Engagment photo session

Personally, I think it's worth it for a few reasons:


1. Professionals photos of you and your fiance are a great keepsake! And they can be used on Save The Dates, thank you notes, etc.

2. It helps you feel more comfortable in front of a camera before your wedding day, and helps you learn how your photographer works. If there are specific poses your photographer had you do that you don't like once you get the pictures back, you can let them know and they can keep that in mind to skip or alter those poses for your wedding photos. You also can start to feel more comfortable around the photographer, so that your wedding day will go a little smoother.

3. It's a fun thing to do! My fiance and I absolutely loved taking our engagement photos, we had such a fun time, and we made it into a date night.

However, it's ultimately up to you. If you don't want to do them, it's fine to skip them as well and save the money. Otherwise, I recommend them!

Our engagement photos were included in our package, but even if they weren't we still would have done them. We wanted a chance to get to know our photographer and get comfortable with her as well as just having professional photos taken. I also realized after we got our engagement photos back that my husband is picky about some poses, so we were able to talk to our photographer about that before the wedding.

Our photography package came with an engagement session (she was even nice enough to add another session with our dog for free). Even if it wasn't included, we would still have added it on! It's a chance for your photographer to get to know you and your SO as well as figure out your style as a couple. The engagement session will help you get comfortable in front of the camera, and the photos are perfect for STDs, invitations (if you want one on them), and future gifts!

We love our engagement photos. Its an excuse to get pictures taken with your fiance that you may not get the chance to take again. Most couples dont do planned photoshoots like that unless they have an excuse (your actual wedding photos, maternity, etc.) To be honest $300 is not bad for engagement pics, I’ve seen them be wayy more expensive. I would go for it unless you feel it’s something you can live without

I second all of Lisa’s points. Also I have used the engagement pictures for countless social media posts about the wedding, wedding websites, and wedding registry sites. We even used one as a photo reference in a letter we sent to our previous homeowners to get an edge on the sale! I am so glad we did them.

I don't know. On one hand your mom is right. On the other, the previous posters make great points. I did engagement photos abd I did not find it to be fun. Mind you I'm very plain Jane and I felt it was a "chore" getting ready for photos. Leg and underarm waxing, going to salon for hair; going to another salon for makeup; eyebrow waxing. It was a lot for me! And a lot of money and time.
So, after that, I don't plan on going all out for wedding photos.

I went through a similar debate recently, & we ultimately have decided to get the photos done, but do take what I'm about to say with a grain of salt as we haven't actually scheduled or taken the engagement photos yet!

Our engagement shoot was also an additional fee--both our package & the session cost are a bit higher, but the proportion of shoot-to-package costs are about the same.

I literally wrote out a pro/con list to help make this decision, but it boiled down to a few key things:

1.) What people have said above--wanting to meet the photog before the wedding day, wanting to practice poses/being photographed, etc. If something goes really wrong, this is also a chance to switch photographers, although I am determined to not do that unless it is absolutely worst case scenario.

2.) I do want to use the photos for things (although we may not be able to use them for all of these depending on timing of the shoot): social media countdown posts, wedding website, wedding day guestbook, decor for venue, send a print with invites to family members, framed gift for parents & grandparents, holiday cards (depending on timing), save the dates (depending on timing), change the dates (if necessary!), thank you notes for shower and/or wedding (maybe).

3.) I really just want to do it, and this was the deciding factor for me. We got engaged in May 2020, and the pandemic has impacted how I thought our engagement would go. Our engagement was very casual, which is fine by me, but the lack of subsequent dinners & celebrations have really made me want something to celebrate this time.

I will say that the additional expense will not have a negative impact on our finances. I can forgo something else later on if really needed. If the money is a true issue, can you ask if your photog will meet with you for coffee--ours offered this when we were still unsure.

It's definitely worth it but if you are not up to the extra expense then you won't be looked at differently for not getting them. It's not a necessity

I didn't do engagement photos and don't regret it for a moment. We have professional photos from the wedding.

Ours was a similar situation on price/optionality (and parents thought it wasn’t super worthwhile) and I’m very glad we did them. Spending that time with the photographer when you aren’t rushed and pulled in a million directions is very valuable. Also getting a feel for how you will need to move around to get the right lighting and background for different shots. She gave us tips on posing, walking, and relaxing. There are definitely some poses that I thought I would like but REALLY didn’t, and vice versa!
In some ways, it’s a very small investment to make sure the huge expense ($2700) is worthwhile. Think of it like a hair and makeup trial, but where you actually receive something lasting.

They're usually included in the photography price. It gives you a set of formal non-dressy pics and you get to know the photographer and see them in action.

As a wedding photographer, YES! It’s a fun way to meet you photographer, get posing practice and work together before the wedding day.