Image by Abigail Seymour Photography

And why you should take them.  If you are engaged (obvs).  Our engagement picture shoot was one of the most enjoyable things we did before the wedding.  They may seem kind of frivolous, but I find engagement shoots to be important for several reasons:

1)  When else in your life are you going to have pictures taken by a professional photographer, other than on the wedding day?  It is so nice to have pictures of Corey and I where we aren’t in sweatpants or in ugly Christmas sweaters.  Actually, I wouldn’t mind a picture of us in ugly Christmas sweaters.

2) The engagement shoot gives you time to get comfortable with your photographer and also in front of the camera.  Before we got engaged, I was one of the least photogenic people I knew.  Seriously.  Ask someone.  I squinted in every picture.  During our photoshoot, Abigail made us so comfortable and at ease that taking a million pictures on the wedding day seemed much less scary.

3) They are a great way to show off your personality, and just a generally good time.  You can pick fun locations, use props, and even have a styled shoot for beauty purposes.

Two of my most favorite people in the world, friends Ben and Lindsay, just got pictures back from their engagement session with Julie Livingston Photography and they used the coolest location.  They took pictures at an old out-of-service water treatment plant in Raleigh.  You know I dig that since I am an Environmental Engineer (i.e., I do water things.)  Julie did such a gorgeous job that I wanted to share their pretty faces with you guys.  Photos below are by Julie Livingston Photography.

Isn’t Lindsay stunning?  She is going to be such a beautiful bride.

While Lindsay and Ben went for a more industrial look, Corey and I wanted to take our pictures in a rustic setting.  I think the specific description I gave to Abigail of my desired location was “fields with pretty light.”  She found this gorgeous farm in Greensboro that we fell in love with.  I have so many favorites, I can barely choose which to show you.  All images below by the fabulous Abigail Seymour.