4 Benefits Of A Couple's Session

Image by Jonathan Ellis. Read on to learn the benefits of a couple’s session

So you’ve booked a wedding with a new couple, and you’re looking for ways to get to know them better before the big day. While many photographers opt for engagement sessions, this isn’t always an option. Sometimes couples book another photographer or use a family friend to save money. Other times they skip engagement photos altogether.

No matter the situation, we’re big advocates of offering couple’s sessions before your clients’ weddings. Not sure if it’s right for you? We’re breaking down the benefits to help you decide whether or not it’s worth adding to your pricing structure.

1. Help Your Couples Feel More Comfortable

Ensuring that your couples feel comfortable with you will translate into the images you capture of them. Their focus on wedding day should be tying the knot, not worrying about your work. Being able to spend one-on-one time with them before their big day helps you get an understanding of each other so you know exactly what to expect. You’ll learn how they are in front of the camera, what their personalities are like, how they interact with each other, and if they have any photography preferences.

It also gives them the opportunity to warm up to you. Most people aren’t in front of a camera at all times, so there’s likely going to be some jitters. Organizing a couple’s session helps them get those nerves out and build a strong relationship with you so when it’s time to say, “I do,” they’re as cool as a cucumber.

2. Gives Them Photos To Use Throughout Life

Let’s face it, while most of us would love to have professional photos taken with our loved ones all the time for memory’s sake, it doesn’t happen often. Of course the images you’ll capture at the wedding will be beautiful and they’ll want to display them everywhere.

But your couples will greatly appreciate having pictures from one of the happiest times in their lives. They’ll be able to pass these more casual images down through generations and look back at them whenever they please.

Image by Cedric D. Vincent

3. Couple’s Session Allows You To Practice Your Photography

Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve got years under your belt, practicing never hurts. This could be the chance to experiment with different lighting or tools, trying new poses, or heading to a location you’ve never photographed before. Whatever it may be, a couple’s session allows you to try new things without the pressure of a wedding day timeline. It’s where true creativity can come out.

4. Gives Them A Break From Wedding Planning

There’s no denying that wedding planning is stressful. Planning and shooting a couple’s session gives them the chance to unwind and soak in the feeling of love. They’ll appreciate getting back in touch with one another without the looming stress of figuring out seating charts and florals. You’ll be able to capture that connection as they fall in love all over again in front of your lens—this is the most utterly romantic reason.

Image by Autumn Marie Photography

How To Incorporate A Couple’s Session Into Your Pricing

How you incorporate couple’s sessions into your pricing structure is entirely up to you. If it makes more sense for your business to include it as a discounted add-on when they book with you for their wedding, do that. If it’s something that you want to include in your wedding package, go for it. You could also increase the pricing of your wedding package to include that automatically–the choice is yours.

Need help posing your couples in authentic and not-cheesy ways? Check out our posing prompts that will have even the most camera-shy couples feeling carefree.