A lot of couples don’t fully know what an engagement session is until they’re already in the middle of planning their wedding.

They’ve seen the photos, know it’s something people do, but no one’s really explained what it’s for, or why it might actually matter.

So it ends up feeling optional in the same way that something gets labeled “optional” when it hasn’t been fully understood yet.

What an Engagement Session Actually Is

At the most basic level, it’s a photo session that happens before your wedding.

That’s the definition, but it doesn’t really explain the point.

From my perspective as a photographer, an engagement session is a slower, lower-pressure space to be photographed together. There’s no timeline, expectations or guests watching. It’s just the two of you, figuring out how this whole thing feels before the big day. 

It’s also one of the only times your relationship gets documented during this season. Not the wedding day version of it. 

Why Some Photographers Include It and Others Don’t

This is where things vary a lot, and it’s usually less about right or wrong and more about how each photographer works.

Some include engagement sessions in their packages because they see it as part of the full experience (I do!). It helps them understand how you interact, what feels natural, what doesn’t, and how to guide you without over-directing. By the time the wedding day comes around, nothing feels new.

Others keep it as an add-on. Sometimes that’s about flexibility, especially for couples planning destination weddings. Not everyone wants one, and not every timeline makes space for it.

So instead of building it in, they leave the decision up to you.

Why Engagement Sessions are Included in my Wedding Packages

I offer engagement sessions in my wedding packages for couples who want that extra layer of comfort going into their wedding day. The ones who don’t want to spend the first hour of their wedding figuring out how to stand, where to look, or what to do with their hands.

It’s a chance to get familiar with the process before it actually matters.

A lot of couples come in a little unsure of themselves. By the end of the session, they’re relaxed in a way that carries over into everything else.

The Different Types of Engagement Sessions

If you spent 5 minutes on Google, you’re already starting to realize you have options for what kind of engagement session you can choose from. However, most engagement sessions tend to fall into 3 categories: traditional, experiential, and adventure/epic. 

Traditional Engagement Sessions

This is the most straightforward version.

A good location, intentional outfits, and a mix of gentle direction and natural moments. Nothing is overly complicated. It’s just a solid, comfortable session that gives you space to ease into being photographed.

This works well for couples who want something simple and clean without overthinking it.

Check out this traditional engagement session at Roswell Mill. 

Experiential Engagement Sessions

These feel a little more like real life.

Instead of standing in one place and taking photos, you’re doing something together. Cooking dinner, grabbing coffee, walking your usual route, spending time at home. The focus shifts from posing to interacting.

The photos end up feeling more personal because they actually reflect how you spend time together.

If that feels more like your pace, you’ll probably like these fun couples photoshoot ideas. 

Epic/Adventure Engagement Sessions

These are more experience-driven.

They usually involve a location that requires a little more effort to get to, or a place that means something specific to you. Mountains, coastlines, travel destinations, anywhere that turns the session into more than just a quick shoot.

The photos tend to feel bigger, but the experience itself is what people remember most.

I go deeper into destination engagement sessions here.

How to Choose Which Engagement Session is for You

If you’re looking for something simple and easy, go the traditional route.
Want something that feels like their everyday life? Experiential is a great option!
Looking for a whole experience? Epic/Adventure! 

None of those are better than the others.

It usually comes down to how you want to remember this season. Clean and classic, familiar and lived-in, or something that feels a little more like an adventure.

If you’re still narrowing it down, this guide on how to plan a fun, playful engagement session is a good next step.

If You’re Deciding Whether to Do One

You don’t need an engagement session to have a good wedding day, but it does make the experience easier.

Engagement sessions give you space to settle into it, without a timeline or an audience. And for a lot of couples, that ends up being the difference between feeling unsure and feeling completely at ease.

If you want a few more ideas before deciding, I have a full list of cute couples photo ideas for your engagement session.