Are Engagement Photos Worth It?

Nothing forced. Nothing stiff.

(Honest answer from a photographer who hears “I hate photos” every week)

Short answer? 

They’re not required. But for most couples, they’re 100% worth it.

And I’ll tell you why based on what I see every single week, not what sounds good on a wedding blog.

“My husband doesn’t smile. I feel fat. I don’t know how to pose. I’m nervous as hell.”

That’s not me guessing. That’s what couples actually say to me before their engagement session.

Here are the most common things I hear:

• “He hates taking pictures.”

• “He never smiles.”

• “I feel awkward.”

• “I don’t like my body right now.”

• “I don’t know what to do with my hands.”

• “I’m scared I’ll look stiff.”

• “We’re not photogenic.”

If that sounds like you, congratulations—you’re normal.

Comfort comes first. Real moments follow.

What happens before vs after engagement photos

Before:

• Everyone is tense

• Smiles feel forced

• You’re thinking about how you look

• You’re worried you’re doing it wrong

After:

• “That wasn’t bad at all.”

• “Why was I stressing?”

• “He actually smiled.”

• “I forgot the camera was there.”

• “I feel way better about the wedding now.”

That switch happens almost every time.

Most engagement sessions are long enough to help couples relax and get comfortable.

The real reason engagement photos are worth it

Engagement photos aren’t about the photos.

You don’t need to pose. You just need to be close.

They’re about:

• Getting comfortable

• Learning you don’t have to pose

• Realizing your photographer will guide you

• Knowing you don’t have to smile the whole time

• Trusting that you’ll look like yourself, not someone else

That confidence carries straight into the wedding day.

What I see when couples skip engagement photos

I’ve photographed weddings where couples skipped engagement sessions.

Here’s what usually happens:

• The day starts tense

• They’re stiff at first

• They keep asking, “Do I look okay?”

• They don’t know what to do with their hands

• Smiles feel forced early on

The photos still turn out fine—but it takes longer to get there.

What I see when couples do engagement photos

Couples who did engagement photos:

• Relax faster

• Trust me quicker

• Stop overthinking

• Move more naturally

• Don’t panic when a camera is pointed at them

The best photos happen between moments.

They already know:

• I’ll guide them

• They don’t have to “perform”

• They don’t have to pose perfectly

That’s a big deal.

Engagement photos help the people who think they don’t need them

Engagement photos are especially worth it if:

• Your partner hates photos

• You feel insecure right now

• You’ve never had professional photos

• You don’t know how to pose

• You’re nervous about looking awkward

So… most couples.

The biggest lie people believe

Lie: “We need to look good to take engagement photos.”

Your photos should feel like you.

Truth:

• You don’t need to be skinny

• You don’t need to know how to pose

• You don’t need to smile the whole time

• You don’t need to act a certain way

That’s literally my job.

Your job is just to show up.

What engagement photos actually give you

After an engagement session, couples usually say:

• “I feel way better about the wedding.”

• “I know what to expect now.”

• “I’m not as nervous anymore.”

• “That was actually fun.”

That’s why they’re worth it.

When you stop overthinking, moments like this happen naturally.

When engagement photos might not be worth it

I’ll be honest.

If you truly:

• Don’t care about photos

• Don’t care about feeling comfortable

• Don’t care about warming up before the wedding

Then you can skip them.

But most people care more than they think.

What couples end up doing with the photos

Even couples who said, “We probably won’t use them” end up:

• Using them on their wedding website

• Posting them online

• Printing them for their house

• Feeling proud of how they look

• Being glad they did it

Movement makes everything feel easier.

So… are engagement photos worth it?

They’re not about being perfect.

They’re about:

• Getting out of your head

• Feeling comfortable

• Trusting the process

• Realizing you don’t have to try so hard

That’s why, for most couples, engagement photos are absolutely worth it.

If you’re nervous, awkward, or thinking, “This sounds stressful”—that’s actually the best reason to do them.

This is what comfort looks like.

If you’re looking for engagement photographers in Austin who guide you through the process and keep things relaxed, you can see my full engagement photography experience here.