The Benefits of Including Your Dog in Your Engagement Session

Having your pup join in at your engagement session is a great way to add another element of fun to your shoot. Not only will your photos be unique and memorable, but you’ll also get to celebrate the bond between you and your four-legged best friend.

Let’s talk about the advantages of including your pup in an engagement session. For one thing, it's a way for me to get to pet a dog and I'm all for that. :)

Second, having your dog in the session can also be incredibly therapeutic and calming. People often feel nervous before their engagement photos, so having a furry friend by their side can help alleviate some of that anxiety. Plus, since dogs tend to have short attention spans, they often provide welcome comic relief during long shoots. The end result? Unique photos that capture not just the two of you, but also the special bond between you and your pet!

If you decide that including your pup in an engagement session is right for you and yours, there are a few things that need to be taken into consideration ahead of time. First, I always recommend bringing someone to help with your dog. Bonus points, if it's someone your dog is already familiar with. That way you don't have to stress about your dog for the photos. We can take some with the dog and some without.

You should also take time to prepare your dog ahead of time—make sure they’re groomed properly and if you know where we are going maybe take them there before our scheduled time so they can sniff around and get familiar with the area. A new place can make a dog very excited.

Bringing treats to help them look at the camera is always a helpful thing as well :)

Finally, don’t forget safety measures like leashes.

Having a dog at an engagement session is more than just adding another prop or decoration—it’s about celebrating the unique bond that exists between humans and animals alike. If it feels right for both of you, then go ahead and make plans to include him or her in the day's festivities! With careful preparation on both front ends you'll get fantastic results that will last forever. Pets are like family and I think adding them in to a session is a perfect way to capture that bond.

The Benefits of Doing an Engagement Session with Your Wedding Photographer

Planning a wedding is no small feat. From picking the perfect venue to finding the right dress, there are a million and one details to take care of. And while your wedding day is sure to be beautiful, the months (and sometimes years) leading up to it can be stressful. That's why I believe that an engagement session with your wedding photographer is so important. Not only is it a great way to get to know your photographer and ensure that you're comfortable working with them, but it's also a wonderful opportunity to have some beautiful photos taken before your big day. Here are just a few of the benefits of doing an engagement session with your wedding photographer. All of these reasons are why I include them in all my wedding packages!

Relax and Get Comfortable

One of the best things about doing an engagement session is that it gives you a chance to relax and get comfortable in front of the camera. By the time your wedding day rolls around, you'll be a pro at posing and won't have any qualms about being in front of the lens. This comfort will come through in your photos, making them look natural and effortless.

Get to Know Your Photographer

Engagement sessions give you the opportunity to get to know your photographer before the big day. This is important because you want someone who makes you feel comfortable and relaxed during your wedding photos so that they turn out exactly the way you envision them. During the engagement session, you can have fun and get used to being in front of the camera while also developing a rapport with your photographer so that on your wedding day, it will feel like taking photos with an old friend!

Capture Your Love Story

Your engagement session is also a chance to capture your love story. These photos will be cherished for years to come, so why not use them as an opportunity to show off how much you two love each other? Whether you choose to do a traditional shoot or something more unique that reflects your personalities, these photos will serve as a beautiful reminder of this special time in your lives.

Beautiful Decorations & Gifts

Engagement sessions also provide gorgeous images that make perfect decorations or gifts for upcoming weddings. From framed prints to canvas wraps, wall art, or even a photo album showcasing all your most beloved engagement memories, these items make excellent gifts for family members or simply decorations around your house to remind you of how much love exists between two people. Engagement sessions are often used as part of a couple’s “Save The Date” cards or other wedding stationery. Getting stunning pictures from an engagement session is a great way to start off announcing all the details about your upcoming special day! You can also use parts of the photos from the session in different ways throughout your wedding décor like having them printed on custom napkins or mugs as favors for guests. The options are endless when it comes to finding creative uses for those beautiful photographs taken at your engagement session!

Engagement sessions are more than just taking photos; they’re about creating lasting memories between two people in love. When done right, these photographs will capture every emotion felt between two individuals on their special day and serve as reminders of how strong their bond is now and always will be.

A Detroit Elopement Story - Erica and Cody

It all started with a phone call when Erica and Cody reached out to me, a wedding photographer in Detroit, Michigan. They told me they wanted to elope and asked if I'd be there to capture their special day. I was so excited when they said yes! So, on that beautiful autumn morning, we met up at an Airbnb where the two of them got ready together before heading over to Belle Isle for their private vows. After that was done, we headed to Eastern Market Brewing Company for some beer and champagne by the famous zebra wall. It was a day that truly felt like them – warm, intimate, and full of love.

To me, this is what elopements are all about – it's not just about having a smaller wedding; it's about making sure that every single moment feels like you. Every detail should be tailored to who you are as a couple and what matters most to you. For Erica and Cody, that meant getting ready together instead of separately, saying their vows privately on Belle Isle – a place they both love – and celebrating with beers at Eastern Market Brewing Company. It was perfect for them because it felt like them!

The best part about documenting these moments is getting to know my couples better. I always strive for my clients to feel comfortable and relaxed in front of the camera so that I can capture their true emotions accurately. By the end of the day, I had gained two new friends in Erica and Cody! It's always such an honor when my clients trust me enough with such an important part of their lives – especially since elopements are even more personal than traditional weddings!

Eloping can often feel intimidating or overwhelming due to its smaller scale compared to traditional weddings. But if you take your time planning out what you want your elopement day to look like, there’s no reason why you can’t have the most magical wedding experience imaginable! Erica and Cody's unique journey proved this—they had the perfect mix of intimacy and fun. If you're looking for someone to capture your own elopement story in Detroit (or anywhere else!) then please reach out - I'd love nothing more than helping create lasting memories for another couple! ;-)