what is an engagement session
An engagement session is a pre-wedding photo shoot that takes place weeks or months before your wedding day. It gives you time with your photographer in a relaxed setting, without the pressure of the wedding timeline. At Super 35, we approach these sessions the same way we document weddings—observational, unhurried, real.
the definition
An engagement session is typically a one to two hour shoot at a location of your choosing. Most couples schedule it between their engagement and wedding day, though the timing varies widely.
The purpose is threefold. You get comfortable in front of the camera. Your photographer learns how you move together, how you interact naturally. And you walk away with a set of photographs that document this specific chapter of your relationship.
These sessions happen separate from the wedding day. They’re not rushed. There’s no guest list, no timeline, no agenda beyond spending time together while being photographed.
why couples book engagement sessions
The most practical reason is camera comfort. If you’re not used to being photographed, a wedding day can feel exposing. An engagement session removes that unfamiliarity before it matters most.
It’s also a chance to work with your photographer in a low-stakes environment. You learn how they work, what they notice, how much direction they give. This builds trust that translates directly to your wedding coverage.
For couples who feel awkward or self-conscious, an engagement session often shifts that entirely. You realise being photographed doesn’t require performance. It just requires being yourselves, which becomes much easier the second time around.
what to look for in engagement coverage
Look for photographers who treat engagement sessions with the same weight as wedding coverage. The approach should be consistent—same style, same attention, same observational eye.
Avoid photographers who over-direct or rely on poses. The session should feel like documentation, not choreography. You want photographs of how you actually are together, not a performance of romance.
Location matters less than you think. The best engagement photographs come from connection, not scenery. A familiar neighbourhood often works better than a dramatic backdrop you have no relationship with.
the super 35 approach
We photograph around 35 weddings per year across Sydney, and we include an engagement session with every booking. It’s not an add-on. It’s part of how we work.
Our sessions are documentary from start to finish. We don’t pose you or manufacture moments. We follow you through a location—walking, talking, existing together—and document what happens naturally. Most couples forget we’re there within twenty minutes.
We work as two photographers, the same team you’ll have on your wedding day. This means you’re familiar with both of us before the wedding, and we’ve already seen how you move through space together. That familiarity shows in the final coverage.
frequently asked questions
how long does an engagement session take
Most sessions run between one and two hours. This gives enough time to settle in, move through a location naturally, and let genuine moments develop. We don’t rush, and we don’t over-shoot.
when should we schedule an engagement session
Anywhere between booking and your wedding day works. Some couples book theirs immediately, others wait until closer to the wedding. We recommend at least a few months before, so you’re comfortable well ahead of the day itself.
what should we wear to an engagement session
Wear what feels like you. Avoid matching outfits or anything you wouldn’t normally choose. The photographs work best when you look like yourselves, not a styled version of yourselves.
where do most sydney couples shoot their engagement sessions
We’ve shot everywhere from inner-city terraces to coastal walks to the Blue Mountains. Location matters far less than most couples think. The best sessions happen in places that mean something to you, even if that’s just your local neighbourhood.
