Engagement sessions are fully optional. Some couples love them, some skip them, both work for us. Here’s what one looks like with GSquared if you decide you want one – and honest answers about whether you actually need one.

What an engagement session with GSquared actually feels like:

First, we’ll send you our engagement session prep guide – clothing tips, location ideas, what to do with your hair, how to include your pets, what to expect. It covers everything I’ve learned from doing hundreds of these.

We’ll pick a location together. Mountains, beach, downtown Seattle, a coffee shop you love, your living room – whatever feels like you. If you’re stuck, I have a long list of favorite spots and I’ll send recommendations based on what you’re into.

On the day, we’ll meet at the location. I’ll guide you into moments instead of barking poses (most people aren’t trained models, and a little direction makes everyone feel comfortable). We’ll talk while we work. We’ll let you breathe. We’ll play music if you want.

You’ll get sneak peeks within a few days. Your full gallery within four to six weeks – delivered through a private online gallery you can share with family and download from.

That’s it. Two hours, ish. No high-pressure performance. Just you, your person, and us with cameras.

Do you NEED to have an engagement session?

Honest answer: probably not.

I’ll do an engagement session happily if you want one. I’ll also tell you straight: most couples who skip them are completely fine. Most couples who do them are also fine. It’s not a make-or-break wedding planning decision, no matter what the industry says.

Reasons couples I’ve worked with chose to do one:

– They wanted practice in front of the camera before the wedding day
– They wanted nicer photos than what their phones could give them for save-the-dates or holiday cards
– They wanted an excuse to dress up and have a date night together
– They were nervous about being photographed and wanted to meet us before the wedding

Reasons couples chose to skip:

– They felt comfortable enough already (no practice needed)
– They’d rather put the budget toward something else for the wedding day
– They were already busy with planning and didn’t want one more thing on the list
– They don’t love being photographed and didn’t want to do it twice

All of those reasons are valid. Read them and pick whichever side feels like yours. We’ll go from there.