Why do I need an engagement session?

I came across an article in Huffington Post last week that I thought was absolutely fantastic and it said in far better language than I could have written, why you should have an engagement session. I HIGHLY recommend reading the entire article. It's not that long, but I thought it profound.

I, like so many other photographers and couples, have the typical list of reasons to have engagement photos made. I asked my Facebook friends what their reasons were. Here are some of them:

• Save the Dates
• To get comfortable in front of the camera
• We barely have any photos of us together
• Guest Sign-In Book
• Engagement photos represent the more authentic you as a couple

These are all absolutely 100% great reasons to have an engagement session. These are the main reasons I used to share with my clients at our consultations, but since last week when I read an amazing article about "The Real Reason to Have Engagement Photos Made" by G.E. Masana, I've changed my mind. (The article is short, so you should read it, but I'll summarize.)

A lot of times articles that have titles like that are just like all the rest, but this one was different. This one hit me right at the core of why I do what I do. If you read my previous post about this, you'll know that for me, the heart and soul of good photography is the story it tells. Engagement photos are part of that story.

“This is a little window of time in your life, not a lot of time at all, really, compared to the rest of your life. But what happened in this small window of time is disproportionately huge. Tiny miracles happened. In that tiny window of time, you found someone. And they found you. You fell in love, and they fell in love with you. This changes the course of both of your lives.”

— G.E. Masana

Masana goes on to talk about how this decision, this moment in life, affects everyone around you and the generations to come.

“Because as your generations go out into the world they will heal, help, sacrifice, influence, and in many ways touch the world around them.

You have literally changed the course of the world.

That’s why I can say your engagement is huge.”

— G.E. Masana

One of the reasons to have engagement photos made that was shared on Facebook was "Because in 26 years you will look back and smile at the memories." I thought this hit the closest to the article and was a perfect reminder that:

“Photos are not for today. They are for the rest of our lives.”

— G.E. Masana

They are for when our memories have faded and our bodies have grown old. To be able to show our memories to future generations.

“Not only to visit again the beautiful, historic times of your life, but in time, for all your generations to see from whom they came, and the love they came from, too.””

— G.E. Masana

And, as Masana closed the article, "that's the real reason to have photos like these made."

Couldn't have said it better myself.