Is the engagement shoot included with wedding photography?
Ross Nixon Photography includes a complimentary engagement session in all full-day wedding coverages. This session helps couples get comfortable in front of the lens before the wedding day.
The short answer is yes. In my standard full-day wedding photography packages, I include a pre-wedding or engagement shoot. Pricing for my comprehensive wedding coverage starts from £1,950, and I view the engagement session as a functional part of the workflow rather than a luxury extra. It is a practical opportunity for us to meet in person and for you to understand how I direct subjects. For many couples, being photographed is not a natural act. These sessions remove the anxiety of the unknown, ensuring that when the wedding day arrives, we can work quickly and efficiently without you feeling stiff or self-conscious. This ensures the editorial style I am known for is maintained under the time pressures of a live event.
From £1,950
What's included
When you book a full-day wedding package with Ross Nixon Photography, the engagement session is a standard feature. This includes approximately sixty to ninety minutes of shooting at an agreed location. You receive a curated gallery of high-resolution digital files, fully edited to match the aesthetic of my professional portfolio. These images are typically delivered via a private online gallery with full printing rights. It is not just about the final images; it is about the trial run. We discuss your preferences, identify any specific concerns you have about being photographed, and establish a rapport. This session allows us to test out technical aspects like movement and lighting in a relaxed environment. Unlike the wedding day, there is no strict timeline, which allows for experimentation. Most clients use these images for save-the-date cards, wedding websites, or social media announcements. It serves as a necessary baseline for the final wedding gallery, ensuring visual consistency across your entire collection. If you are booking shorter coverage or elopements, the session can be added as an optional extra for a separate fee.
How it works
The process is straightforward. Once your wedding date is secured with a deposit, we schedule the engagement session. I recommend doing this at least three to six months before the wedding. We choose a location that contrasts with or complements your wedding venue. If you are getting married in a formal city hotel, we might choose a more rugged coastal or woodland setting for the engagement shoot. On the day, we walk, talk, and I take photos. I provide direction to ensure you look natural, focusing on genuine interaction rather than forced poses. After the shoot, the editing process takes roughly two weeks. You will receive the files in a format ready for download. This workflow means that by the time I arrive at your wedding preparations, I am not a stranger with a camera, but a known professional who already knows how you look best through a viewfinder.
Local detail
Based in Edinburgh, I often utilise the varied landscape of the city and its surroundings for these sessions. I am well-versed in the specific lighting challenges and opportunities provided by the Scottish weather. For an urban aesthetic, I often suggest the New Town or the industrial backgrounds of Leith. If you prefer a more natural backdrop, I frequently use the shore at Wardie Bay or the heights of Holyrood Park, though I avoid the typical tourist traps to ensure your images feel unique. I also travel across Scotland to locations that might be significant to you, whether that is a family estate in Fife or a specific spot in the Trossachs. Knowing these local environments intimately means I can advise on the best time of day for light—often the 'golden hour' before sunset—and have backup plans for when the east coast haar or rain rolls in. This local knowledge is vital for ensuring the engagement session is productive, regardless of the conditions. My elopement packages, starting from £395, can also be tailored to include these location-specific sessions if required.
Questions people ask
- Can we opt out of the engagement shoot for a discount?
- The engagement session is included as a complimentary part of the workflow to ensure the best results on your wedding day. While you can choose not to have the session, it does not reduce the base price of the full-day package. The value of the shoot is in the rapport and comfort it builds, which is essential for my editorial delivery.
- What happens if it rains on the day of our shoot?
- Scottish weather is unpredictable. If the forecast is heavy rain, we can look at indoor options such as a favourite bar or coffee shop, or we can reschedule to a different date. I maintain a flexible calendar to accommodate these shifts. Grey skies and light drizzle often provide excellent, soft lighting for portraits, so we rarely cancel for cloud alone.
- What should we wear for the engagement session?
- Wear what you feel like yourselves in. I recommend avoiding heavy branding or extremely busy patterns that might distract from your faces. Neutrals and earth tones work well in both urban and rural Scottish settings. The goal is a timeless look that will not feel dated in five years. Bringing a second layer or a coat is always sensible for outdoor shoots.
- How long does it take to get the photos back?
- For engagement sessions, I typically deliver the final edited gallery within fourteen days. You will receive an email link to a private gallery where you can download high-resolution files for printing and web-sized versions for social media. This quick turnaround allows you to use the images for wedding planning tasks like stationery or website updates.
- Can we bring our dog to the session?
- Yes, I am happy for you to bring your dog. It often helps couples relax and provides a natural focal point for the photos. I just ask that you choose a location that is dog-friendly and perhaps bring a friend or family member if you want some shots without the pet, so someone can hold the lead while we work.
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