I entered a quilt in the AQS modern quilt challenge. I washed and dried and then blocked it before pics. It was accepted. For my quilt it was important to the final look that it be washed and dried. I also think quilting looks a bit better after a little refreshing. But that is JMO. I do know that quilts photographed for publication are not typically washed and dried first. I think it all depends on the quilt, style, maker, etc.