Why I offer an engagement shoot to my couples

May has come and with it the amazing light that floods Lisbon. I have a few engagement photoshoots this month which leaves me very excited to finally meet the couples I'll be photographing later in the year.

I know this is rather a hot topic but I gift a photoshoot to every couple that hires me to photograph their wedding. No extra fees, no fine print. More than a gift, it's an essential part of how I work, and it’s something I truly believe adds real value to your wedding experience.

And there are a couple reasons as to why that works for me:

1. It’s a chance to connect before the big day.

Your wedding is a fast-paced, full of emotion and once-in-a-lifetime moments, huge day. Having a solid connection with your photographer before the wedding day makes a huge difference. During your engagement session, we get to know each other in a relaxed, no-pressure setting, and it turns the wedding day into a reunion. You no longer have a stranger coming to your day - you have me.

2. It allows me to see how the couple acts around each other.

I can study what kind of couple you are, what works and what doesn't. Are you super touchy and cuddly? Or maybe you love to chat and laugh but not so much into PDA? Are you more nervous and need a lot of direction? Or you just want to be left alone and do your thing? What kind of poses, angles, and environment works best?

Knowing this allows me to work better on the big day. I can now have a 15 minutes shoot, instead of needing to take you away hours from the party, and I don't really have to stress about the shoot on the big day.

3. You'll feel more comfortable in front of the camera.

Most people don't love to be photographed. An engagement shoot gives you the chance to ease into the process, learn some tips and tricks, and get comfortable being yourselves in front of the lens. By the time your wedding arrives, you’ll already know what's like to photograph with me. PLUS (!!) you'll already have seen yourself photographed by me.

4. You'll have beautiful photos of the two of you to use before and after the wedding.

I mean... This goes without saying, but you'll walk away from our fun time together, with some cute photos of the two of you! I insist on having a photoshoot that represents your relationship. Wether you want to go have your typical sunday date, have a walk in the park, or a swim at the beach, there are no expectations as to what an "engagement shoot" should be.

5. It builds trust.

And this is so important to me.

I don't want you to feel like you’re hiring a stranger to follow you around on one of the most emotional days of your life. I want you to feel like you’re inviting someone you know and trust.That kind of comfort leads to natural, honest, vulnerable moments — the kind that makes your wedding gallery truly special.

So yeah... These are the reasons why I include a free engagement shoot with every wedding booking — not because I have to, but because I believe in the experience it creates. It’s the beginning of a story we’re telling together, and I want to start it in the best way possible.