Advice for brides and grooms - Do I need an engagement shoot?
I don't think I have a single couple who come to me and say 'we love having our photo taken!' More often I have couples trying to figure out how they can spend less time in front of the camera and more time with their family and friends enjoying the day. I'm pretty good at striking that balance - enough time that we can create some really special portraits of the two of you in a natural and relaxed way whilst getting you back to your guests for most of the reception time.
Engagement shoot in Central London
One of my favourite engagement shoots from the last year was David and Louise in London. I usually suggest sunrise or sunset to capture the best light. Sunrise being preferably as the city is so quiet at that time - and since we did this shoot on a bank holiday Monday we had the place to ourselves. No awkward audiences and an incredibly special experience. We started out at St Paul's and wandered down to the Embankment. Whenever I get an opportunity to see the city with fresh eyes like this I fall in love with London all over again.
Pre-wedding photoshoot
One way in which to speed up the process on the day is to have a pre-wedding shoot. This can be a great opportunity to create some imagery for your save the date cards or wedding website if you have one. It can also be good if you are soon to move home or if there is a special spot in London where you got engaged or have great memories.
But... it also serves as a fantastic way to start to feel relaxed in front of the camera so that on the wedding day you not only trust me but we can work together to more quickly create those wow images where you really look and feel relaxed and yourselves.
“..WE COULDN’T BE HAPPIER WITH THE PHOTOS. WE WILL KEEP THEM FOR DECADES. WE WENT EARLY MORNING TO OUR LOCAL PARK AND THE LIGHTING AND ANGLES SHE CHOSE CAME OUT AS STUNNING IN THE PHOTOS. SHE IS GREAT TO WORK WITH, AND HAD A FEW TECHNIQUES TO MAKE US LAUGH AND RELAX. SHE WAS ABLE TO SEND BACK THE FINISHED COPIES VERY QUICKLY, WHICH MADE FOR A GREAT EXPERIENCE FROM START TO FINISH. SHE IS INCREDIBLY PROFESSIONAL, CAPTURES HIGH QUALITY PHOTOS, AND I WOULD RECOMMEND TO ANYONE THAT IS LOOKING FOR A PHOTOGRAPHER TO CAPTURE “IN THE MOMENT” PHOTOS”
“A FANTASTIC WAY TO START TO FEEL RELAXED IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA SO THAT ON THE WEDDING DAY YOU NOT ONLY TRUST ME BUT WE CAN WORK TOGETHER TO MORE QUICKLY CREATE THOSE WOW IMAGES WHERE YOU REALLY LOOK AND FEEL RELAXED AND YOURSELVES. IT’S ALSO A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO BRING IN YOUR KIDS, DOGS AND HOME. WHENEVER I GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THE CITY WITH FRESH EYES LIKE THIS I FALL IN LOVE WITH LONDON ALL OVER AGAIN.”
