engagement sessions: beyond the ordinary
At The Joy Collective, we believe that every love story is unique, and every moment deserves to be captured in its purest, most authentic form. As photographers and videographers, we’re passionate about shooting sessions—there’s no doubt about that. But over the years, we've realized that something was always missing. It wasn’t the camera gear, the lighting, or the angles. It was something deeper: connection.
Why Connection matters to us
In 2025, we're taking our client experiences to an entirely new level because we believe a session should be more than just a series of beautiful photos or a well-edited video. It should be about you. We want to walk away from every session knowing you better, understanding the nuances of your relationship, and feeling like we’ve truly connected with your story.
A one-hour session? It’s not enough. A 30-minute mini-session? We can capture the moments, but to us, it’s never enough to truly understand the essence of who you are as a couple. We want to dive deeper. We want to hear your laugh, feel your energy, and experience the little inside jokes, the unspoken looks, and the quiet moments of tenderness that make your love unique.
It’s not just about creating beautiful imagery—it’s about creating a narrative. We don’t just want to take photos; we want to document the why behind them. And that takes time. It takes trust. It takes connection.
engagement sessions: one that will stick with me
One of my absolute favorite engagement sessions to date has to be with Gracie and Evan, a couple I’m beyond excited to see get married in 2025. What made this session even more special was a serendipitous twist: long before I met Gracie and Evan, I found out that Evan and I (Desiree) actually grew up in church together!
Gracie and Evan are no strangers to the vibrant energy of Washington, DC. Though they both hail from the Richmond area and serve at church at The Chapel, they've come to absolutely love spending time in the heart of the city. So, when it came time for their engagement photos, there couldn’t have been a better place than DC itself. We began at the National Gallery of Art, where the timeless beauty of the architecture and the masterpieces within its walls provided the perfect backdrop for their love story. We wandered through their favorite rooms, capturing moments that documented their love with intentionality and authenticity.
But the adventure didn’t end there. After Gracie and Evan changed into a second set of outfits, we hit the streets of DC to continue our session. They led me to one of their favorite coffee shops, Tatte, a cozy spot that perfectly fits their vibe. On our way, we stumbled upon the most unexpected and delightful discovery—an adorable Christmas town right in the middle of the road! It was a spontaneous stop, and we spent some time exploring the cute pop-up shops and soaking in the festive atmosphere.
As we continued our walk, Gracie and Evan shared stories of their trips to DC, favorite memories they’ve made in the city, and pointed out all the charming lights along the way. It was one of those moments where the true essence of who they are—fun-loving, thoughtful, and full of joy—shone through.
We wrapped up the night at Tatte, where Gracie and Evan treated themselves to a sweet dessert and a latte. I captured their sweet date through the windows, then sat down with them to chat about life after the wedding and all the exciting things they have ahead.
It was an evening full of laughter, love, and unexpected moments—everything that makes an engagement session so special.
Engagement sessions: a change of heart
After that session, I immediately called Shane and said, "I wish every session could be like that." I couldn’t stop talking about how personal it felt and how I genuinely connected with Evan and Gracie. It wasn’t just about taking pictures and moving on—it was about real, meaningful interaction. I can’t imagine just showing up, snapping a few photos, and then disappearing until the wedding. That would feel so disconnected, and I never want to be that photographer.
Of course, we won't be best friends with every single client, but if we can truly get to know the ones we do work with—if we can engage in meaningful conversations and share laughter over the little things—then we’ve done our job. That session was a turning point for me. It changed the way I view engagement sessions and how I approach sessions and weddings as a creative.
lets go all in
We believe engagement sessions should never feel rushed or forced to fit a strict timeline or specific location. The best photos come when you’re in an environment you love, surrounded by people you trust, and free from the pressure of time. Whether you want one location or two, a couple of outfits or three, or even a coffee break at your favorite café, we’re all for it. If you want to grab pizza at your go-to spot or incorporate a hobby you both love—count us in! We want your session (and your wedding day) to feel like you, capturing not just beautiful photos but the real moments that represent who you are, the memories you share, and the things you love to do together.
