Engagement Sessions vs. Adventure Sessions: How to Choose the Right Experience for You
2/23/2026
If you’re recently engaged and thinking about booking an engagement session, you might be wondering, what’s the difference between a regular engagement session and an adventure session? And more importantly, which one is actually right for you?
I get this question all the time. But before we dive into the specifics, I want to share something with you: there’s no single “right” type of session. The best choice depends on how you and your partner spend time together, what feels grounding versus energizing to you, and what kind of experience you want to create.
Some couples light up at the idea of a sunrise hike in the White Mountains and getting to witness the morning’s first light hitting the peaks. Others would rather spend an hour wandering around their neighborhood or curled up at home with coffee. Both create beautiful, meaningful photos; they just tell different stories about who you are.
So let’s break down what makes each type of session different, who they work best for, and how to figure out what feels most like you.
What A Couples Photo Session Is Really About (Beyond the Photos)
Before we dive into the differences between engagement photos and adventure photos, I want to talk about something that applies to both types of sessions.
When you book an engagement session or adventure session with me, you’re giving yourself dedicated time and space to connect with your partner. To enjoy an experience together that honors part of your relationship and to genuinely have fun. You’re creating these little moments of joy and connection that you’ll remember long after our time together is over.
My Documentary Approach to Couples Photography
Most couples I work with are looking for documentary-style photographs. These photos capture you truly in the moment, with little to no directing from me. After 10+ years of photographing couples, I’ve gotten pretty good at helping people feel comfortable and guiding them when needed to build connection and genuine laughter.
But true documentary photography happens when I step back entirely and let everything in front of me unfold naturally. Learn more about what documentary photography means to me and how I approach every couples session or wedding.
Most couples freeze up a little on camera. That’s completely normal. So some gentle guidance can be helpful to get you as close to your “flow state” as possible (almost like I was never there in the first place and you were just hanging out together normally).
Getting Comfortable Before Your Wedding Day
By giving yourselves the opportunity to experience a session before your wedding day, you’re letting your nervous system get used to what it feels like to go on an experience together when there’s another person there capturing it. It makes you more comfortable with me, but more importantly, it makes you more comfortable with yourselves.
I always tell couples: think about how you are when no one’s around, how you cuddle, how you intentionally love each other. That’s what we’re aiming for in your session. I’m there to help make the camera and me disappear (or at least feel not at all intimidating), but you’re also a huge part of setting that tone.
I don’t want your session to be a performance, just like I don’t want your wedding day to be either. I want you to be yourselves and to really feel the experience and enjoyment of each other’s company.
Traditional Engagement Sessions
What to Expect During Your Engagement Session
My engagement sessions (I also call them couples sessions) are 60 minutes at a single location. We’ll spend that time together in a place that already means something to you, or we’ll find somewhere new that fits who you are as a couple.
Most couples choose their location one of two ways:
- Somewhere meaningful. Your home, the neighborhood where you grew up, a grandparent’s house, a spot you visit together often, or your favorite date spot. This option is great if you want your session to feel calm, grounded and familiar.
- Somewhere new. If you love the outdoors but don’t have a specific location in mind, I’ll help you find a field, forest, or outdoor spot that feels like you. This option allows you to explore a new place together and works really well if your relationship thrives on exploration.
Most couples stick with one outfit for the session, though you’re welcome to bring something to change into if you want variety.
What to Wear for Your Engagement Photoshoot
Speaking of outfits, this is one of the most common questions couples have when planning their photo session.
Your outfit choices will depend on your location, what activities you have planned, and the weather.
No matter what environment you’re in, though, I recommend that you wear something that feels like you. Whether that’s your favorite jeans and cozy sweaters or something a bit more dressed up, the most important thing is that you feel comfortable and confident. I’m always happy to talk through outfit ideas during our planning process if you want some guidance.
Who Engagement Sessions Work Best For
Your engagement session is a beautiful opportunity to tell your story together. This can look a lot of different ways, but engagement sessions specifically tend to work really well for:
- Couples who’ve never been photographed together professionally and want to use this as a chance to get comfortable in front of a camera before their wedding day
- Couples who don’t often take photos together and would love to finally have some memories captured (you don’t have to be engaged to book one of my couples sessions)
- Couples who want to create guest books or wedding invitations using images from their session
- Couples whose schedules don’t line up with my adventure session travel dates, but still want to create and document a meaningful experience
Real Examples of Couples Sessions
Want to see what an engagement session looks like in real life? Here are some examples from my cutie couples.
Donna and Chris live in Brooklyn, so we did their couples session around their home streets and up on their roof. This session was a beautiful way to document the neighborhood that has been such a big part of their life together.
Jillian and Zack are eloping in 2026, and they chose to book a couples session before their wedding. They’re groundskeepers for an estate in Boston and live on the property, so we honored their home and the work they do there. We even captured a sweet pickleball moment at the end, which is something they love doing together.
Mikaela and Matt did their engagement photos at Matt’s grandma’s house. With most of the family not in state anymore, it was special to get photos of his grandma’s home and some with her before their wedding.
Brianne and Max kept their engagement session simple. We spent an hour frolicking around a field, and this time together really gave them a moment to slow down and take time for themselves.
Most of my couples walk away saying their session was SO much fun and that it really gave them a chance to slow down, be present with each other, and soak in this season of life. These moments of connection leave them feeling even more excited for their wedding day and their marriage together.
Adventure Sessions: For Couples Who Love the Outdoors
So what makes adventure sessions different? It’s not just about location; it’s about how the whole experience unfolds. With adventure sessions, there’s often a little more movement, exploration, and more time to let the day breathe.
What Makes a Session an “Adventure”
An adventure session isn’t just about hiking (though it can be). It’s about incorporating activities that allow you to really dictate the path and journey of the session while I photograph and capture from more of a background role. With couples sessions, I’m a little more hands-on since we have a shorter amount of time, but with adventure sessions, I’m willing to step back and let your experience together lead the way.
Here’s an example of what an adventure session could look like:
You and your partner plan a weekend away to the Catskills to get away from the hustle and bustle of life. You plan out multiple little adventures – maybe stopping for breakfast at Phoenicia Diner, spending a few hours antique shopping, stopping at Stamford Coffee, or going on a small hike up one of your favorite mountain trails. I join you for a portion of time to document that part of your story.
Best Locations for Adventure Photos in New England
With adventure sessions, the location options open up a bit more.
The Adirondacks have lots of smaller trails to adventure around, lakes to canoe on, or fields to frolic through. Some popular places are Whiteface Mountain, Heart Lake, or Marcy Field. If you’re interested in planning an adventure session in the Adirondacks, check out my location guide here. It’s geared towards elopements, but many of the locations also work great for adventure sessions.
The White Mountains span across New Hampshire and Maine, and there’s so much to explore. Smaller hikes paired with open fields (Mount Willard and Franconia Notch are favorites), lakes for kayaking, and even a scenic gondola if you want sprawling mountain views without the effort of climbing.
These are just a few of the best adventure session locations in New England, especially if you love mountains, water, and the feeling of being tucked into nature. For even more location ideas, check out my favorite New England locations that are great year-round, but especially stunning in the fall.
How Adventure Sessions Differ From Engagement Sessions
Logistically, adventure sessions involve more planning. You’ll get a vision questionnaire (just like with engagement sessions), but it goes deeper into locations and helps me find the best spot for what you’re envisioning.
We’ll also have a logistics call where we review and map out the timeline together. I’ll usually offer you two timeline options to choose from.
Adventure sessions also tend to run longer than the traditional 60-minute engagement session. They usually last 90 minutes to a few hours, depending on what we’re doing and how much movement is involved.
Who Adventure Sessions Work Best For
Adventure sessions can be for anyone, though they tend to resonate most with:
- Couples who spend time together outdoors hiking, boating, biking, camping together, or whose hobbies are naturally adventurous
- Couples who want to take a special weekend trip and document a portion. For travel adventure sessions, I only offer them if I’m already traveling to specific locations, so it often works best for couples whose schedule aligns and want to turn it into a special getaway. To see where I’ll be throughout the year, take a look at my travel page.
Real Examples of Adventure Sessions
Molly and Andrew are big hikers. They had their wedding at Onteora Mountain House with a big wedding weekend, but they also wanted to honor their love for adventure. So they got the best of both worlds and planned an adventure session just for themselves before their larger celebration.
Maura and Sheehan did an adventure couples session to honor their elopement. They’d eloped hiking a 4,000-foot mountain, but chose a shorter hike in the Whites later that same week to commemorate the experience.
Laura and Kerri hiked a 4,000-footer in the White Mountains with me for a sunrise session. Hiking the 4,000-footers of this area is important to them, so we planned this session to honor it. This was honestly the biggest adventure session I’ve done, but we also did a little couples session later that day, where they got to relax at their cabin at Lumen Retreat after the big adventure.
Kels and Emily met me in the Whites for a 90-minute adventure session at two locations. We started with a small picnic in an easily accessible field overlooking mountains, then honored their love for the outdoors by exploring along a river in another location. We didn’t do a big hike. Instead, their session was more about blending a little bit of adventure with some couple session vibes.
How to Choose Which Session Type Feels Like You
Before we get into the practical questions, I want to share something I’ve noticed after photographing love stories for 10+ years. Most couples don’t get professional photos done often – and I’m not just talking about any professional photos, but an elevated experience where you’re really capturing your enjoyment as a pair and in life.
After their wedding, people generally don’t come back for couples photos until they decide to have a family. Maybe you’ll get a photo here and there at a friend’s wedding or special event. But to capture a part of who you are, in a place you love, before your marriage? That doesn’t happen often.
So whether you choose a traditional engagement session or an adventure session, you’re honoring this season and creating something intentional that’s just for you. And beyond the photos themselves, these sessions help you build trust with your photographer, feel more relaxed on your wedding day, and create memories that are just about celebrating who you are right now.
With that in mind, here are a few questions to help you decide which type of session feels right:
- How do you normally spend time together?
- Do you love being outdoors, or do you prefer indoor locations?
- Do you want quiet or movement? Some couples find peace in stillness. Others feel most connected when they’re moving and exploring together.
The most important thing to remember when deciding between an engagement session vs an adventure session is to prioritize what’s comfortable for you over what you think your session should look like. If sunrise hikes aren’t your thing, don’t book one just because it looks beautiful on Instagram. Your session should feel like you, not like someone else’s version of adventure.
How I Help You Design Your Session Experience
No matter which type of session feels right to you, we’ll work together throughout the entire process to design something that’s uniquely yours.
You’ll get my travel schedule and a vision questionnaire. Between those two things, we choose a location that works best for what you’re envisioning. Then I’ll find a handful of locations and activities for you to choose from.
Some couples already have an idea and a specific spot they want, which is great. It just means I plan out the best time for the season, lighting, and crowds.
All adventure sessions also come with a logistics call since there’s more planning involved.
No matter which option you choose, I’m here to help guide the experience, so it feels seamless and authentic to your relationship and story.
Ready to Explore Your Session Options?
Whether you’re drawn to a traditional engagement session in a place that means something to you, or an adventurous morning in the mountains, I’d love to help you create an experience that feels completely like you.
These sessions aren’t just about getting photos (though yes, you’ll love your photos). They’re about taking time to be present together, to slow down, and to celebrate this little moment in your life before the wedding whirlwind really picks up.
Ready to book? Reach out to me to explore your session options, check my travel schedule, or ask any questions. I can’t wait to hear your story and help you document an experience that feels like you.
