do you really need engagement photos? 5 reasons why they matter

congratulations on your engagement! as you start planning your wedding, one of the first questions you might ask is, do we really need engagement photos?

the short answer? no, you don’t need them—but the real question is, will you value them, and are they worth the investment? with so many details to plan and expenses to consider, it’s easy to see engagement photos as just another item on the list. but these photos can serve a much bigger purpose than you might realize. in this post, we’ll break down why engagement photos might be worth it for you and how they can add value to your wedding journey.

what kind of wedding are you planning? 

before deciding on engagement photos, think about what kind of wedding you’re envisioning.

• are you having a big celebration? if you’re planning a large wedding with lots of guests, you’ll likely need professional photos for save-the-dates, invitations, and your wedding website—making an engagement session even more valuable.
  
• having a small courthouse wedding? if you’re skipping formal invitations and going for something more intimate, engagement photos might not be as essential.
  
• do you want a cohesive wedding aesthetic? if you have a specific color scheme or vibe for your wedding, your engagement photos can match that style—whether it’s modern and editorial, rustic and bohemian, or vintage and counterculture.
• when is your wedding? if you’re getting married in a few weeks or months, you might not have time for an engagement session. but if your wedding is a year or more away, it makes more sense to invest in engagement photos.
  

ultimately, your timeline and the type of wedding you’re planning can help determine if engagement photography is the right choice for you.

why engagement photos are worth considering

1. they make your wedding planning easier

as you start spreading the news about your engagement, you’ll likely need photos for save-the-dates, your wedding website, invitations, and social media. while you might have plenty of fun selfies together, they may not be the images you want to send to your entire guest list.

having professional engagement photos saves you time, ensures high-quality images, and gives your wedding materials a polished and cohesive look.

2. they celebrate a milestone in your relationship

your engagement marks a significant chapter in your life—one filled with excitement, anticipation, and love. capturing this moment with professional photos allows you to freeze-frame this special time before the whirlwind of wedding planning takes over.

engagement photos aren’t just about pretty outfits and posed shots—they tell the story of your love. whether you met at a coffee shop, bonded over a shared passion, or started dating during a pandemic, an engagement session allows you to weave your unique story into the images. years from now, these photos will serve as a beautiful reminder of where it all began.

3. they help you feel comfortable in front of the camera

for many couples, posing for professional portraits can feel awkward at first. an engagement session lets you practice before your wedding day, helping you feel more at ease in front of the camera.

your wedding day will be filled with emotions and movement, and the last thing you want is to feel stiff or nervous in your photos. getting comfortable with your photographer during an engagement session can make a big difference, ensuring you look and feel natural when it matters most.

4. they document where you are in life right now

if you and your partner have moved to a new city together or built a life in a place that’s special to you, engagement photos can capture this chapter of your journey.

for example, if you’re getting married in your hometown but currently live in new york city, an engagement session in central park or with yellow cabs in the background can beautifully reflect this period of your lives.

5. they’re the beginning of your family’s story

your engagement marks the start of your new family. years down the road, these photos will become even more meaningful—capturing a moment in time when it was just the two of you, before marriage, before kids, before life evolved.

one day, you’ll look back and be grateful that you took the time to document this stage of your relationship.

so, do you need engagement photos?

engagement photos may seem like just another wedding expense, but they offer so much more than that. they allow you to capture a milestone, tell your story, get comfortable in front of the camera, and create lasting memories.

the decision ultimately comes down to what you and your partner value. if you’re considering an engagement session and want to learn more about my approach to photography, click here to get in touch. i’d love to help capture this exciting time in your lives.