
Learn how I guide and prompt you
Get comfortable with movement instead of stiff posing
Realize that you don’t have to perform or act a certain way
By the end of the session, most couples have completely forgotten about the camera.
You Learn What Works (and What Doesn’t)
Every couple is different. Some people love walking photos. Some prefer standing still. Some feel awkward with close-up prompts but shine during playful movement. An engagement session lets us:
Figure out which poses feel natural to you
Skip anything that feels forced
Lean into what actually looks and feels like you
That means on your wedding day, we’re not experimenting — we’re refining.
Wedding Day Confidence Is the Real Win
One of the biggest benefits of an engagement session happens after the session is over. On the wedding day:
You already know what to expect
You trust the process
You don’t panic when portraits start
Instead of thinking, “Oh no, here come the photos,” you’re able to relax into the moment — which is when the best, most natural images happen.
It Turns “I Hate Photos” Into “That Was Actually Fun”
This is something I hear all the time, especially from grooms: “I thought I was going to hate that… but that was actually really fun.”
Engagement sessions aren’t about creating stiff, overly posed images. They’re about giving you space to be yourselves, connect with each other, and ease into the experience together. And if you can feel comfortable during an engagement session? Your wedding day photos feel so much easier.
Final Thoughts
If you hate photos, an engagement session isn’t something to avoid — it’s the best preparation you can give yourself. Think of it as a practice run that:
Builds confidence
Removes pressure
Makes your wedding day feel familiar instead of intimidating
And honestly? Most couples end up walking away with photos they genuinely love — even if they never expected to.