How Much is Engagement Photography?
If you’re recently engaged, one of the first practical questions that pops up is simple: how much is engagement photography? In Saskatoon, the answer ranges widely. You might have a friend with a camera who offers to do it for free. You might find newer photographers charging a few hundred dollars. Established studios can be closer to $1,000 or more. At MJ&Co., a standalone engagement session is $990. But that number only makes sense when you understand what engagement photography is actually for.
Engagement Photography Pricing in Saskatoon
Engagement photography pricing depends on experience, style, and what is included. Our standalone sessions are typically scheduled on weekday evenings during the nicer months. We build them around sunset light because that is when the images feel soft, flattering, and timeless. Whatever time of year it is, we subtract about 90 minutes from sunset and that becomes our start time. In mid-June, that can mean starting close to 8:00 pm. In early fall, much earlier.
The session itself is about an hour, but we do not rush it. Couples often ask how many edited images they will receive. We promise at least 50. In reality, we deliver all the strong images from the session. We are not interested in holding photos back just to hit a number.
That is the technical side of engagement photography pricing. The more interesting side is why we structure it the way we do.
Why Engagement Photography Is Included in Our Wedding Package
One of the biggest misconceptions about engagement photography is that it always comes bundled with wedding photography. Many photographers treat it as an add-on.
We include engagement sessions in our wedding collection intentionally. Most couples we speak with have never had a professional photography session together. Their wedding day would be the first time they are being guided, posed, and photographed for an extended period. That is a lot of pressure to put on one day. Engagement photography removes that pressure.
It gives couples a low-stakes way to experience what it feels like to work with us. They learn how we guide them. They see how natural the process is. They see the final results. By the time the wedding day arrives, nothing feels unfamiliar. Instead of wondering how photos will go, they can simply enjoy the day.
From our perspective, engagement photography is less about adding more photos and more about making the wedding experience smoother, calmer, and more confident. Plus you can justify going out and getting a new outfit.
If you hire us for your wedding for wedding photography and video, or even just wedding video, you’ll get a keepsake film.
What You’re Really Paying for With Engagement Photography
When someone pays for engagement photography, they are not just paying for an hour with a camera.
They are marking a milestone.
An engagement session celebrates the season between saying yes and saying I do. It is part of the story. Just like buying the dress or planning the bachelor and bachelorette parties, it becomes one of those moments that makes everything feel real.
There is also a practical layer. Engagement sessions act as a sample of the full experience. You see how we work. You feel the rhythm of the session. You see yourself in professional images before your wedding investment is complete.
Interestingly, we have had couples over the years tell us they love their engagement photos even more than their wedding photos. Not because the wedding photos were lacking, but because engagement sessions are relaxed and everyday. You look like yourself, not in formalwear, not hosting a large event. It captures a different side of your relationship.
Wedding photos document the event. Engagement photos document the season.
Both matter, but in different ways.
Are Engagement Photos Necessary?
No. Nothing in wedding photography is strictly necessary.
If photography does not hold value for you, you can skip it entirely. Some couples choose to rely on guest photos. Some keep things minimal. That is completely fine.
Engagement photography makes the most sense for couples who genuinely value storytelling and memory. Couples who want to remember not just what their wedding looked like, but what this stage of life felt like.
We are best suited to serve couples who care about that. Our process, our coaching, and our approach are built around making people feel comfortable and creating images that last.
If that resonates, engagement photography becomes an easy yes.
If it does not, save your money and put it somewhere that matters more to you.
So, How Much Is Engagement Photography?
In simple terms, it can range from free to around $1,000 or more in Saskatoon. At MJ&Co., most couples get it complimentary. The real question is whether documenting this part of your life feels meaningful to you. It becomes part of how you remember where it all began.