Yorkshire Engagement Shoots | Best of 2017

I was going to include a few of these in my previous post, but I ended up with so many that the page wouldn’t load quickly enough and I had to rethink 😀 So instead I thought I’d bring together all of my favourite images from my 2017 Yorkshire engagement shoots in once place, and combine it with a bit more about what an engagement shoot is and why I love them!

I always recommend an engagement shoot (or a pre-wedding shoot if you prefer) to my couples. I would never force it on anyone as that kind of defeats the object but I do think they’re such a great idea; it’s fun (honest!), it helps us to get to know each other, and it really helps to calm the nerves on the big day when you already know that you actually do look good in photographs! Here are some of the most common questions that I get asked about engagement shoots…

1. An engagement shoot? What are you talking about?

For me, an engagement shoot is you two + me + my camera(s!) + a location of your choice (or mine if you can’t think of anywhere!). We spend an hour or so wandering, chatting, and occasionally stopping for a few photographs. Afterwards we might grab a cuppa and chat through logistics and timings for the wedding – I like to have a schedule for the whole day that I can bring with me, plus names of immediate family and wedding party, and a list of any family/friend group photos that you’re wanting (though I try to keep these to a minimum!).

2. We’ve been engaged for a couple of years, aren’t we a bit late for an engagement shoot?

Nope! I suppose the term engagement shoot might be a bit misleading, which is why you’ll also see it called a pre-wedding shoot. So if you’re not yet married then you’re not too late!

3. Why should we have an engagement shoot?

Most importantly it’s a great way for you to get used to being in front of the camera, and to having me photograph you. I like to keep things as relaxed as possible and focus more on a couple interacting than on lots of elaborate posing, but there is always some “positioning” involved. And whilst the two of you will no doubt walk and hold hands and chat and laugh together all the time, it is a bit different when you’re actually asked to do these things, with someone that you don’t actually know that well (yet!) studying you! “Am I standing right?”, “What do I do with my hands?”, “Am I being interesting enough?!” – all things that go through people’s head when being photographed (it can’t just be me??), and all things that I’ll help you with. Then when it comes to your wedding photographs those worries should be gone, and surely that can only be a good thing?!

Secondly it’s a great chance for you guys to get to know me a bit better, and vice versa. I love finding out more about my brides and grooms before the wedding; how you met, the proposal, how the planning is going, what you do for a living, everything! It also helps me to work out what kind of photographs you’re going to like. Some couples find it very easy to get wrapped up in each other which can make for lots of intimate, romantic images. Others are a bit less touchy-feely, and prefer something a bit more active with a lot of belly laughs. Either option works for me! I want your engagement photographs (and wedding photographs for that matter) to be unique to you.

4. Where would we do the shoot?

The options are pretty endless! Sometimes I’ll meet a couple at their wedding venue, especially if it’s a new one for me or has a lot of places that we might not get to on the wedding day (Castle Howard is a good example!). Or it might be somewhere else that has special significance for you, maybe because it’s where you got engaged, or it’s just somewhere that you go to regularly for walks. I’ve done engagement shoots in city centres, parks, woodland, stately homes, farms, the moors, and even just at home (theirs, not mine!). Most of these have been in and around Yorkshire, but I’ve nipped down to Manchester and London too  (though I must mention there’s a small travel fee for that!). So if you do have trouble deciding on a place, I can definitely give you some options!

5. Can we bring our babies and/or fur babies?!

Absolutely! I am very much a dog person so always happy to have them along. And sheep, as you’ll see further down! Outside of weddings I do a lot of baby and family photography, and I have a little girl myself, so munchkins are also always welcome. I normally suggest bringing a grandparent or favourite aunt/uncle along as well to keep the little ones entertained whilst we try and get some shots of just the two of you at some point. This can apply to dogs as well as children! 😀

6. What should we wear?

The main things to avoid are logos or recognisable cartoon characters as the eye tends to be drawn to them in a photo rather than to you (no, that’s not a bonus!). I prefer lighter colours or even just white as I find a lot of black, navy and so on can darken the overall look of the photos. But I also love when a couple dresses to the season – warm colours or a bit of tweed in the autumn for example. You don’t have to be really smart – jeans are completely fine. But maybe not your oldest, comfiest pair with the baggy crotch and ripped hems! 😀 And think about layers in the wintertime, we’ll be outside for around an hour so you’ll want to dress warm, but don’t put on a great outfit and then stick your giant waterproof coat on top! Think jumpers, cardigans, scarves. Wellies are sometimes necessary (I’ll often be sporting a pair myself!), but maybe avoid running shoes in fluorescent colours?! You get the idea!

It’s mostly important that you’re comfortable in what you’re wearing, and that you feel good in it. Also as a side note for any bride-to-be, maybe try and schedule your make up trial for the same day, so that you can see how it all looks in photographs before the wedding?

7. How long before the wedding should we have our engagement shoot?

I usually schedule engagement shoots a couple of months before the wedding so that you have a lot of things in place and we can talk timings and so on afterwards. But I’m happy to do them at any time of year; I’ve done some in autumn for the leaves, and May for the bluebells! Most of my engagement shoots do have to be done during the week as my weekends get booked up with weddings, especially from mid/late spring to early autumn. Something to consider when sorting annual leave for the wedding and honeymoon!

OK, that’s more than enough from me. If you’re looking for a Yorkshire wedding photographer then please do check out my 2017 wedding highlights, and 2016 for that matter! As promised, here are my 2017 “engagement highlights”x