Before the big day, there’s a step that’s often overlooked but incredibly valuable: the engagement session. This moment for two, away from the hustle of preparations, creates a bubble of intimacy, connection, and trust. As a wedding photographer between Nîmes and Montpellier, I’ll explain why this session can truly enhance your experience… and your memories.
What is an engagement session?
The engagement session is a photo shoot done a few weeks or months before the wedding. It takes place in a location chosen together — often outdoors, somewhere that feels meaningful to you. It’s a moment just for the two of you, without stress or pressure.
Unlike the photos taken on your wedding day, this session captures your couple in a calm, tender, and spontaneous moment. It reflects your story, your gestures, your glances… without staging.
Why do an engagement session?
Feeling comfortable in front of the camera
Many couples tell me they’re not photogenic or they’re afraid they won’t know how to pose. That’s perfectly normal! The engagement session is designed to help you get familiar with the camera, with how I work, and most importantly, with your own image.
My approach is based on natural moments. I won’t ask you to pose — I’ll ask you to live the moment. I’ll guide you gently, but mostly I let the magic happen. The result: natural photos, full of life and emotion.
Building trust with your photographer
On the wedding day, everything moves fast. If you’ve already done a photo session with me, you’ll know how I work, you’ll feel confident, and that will show in the images. This relationship is key to helping you relax and allowing your emotions to be captured authentically.
Precious memories before the wedding
The couple session before the wedding is also a chance to preserve a unique time in your life: the anticipation, the excitement, the planning. These photos tell a different side of your story, one that complements the wedding day.
Using the photos for your invitations or decor
The images from the engagement session can be used for your wedding invitations, your wedding website, or even to decorate your venue on the big day. They add a personal and authentic touch to your celebration.
When should you do the engagement session?
There’s no strict rule, but here are a few tips:
- 3 to 6 months before the wedding: This gives you time to use the photos in your planning.
- In spring or autumn: The light is soft, the colors are beautiful, and the temperatures are pleasant.
- In a meaningful location: A beach near Montpellier, a forest around Nîmes, a field in Arles… The key is to feel comfortable.
How does an engagement session work?
Each session is unique, but here’s how I usually proceed:
- We chat to choose the location, timing, and desired atmosphere.
- On the day, I guide you without directing you. I suggest simple, natural situations that encourage connection and emotion.
- I capture real moments: a laugh, a glance, a hand brushing the other. These are the details that tell your story.
What if you don’t like posing?
Good news: you don’t need to pose. My job is to help you feel comfortable and create an atmosphere that invites authenticity. I’ll encourage you to walk, talk, look at each other… and I’ll stay discreet. The best couple photos are often the ones you didn’t expect.
Conclusion: a key step for successful wedding photos
The engagement session is much more than just a photo shoot. It’s a moment for two, a gentle preparation for the big day, a way to reconnect with what truly matters. It helps you feel at ease, build trust with your photographer, and live a deeply emotional experience.
If you’re getting married between Nîmes, Arles and Montpellier, and you’re looking for a wedding photographer who values the present moment, emotion, and natural beauty, I’d be honored to be part of your journey.
Let’s talk about your engagement session and create memories that truly reflect you.