Beyond the Lens
Photography Tips, Stories & Education
Welcome to Beyond the Lens, where we share photography tips and education drawn from over a decade of real sessions, weddings, and studio work. This is where the practical side of what we do meets the stories behind it. Whether you’re a photographer looking to sharpen your craft or a client curious about what goes into the images we create, there’s something here for you.
Photography Tips Worth Reading
We write about what we actually do. That means lighting breakdowns from real sessions, posing techniques we use with families and couples, honest takes on gear, editing workflows, and the business side of running a photography studio. Some of these posts are technical. Others are stories from behind the camera. All of them come from our own experience, not theory.
Here’s what you’ll find across the blog:
- Lighting and composition from real shoots
- Posing and directing for natural portraits
- Location scouting across Wisconsin and beyond
- Editing and workflow tips
- Business, pricing, and client experience
- Behind-the-scenes stories from sessions and weddings
Want to go deeper? One conference we speak at every year is ShutterFest in St. Louis, MO. It’s one of the best hands-on photography conferences in the country, with live shoots, real education, and a community that takes the craft seriously.
We’re also proud to speak at the 2026 Professional Photography Business Network (PPBN) Conference, featuring an Australian community built around helping photographers grow their businesses through accountability, training, and real support from people who’ve been in the trenches.
Our Latest Posts
Photography Session Locations in Madison, WI | Top 15 Spots
After years of scouting Madison in every season, we've mapped out 15 spots that genuinely shift how your photos look and feel. From hidden wetland boardwalks to prairie fields bursting with wildflowers, each location has its own light, texture, and story. Here's where we actually take our clients.
Engagement Sessions: What They Do for Your Wedding Photos
Engagement sessions aren't just about great photos, they're your chance to practice together before the big day arrives. By the time your wedding rolls around, we already know how you move, laugh, and exist as a couple, which means less posing stress and more authentic moments that actually feel like you.
The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Your Wisconsin Wedding Photographer
Choosing the right Wisconsin wedding photographer is about so much more than a pretty portfolio, it's about finding someone who gets your vision and stays by your side all day. We're breaking down the six must-know tips that'll help you avoid hiring your cousin with an iPhone and actually find a pro who delivers.
Pride is Our Love | LGBTQ+ Inclusive Wedding and Portrait Photographers
Standing beside couples as they celebrate their love without apology is at the heart of what we do. This post explores why we refuse to separate LGBTQ+ weddings into their own category, because a wedding is a wedding, and every commitment deserves to be honored with full dignity and respect.
Micro Wedding | An Alternative to a Traditional Celebration
Thinking smaller doesn't mean less meaningful. Discover why couples are trading massive guest lists for intimate gatherings, and how a micro wedding captures the moments that actually matter in just a few focused hours.
Wedding Day Details Are More Than Photos of Shoes
Every petal, every heirloom, every stolen glance tells a story. We're capturing the details that matter most, not just the rings and flowers, but the quiet moments and raw emotions that make your day uniquely yours.
Looking for Our Session and Wedding Stories?
Stories from Real Weddings & Sessions
Beyond the Lens is our photography tips and education hub. But if you’re here to see our actual work, that’s a different collection. Our session and wedding blog features hundreds of real stories from locations across Wisconsin and beyond. Browse by category, explore specific venues, or just scroll through and see what catches your eye. Every post is a real couple, a real family, a real moment.
FAQs About Beyond the Lens
What topics does the Beyond the Lens blog cover?
We cover a wide range of photography tips and education, including lighting, posing, location scouting, editing workflows, gear, business strategy, pricing, and behind-the-scenes stories from real sessions and weddings. Everything comes from our own experience at Twig & Olive Photography.
Who writes the photography education content on this blog?
All of our content is written by the Twig & Olive team based in Madison, Wisconsin. We draw from over a decade of shooting sessions and weddings across the state and around the country. We also speak at photography conferences such as ShutterFest on many of the same topics.