To shoot or not to shoot engagement photos?

serabdaniels

 So my fiance and I are really unsure of doing engagement photos. Are they really necesary? Expecially if we already have a ton of pics of ourselves. We have professional pics laying around that still need frames. I also understand that it is a great way to get to know your photographer, we really want to save money! One more possible reason we might skip these is that my fiance has messed up front teeth, and he is getting them fixed for the wedding but we don't have a set date for when they will be finished. As his teeth are now he doesn't fully smile in pics, so i don't think the engagement shots will be as genuine as our wedding pics.

So this is my plea to all the brides out there, help me decide what to do? Are they really that important?

stephmill26

I think engagement photos are nice, but it is totally up to you if you have them or not... If you dont take them, will you look back with regret? Or if you do take them, will it be a point of contention for you and your fiance in the future? (ie: we should not have spent the money! I look terrible in these pics!)

Maybe, to compromise, you could have a family member or friend take some shots of you, insted of hiring a professional. That way, you save $ but still have the memories, if you want them... You may want to remember his messed up teeth

~mRm~

They are not a necessity. As you mentioned above most couples use them as a way to get familiar with a photographer. They may also be included in their wedding package so in essence "free." Others take them because they would like to use a shot of them in their save the dates. You will be fine without them so don't stress!

kpweddingsDOTcom

To: serabdaniels

I am a pro-photographer (over 80 weddings shot) and I work in both CA and AZ I'm in the process of moving to CA this year and building my wedding photography out there.

I will be in the Laguna area marketing this weekend and have both Friday and Saturday night (start time around 5:30 pm) open for an Engagement session. I usually Charge $250 but since I’m in the area anyways I’d love to offer you a session for $100. It will come with a copyright release disk, on-line proofs. If you’d like to add 100 Save the dates with Envelopes it would be $150 total.

my site:

http://kpweddings.com

Let me know.

Thank you,
Kelly Reiter 949-357-0045

This offer is good for any other couple in the area for either night while I still have it available.

Monia2710

I know alot of couples do them, but in my opinion I dont think theyre necessary. I'm pretty sure we're not going to do them. We're alredy spending 3,000 alone for the wedding day photography & would rather use the money we'd end up spending for the engagement photos somewhere else.
Good luck to you!

serabdaniels

Thanks so much for the offer! Unfortunately this weekend is booked up with family stuff. 

serabdaniels

Thanks Knotties! I needed to hear that I shouldn't stress over it. Sometimes, with all the cool ideas and options for your wedding I get a little overwhelmed with the little details!

frazam

NOt necessary, you can just compile all your old photos and put it in a n album, I think that would be much more personal and nice. Though if your photographer offers engagement photos for free (included in the package), then go ahead...

angybanez

Most engagement shoots are part of a package (with mine anyway and some others) and for my wedding (which I got the idea from a friend who got married before me) I used our engagement pictures as "table numbers" and instead of numbers we used names of our favorite places like where we met, where he proposed etc. Everyone loved the idea. I think some pics are in my bio. Good luck!

KristenG2011

Don't stress...do what is right for the both of you.  Our engagement session we were able to get with our package as well.  We thought it would be a nice way for us to get to know our photographer.  Our photographer just told us that it is a good way for them to see how we photograph and will make us more comfortable in front of cameras for the wedding.  A little camera shy here...

cmp1986

I chose not to because I couldn't see spending more money on them. I don't think they are necessary. Plus some of the shots can be very cheesy.

sarahbug69

I agree! I dont think engagement pictures are necessary if you dont want to I wouldnt do it. If you have lots of pictures that you like already I would just wait for the wedding day. No stress sister Just smiles.

ikrystal

Not necessary.. but, when we met with our photographer, the wedding package we picked came with engagement photos.  I didnt really want them, but I'm glad we took them!  It made me waaaaay more comfortable - I think this will show on our wedding day.  Plus they were great to have around the house - casual attire pictures but great shots with phenomenal backgrounds of the city.  But like I said, not necessary. I dont think any of my friends did them, and they were just fine on the wedding day.