Short answer: engagement photos go by a bunch of names, and they all mean basically the same thing. When couples email me asking about their "engagement shoot," their "e-session," their "pre-wedding photos," or their "couple session," they're all asking me the same thing. So if you've been Googling around and getting confused by the terminology, let me clear it up. I've been photographing and filming weddings in Los Angeles for 17 years, and I use most of these words interchangeably in a single sentence without thinking about it.

Let me walk you through every name you'll hear, what they actually mean, and the one or two cases where the wording genuinely changes what you're booking.

The names you'll actually hear

Here's the full list, and I'll be honest about which ones are just regional or industry slang versus which ones signal something different:

  • Engagement session — the most common, most professional term. This is what most photographers write on their contracts and pricing sheets.
  • Engagement shoot — same thing, slightly more casual. "Shoot" and "session" are 100% interchangeable.
  • E-session — industry shorthand. You'll see this in photographer forums, Instagram captions, and vendor emails. It just means engagement session.
  • Engagement photos / engagement pictures — what most couples say out loud. Nobody in a consultation says "my engagement session commences at 5pm." They say "our engagement photos."
  • Pre-wedding shoot / pre-wedding photos — very common with my Persian, Indian, and South Asian couples here in LA. Culturally it's the same session, sometimes done more elaborately with outfit changes.
  • Couple session / couples shoot — a slightly broader term. Not every couple session is tied to an engagement, but for engaged couples it's the same deal.
  • Save-the-date photos — this is when the engagement photos have a specific job: printing on your save-the-date cards. Same photos, different purpose.
  • Engagement portraits — a more formal, fine-art way of saying it. You'll see this from studios that lean editorial.

So if you're overwhelmed by the vocabulary, relax. Ninety percent of the time these words point to the exact same thing: a photo session of the two of you, before the wedding, that isn't the wedding day.

Honestly, the name doesn't matter. This does.

I'll be blunt: I've never once seen a couple regret their engagement photos because they called them the wrong thing. What they occasionally regret is booking a session without understanding what they were actually getting. The word on the invoice matters far less than the questions underneath it — how long, how many locations, how many final images, and when they get them back.

Most photographers won't say this, but the terminology is often a marketing choice, not a meaningful distinction. A studio that calls it an "engagement portrait experience" and a photographer who says "let's do your e-session" might deliver nearly identical galleries. Don't let the fancier word convince you it's a fancier product. Look at the actual deliverables.

Where the name DOES change what you get

There are a couple of real exceptions where the term signals something different, and these are worth knowing.

Pre-wedding shoot (the elaborate kind)

With a lot of my LA couples — especially cultural weddings in places like Glendale, Encino, and Downtown — a "pre-wedding shoot" can mean something bigger than a standard engagement session. Think multiple outfits, a hair and makeup team, sometimes two or three locations across a day, and a more produced, editorial feel. If your photographer uses "pre-wedding" to describe a half-day production, that's a different scope than a quick 60-minute engagement session at the beach. Clarify the hours. That's the thing that actually changes the price.

Save-the-date session

When someone books "save-the-date photos," I know we have a deadline. Your printer needs the images by a certain date, so we can't shoot the session three weeks before the wedding. If the goal is a save-the-date card, tell me up front, because it changes our timeline. Turnaround suddenly matters a lot.

What I tell couples at the consultation

When a couple sits down with me and asks about "engagement photos," the first thing I do is ignore the label and get to the substance. Here's what I want to nail down, and what you should nail down with any photographer no matter what word they use:

  • How long is the session? Most of mine run 60 to 90 minutes. If you want a second location or an outfit change, plan for closer to two hours. I break the timing down in detail in my guide on how long engagement photos take.
  • How many final images do I get? This trips people up more than the naming. My honest breakdown of how many engagement photos you actually need covers realistic numbers — usually 40 to 75 edited images from a standard session.
  • What's the cost? In LA, standalone engagement sessions typically run anywhere from around $400 to $1,200, and are often included when you book a full wedding package. I get into real numbers in my post on the average cost of engagement photos in Los Angeles.
  • What will they look like? If you've never done this before, seeing examples matters more than any definition. I put together a whole piece on what engagement photos actually look like.

Why I care so much about your engagement session

Here's the part most people skip. Your engagement session is a rehearsal. It's the low-stakes run where you learn how you move in front of a camera, and I learn how you two actually are together — who's shy, who cracks the jokes, whose hands go stiff. By the time your wedding morning arrives, you already trust me, and that shows in every wedding photo afterward.

At ConneryFilm, we run photography and cinematic video under one roof — same team, same shoot day. So when a couple books us, their engagement session isn't just stills. If they've added film, our shooter and I are on the same page about lighting, location, and pacing from that very first session, which means nothing feels bolted-on when the wedding day comes. One team who already knows you beats two strangers scrambling to coordinate.

Where engagement photos happen in LA — and when

Since we're talking Los Angeles, the name of your session matters less than where and when we shoot it. A few things I've learned shooting hundreds of these:

  • El Matador Beach in Malibu is gorgeous but only at low tide and only in the last hour before sunset. Show up midday and it's harsh, crowded, and the light is flat. I schedule these carefully.
  • Downtown rooftops glow at that blue-hour window right after the sun drops — maybe a 20-minute stretch. We shoot fast.
  • Estates and gardens like those in Pasadena or the South Bay hold soft light longer, which is why I love them for couples who feel nervous about being rushed.

Golden hour is the whole game. I schedule almost every engagement session to end at sunset, whatever we're calling it.

Frequently asked questions

Are engagement photos and an engagement session the same thing?

Yes. "Engagement photos" is the everyday phrase, "engagement session" or "engagement shoot" is the industry term for the actual appointment where those photos get made. Same thing, different context.

What does e-session mean?

It's just shorthand for "engagement session." Photographers use it constantly in emails and social media. If your photographer says "let's book your e-session," they mean your engagement photos.

Is a pre-wedding shoot the same as engagement photos?

Usually yes, but sometimes it means a larger, more produced session with multiple outfits and locations — common in cultural weddings here in LA. Always confirm the number of hours and outfit changes so you know the actual scope.

Do I have to do engagement photos at all?

No, they're optional. But I strongly recommend them, mostly because they make you dramatically more comfortable on your wedding day. It's the single best investment in feeling natural in your wedding photos.

What are save-the-date photos?

They're engagement photos with a job — they get printed on your save-the-date cards. Same session, but the deadline matters, so book early enough to leave time for editing and printing.

If you're planning a Los Angeles wedding and want engagement photos — whatever you'd like to call them — I'd genuinely love to hear about your day and where you're picturing them. Call or text 818.749.7039 or reach out through ConneryFilm.com, and we'll figure out the perfect spot and the perfect light together.

Meet the Author: Connery Davoodian Hello, I'm Connery Davoodian, the visionary behind ConneryFilm, and I'm thrilled to share insights from my 17-year journey through the world of wedding photography and videography. My passion extends beyond simply capturing images; it's about artfully weaving your unique love story into a timeless, cinematic masterpiece. My artistic path began long before I ever picked up a camera, deeply rooted in music as a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. This diverse background in directing, producing, and editing has cultivated a unique perspective, allowing me to approach each wedding not just as an event, but as a dynamic narrative waiting to be beautifully told. This blend of technical mastery and creative storytelling is the heartbeat of ConneryFilm, ensuring that every frame, every shot, and every film is infused with depth, emotion, and unparalleled artistic integrity. At ConneryFilm, we believe your wedding memories deserve nothing less than bespoke luxury. My philosophy centers on capturing the authentic, unscripted moments – the genuine smiles, the tender glances, the joyful laughter – that truly define your day. While we obsess over exquisite details and sophisticated aesthetics, our true joy comes from making you feel completely at ease, like a "friendor" who genuinely celebrates alongside you. This calm, organized presence allows your true personalities to shine, resulting in images and films that are as real and vibrant as your love itself. Based in the heart of Los Angeles, California, my team and I are privileged to serve couples across the globe, bringing our signature high-end wedding photography and videography to destination weddings worldwide. Through these blog posts, I aim to share invaluable insights, luxurious inspiration, and practical, fun advice to guide you through your wedding planning journey, helping you make informed decisions about preserving your most cherished moments. Thank you for trusting ConneryFilm to be a part of your extraordinary adventure. I'm excited to share my knowledge and passion with you, helping you create memories that will last forever.