what is a pre-wedding shoot
A pre-wedding shoot is a scheduled photography session that takes place before your wedding day, typically a few months in advance. It serves as both a rehearsal with your photographers and an opportunity to create relaxed portraits in a different setting. At Super 35, we approach these sessions with the same documentary sensibility we bring to weddings themselves.
the definition
A pre-wedding shoot gives you time alone with your photographers in a location of your choosing. It might be a beach at sunrise, a familiar street in your neighbourhood, or somewhere that holds meaning for you both. The session usually runs for one to two hours.
Unlike the wedding day itself, there’s no timeline to follow. You can move slowly, experiment with different light, and settle into being photographed. The pressure is off.
Some couples use these sessions to build confidence in front of the camera. Others simply want more photographs together in a different context. Both reasons are valid.
why couples choose this
The most practical reason is familiarity. By the time your wedding arrives, you already know how your photographers work and move around you. There’s no adjustment period on a day when time matters.
A pre-wedding shoot also expands your collection beyond the wedding day itself. You get images in different clothes, different light, and often a more relaxed state. Some couples prefer the photographs from these sessions to their wedding day portraits.
For destination weddings or ceremonies with tight schedules, a pre-wedding shoot can relieve the pressure to create portraits on the day. You already have them.
what to look for
Choose a location that means something to you, not just somewhere photogenic. The photographs will hold more weight if the place itself carries significance. Your photographers should support this thinking, not push you toward generic beauty spots.
Look for natural light and simple backgrounds. Overly busy locations compete for attention in the frame. Early morning or late afternoon offers the most forgiving light.
The photographer’s approach matters more than the location. A documentary photographer will work differently to someone who directs heavily. Make sure their method aligns with how you want to be seen.
the super 35 approach
We photograph around 35 weddings per year across Sydney with two photographers. Our pre-wedding shoots follow the same documentary principles we use on wedding days. We observe more than we direct.
Most of our couples choose locations they already know. We’ve worked in backyards, local parks, and quiet streets near home. The familiarity shows in how people move and hold themselves.
These sessions give us time to understand how you interact when there’s no schedule to follow. That understanding carries through to your wedding day, where we can anticipate moments rather than manufacture them.
frequently asked questions
How long does a pre-wedding shoot usually take?
Most sessions run between one and two hours. This gives enough time to settle in, move between a few spots if needed, and work with changing light. We don’t rush.
Do we need to organise hair and makeup?
Only if you want to. Many couples prefer the relaxed nature of these shoots and skip formal styling entirely. Wear what makes you feel like yourselves.
When should we schedule the shoot?
Anywhere from two to six months before your wedding works well. This gives you time to use images for save-the-dates or websites if you want. It also means your wedding day won’t feel too distant from the session.
Where do Sydney couples usually go for these sessions?
We’ve worked everywhere from coastal walks to inner-city terraces. The best sessions happen in places our couples already know. Familiar spaces produce more natural photographs than tourist locations.
