Why Engagement Sessions Matter
Your engagement is a unique moment in your relationship – you’re no longer just dating but not quite married yet. It’s a transitional time filled with excitement, planning, and anticipation. And while wedding photography captures your huge milestone together, an engagement session tells the story of who you are as a couple before that day arrives.
That’s why we include complementary engagement sessions with our wedding packages. These sessions aren’t just about getting great photos – they’re a trial run for your wedding day. They give us the chance to learn about you – how you interact, whether you’re naturally affectionate or more low-key, and what makes you laugh. At the same time, they give you the opportunity to get comfortable with us, our shooting style, and what to expect when the big day arrives. And we’re not the only ones who think this!
By the time your wedding rolls around, you’ll already know what to expect. There’s no awkward first 20 minutes figuring out what to do with your hand, no stress about “posing” – just natural, relaxed moments that feel like you. And if nothing else, it’s a great excuse to step away from wedding planning and just enjoy each other for a bit.
Why We Love Engagement Sessions
We Learn Who You Are as a Couple
Of all the vendors you interact with on your wedding day, you’ll spend the most time with your photographers. If you’ve already had an engagement session with us, we walk into your wedding knowing so much more – how you interact, whether you love big romantic gestures or prefer a laid-back approach, whether you’re naturally silly or more reserved.
Some couples want traditional, intimate portraits, while others want to crack jokes and keep things light. Your engagement session helps us see what feels natural for you so that you’re not thinking about the camera when the wedding day comes – you’re just in the moment. This means less posing stress for you and more authentic, beautiful images.
It Makes for Better Wedding Day Photos
Simply put: an engagement session makes your wedding photos better. When we’ve spent time with you beforehand, we already know the best angles, what gets you to relax, and how to work with your energy as a couple. You get to see how quickly and efficiently we work, which always has guys saying, “Well, that wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be” (which honestly is a huge compliment). This makes wedding-day photography feel effortless, so you can enjoy your day without worrying about “what to do” in photos.
Not in the Cards? No Problem
If an engagement session doesn’t fit your schedule right now, it’s not a dealbreaker. Yours never expires – you can use it later as a one-year anniversary session or even a post-wedding casual shoot.
Why You Should Have an Engagement Session with Twig & Olive
Pause the Planning
Planning a wedding is no joke – budgets, logistics, family opinions (some more helpful than others). It can be overwhelming, and it’s easy to lose sight of why you’re doing all of it in the first place. An engagement session is a reason to step away from the to-do lists, take a deep breath, and just focus on each other for a while.
We Handle the Details
Not sure where or when to schedule your session? That’s where we come in. Tell us the overall vibe you want—modern, natural, urban, cozy—and we’ll handle the scouting, timing, and logistics. We’ll also make sure the light is perfect for the look you want (which matters more than most people realize).
If you’re planning Save the Date cards, we recommend scheduling your engagement session at least nine months before the wedding to allow time for edits and printing.
Make It a Date Night (or Day!)
Since you’re already dressed up, why not turn your engagement session into a full experience? Many couples use it as an excuse for a mini getaway—book a hotel, grab dinner at that place you’ve been meaning to try, or even plan a weekend road trip. You don’t have to go far to make it a special event. We love date-night-out engagement sessions too!
Explore a Different Look
Your engagement session doesn’t have to look anything like your wedding. Maybe your wedding is in a rustic barn, but you want engagement photos with a sleek, modern city feel. Or maybe you’re getting married in the summer, but you want cozy, fall-themed engagement photos. This is your chance to get variety in your images and showcase a different side of your relationship.
Want to Travel? So Do We.
If you’re craving a change of scenery, we can meet you somewhere new. We’re always on the road for shoots and weddings, and there’s no extra charge for destination engagement sessions if we’re already in the area. (We can also plan for other locations too – we’ve shot in all 50 states and 20 countries!)
Want to escape a blustery winter? Meet us in Phoenix in February. Want a coastal vibe? We’ll be in Charleston in the spring. You just have to show up—we’ll take care of the rest.
➡️ Check Our Travel Schedule
Thinking Bigger? Consider a Styled Engagement Session
If you want something extra, our styled engagement sessions offer a totally customized experience.
- Choose anywhere in the continental U.S.
- We do all the scouting and planning ahead of time.
- We work with top local vendors for wardrobe, florals, and details.
- We shoot at multiple locations for a variety of looks.
- And when it’s all done? We’ll probably grab a drink to celebrate.
Styled sessions let you create something cinematic, unique, and truly one of a kind.
Final Thoughts on Engagement Sessions
Your engagement is a short but important chapter in your story. Wedding photos capture the day you say “I do,” but an engagement session captures the journey leading up to that moment – the excitement, the anticipation, and who you are as a couple before the wedding-day whirlwind.
It’s also the best way to make sure you feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera on your wedding day. And if nothing else? You get beautiful, meaningful photos to look back on.
