Engagement Photos - love 'em or hate 'em?

Do you ever wonder why people spend money on professional engagement photos?

We certainly do!


These engagement photos are yet another modern day wedding trend appearing on the scene in recent years. Unlike the rediscovery of peace sign necklaces and neon colored nail polish, this trend seems to be a new frontier. We have all seen Facebook pages laden with black and white photos of a couple skipping through a beautiful park scene or frolicking on a trendy NYC street.


The photographer who suggested taking these photos initially must be the superhero amongst the photography industry. Some genius figured out yet another way to make money off of the bride and groom even before overcharging them for duplicate albums and extra 8 x 10’s for their grandparents.


Where do our readers stand on the engagement photo debate?


Are these pictures imperative for the success of the wedding?
Are they a waste of time?


We could argue both sides of the equation.


On one hand...having great pictures that are more casual than the ultra posed pictures from the wedding may be nice later in life and black and white photos are great for framing in your home. It is a nice opportunity to get to know your photographer before wedding day madness. It is a good idea to become comfortable in front of the lens pre wedding day and it is important to decide which side of your face holds the light better. Also, its another excuse to make you fiancé do ridiculous things like holding you in the air Dirty Dancing style. Of course he MUST do it because its part of your picture perfect princess wedding!

On the other hand….do your friends really want to start looking through 200 pictures of you before you have even picked a wedding date? Like constant Facebook status updates, is it simply another self indulgent way of trying to get attention? Take the pictures, we cant stop you, but please don’t post so many albums on Facebook. One or two pictures is ok. We love you, but seeing a photo of your fiancé pinning you against a wall with a seductive stare freaks us out a bit. Just like one or two pictures of a pregnant belly is ok, but we don't need albums upon albums. Again, a little freaky.

We leave this one up to you. No matter what side of the debate you’re on, it is a given that you will come across these photos in the upcoming months.