What's the point of engagement photos?

Some people like to have a photo for STDS. We wanted to do them because both of us are photo shy and wanted to spend some time in front of our photographer before the wedding. It was nice because we got to see exactly how he does things and what we wanted him to improve on. It was also great because DH and I learned what poses were most flattering to us. I personally recommend it but only if you have the budget for it.

We were only able to do a mini-engagement session, about 30 minutes. It was nice to have some formal pics of the two of us, and like @OGA said it was a great chance to get comfortable with the photographer. We didn't use the pics for save the dates or invites or anything, but we're glad to have them. Husband isn't much for pictures, but he relaxed as we did it and as a result he wasn't as self-conscious at the wedding.

I can't justify the expense either, but lots of photographers add them into the wedding package as an incentive (because I truly believe that you pay for everything in one way or another -- even if it's free).

What do you use them for? Lots of couples use them for STDs, and I truly believe those are basically wedding hype (marketed to the couple), and they do cause issues when every guest on the prospective list is sent one (i.e., you HAVE to follow up with a formal wedding invitation, regardless of what happens to the co-worker/significant other/friend relationship over the year).

Besides that, they are nice photos that can be framed by the couple and their parents, and they make great avatars on Wedding Wire.

FH and I are excited to get to work with our photographer before the end and also just an opportunity to have nice pictures of us together.

What OG said. Our photog pkg offers a free epic session. We were able to do this before signing our contract & then it was free if we went with them. I've been looking for a family pic for FH, his son n I for some time & was able to do those pics, also.

We're not doing our E-Pics with our wedding photographer.

We don't have any professional pics of us, and I really want them done. The cost for us, isn't that much.

I've always wanted professional pictures with my FH so it was the perfect excuse it was fun getting all dolled up and even doing those cheesy poses. We also used them for our std's.

They can be expensive. Ours is included in the pack tho.... & we will have a pretty big picture of us at the entrance by the guest book.

Ours come as part of our photography package.

Some couples use them as their STD pics, or for their wedding website.

My photographer said that he uses them to get to know the couple a bit, find out what angles work best, what poses really work for us, and to help his clients feel a bit more comfortable being photographed in such a way.

We did it to use for STDs, wedding decor and thank you notes, and just to have pics of us at that point in our lives that aren't only wedding clothing. Totally unnecessary, just something fun. We ended up finding someone to do ours for $375 including her travel. There are also lots of photographers doing "mini sessions" now; 30 minutes in a location they choose (they do a bunch in one day at one place) for pretty cheap ($100). Maybe that would be an option if you just want some.

For me, it allows me to get to know the couple in a more relaxed environment, it allows me to figure out before the wedding day what works and what doesn't with regards to approach and posing, and working with the couple before their wedding day puts me at ease. I know what to expect to a certain degree on the day of their wedding. I also just really like the engagement sessions.

Are they necessary? No. But the E sessions help prepare me for the wedding day.

A friend of my wanted to skip them even though it was a part of her package, and her photog insisted because it's an opportunity for the couple to get comfortable in front of the camera and the photog to learn their likes/dislikes. They ended up doing a low key shoot over a beer at a bar.

We did three sets of engagements and by the wedding we were comfortable with being in front of the camera and got excellent pictures. Also, it was seriously so much fun. 10/10 would do again.

Hope, your seasonal sessions collage was mentioned by another WW bride a few days ago! We love what you did. Glad you posted here.

It's not in our budget. We aren't doing any. I wish we could. We looked at what we really really wanted and what could be done without.

Unless you are putting an engagement notice in the local paper I don't think they are needed. We had a tragic event locally with senior pic's here involving train tracks. Unnecessary pic's that resulted in a tragedy.

I got them done because my photographer offered them for free when booking her for our wedding. I liked it for nice family pictures. It's also nice to have them for save the dates.

We used ours when announcing our engagement and on our website. I love all of our photos. It was a fun day.

While I'm sorry for the tragedy that occurred Letti, most don't take pics or play on train tracks. Most pics aren't a risk to life.

Ours is about $100-140 USD. Our pics are being done in BC, Canada in 3 weeks. I'm excited. We're using them to announce the engagement

Its more so just to have memories. Since you're not using them for save the dates I've seen some people print and use them at their wedding like at the sign in table or at the rehearsal dinner. A lot of new photographers will do ''mini fall" sessions for a low price for like 20-30 min. We really don't need them but the photographer I really wanted for the wedding pics was booked for our wedding day but he said he could do our engagement pics so to me it was a small win. However, Its def not necessary if it will stress you out, you can skip it all together. You will still have professional pics from the wedding!