Wondering where to have your engagement photoshoot? | C & J: Engagement at home

I have recently photographed C & J for their engagement session prior to their wedding and then at their wedding day in Chalk Farm, London just a couple of weeks ago. I love how these engagement photographs turned out. In such a short space of time we captured a variety of relaxed and natural shots in two locations of their choice.

When couples ask me where to shoot their engagement session, I usually suggest a couple of things:

1. A location that means something special to them. It could be where they got engaged, where they first met, a cafe they like to hang out in, their favourite take-away coffee shop, a park where they share memorable moments, or even their own home… It has to mean something rather than a random choice. If they have not been there before, then it could be somewhere they’ve always wanted to go to and visit.

2. Something a little different from their wedding. For example, if their wedding is in a city location, built-up, plenty of roads and cars and people, then I ask them to think of somewhere more green, perhaps at a park, or somewhere that looks a bit more like the countryside – if not actually in the country, big open spaces, a heritage area they want to visit… Built-up locations and green, tree-lined parks offer very different outcomes in terms of photographs and it would be a good idea to try and have both: one for the engagement and the other for the wedding.

C & J chose their home which they share and of course is special to them. They hadn’t had a photoshoot before and I didn’t want them to feel awkward. I suggested drinking coffee, reading the paper… things that they naturally do and make them feel relaxed. And then we went for a walk to the local church’s backyard where they were to hold their wedding reception. And voila, we were done! Short, fun, relaxed, natural. Just the way we like it!

Don’t forget to follow me on, Instagram @lilysawyerphotographyTwitter @lilysawyerphoto and Facebook for more creative and wedding features coming up!