Newcastle pre-wedding photo shoot - Jesmond Dene

Pre-wedding photographer for Newcastle and Durham in Jesmond Dene

It occurred to me that I hadn’t blogged a pre-wedding photo shoot for quite a while. So having completed one with Holly & Fraser just the other day I thought I’d put that right and explain what to expect if you book a pre-wedding shoot, engagement or couples photo shoot with me. Many of my wedding packages include a pre-wedding shoot. It’s a great way for the couple to get to know me and vice versa. I can also offer pre-wedding shoots as standalone bookings.

Holly & Fraser had booked me to cover their wedding with my ‘True Love’ package which included a pre-wedding shoot as part of the wedding photo package. Some couples like to do this on the beach, the woods, or an urban environment like the Quayside. I’ll go anywhere! Holly & Fraser decided they’re like to do their photos in Jesmond Dene in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

After checking the weather the day before, we met about 90 minutes before sunset. Evenings or early morning tend to be better for the light and places are often quieter too

Usually, the first thing one or both of the couple will say to me is, ‘I don’t take a good picture’, ‘I’m not very photogenic’, or, ‘I hate being in front of the camera’, or some variation on this. In this case it was Fraser telling me this as we captured the two gorgeous photos above!

99% of couples who do a pre-wedding shoot with me say they feel so much more relaxed about the prospect of their wedding photos after and feel vastly more chilled in front of the camera than they did before. Result!

Whatever sort of photos I’m taking, whether it’s a pre-wedding shoot like this, a wedding, family photo shoot or a boudoir photo session, I have a very relaxed way of working. People don’t look good when stressed or being ordered around so my aim is to keep it light and easy, just take things as they come and be ready to capture the magic.

Generally the pattern is walk a bit. Chat. A couple of photos. Walk a bit more. Chat. Photo. You get the idea. It’s lovely to have a bit of space and time to learn more about the couple I’m working with and when the wedding comes it’s so much nicer to not feel that you are joining them on their big day as a stranger.

The light in Jesmond Dene was perfect for photos. Nice and soft and flattering but with enough definition to make the photos pop a little.

Having said it was good to do photos in the evening as places were quieter it was actually very busy in Jesmond Dene. Although I don’t think you’d guess it from the photos. We managed to pick the right moments and the right angles so it seems that Holly & Fraser were the only ones left on Earth!

I do love a bit of a Wes Anderson style wedding photo. So lets get some practise in!

As well as a chance to get to know one another it’s also a chance for the couple to get a feel for what it’s like in front of the camera, learn how I work, and experience a few (very relaxed) moves (I don’t like to call them poses as it sounds so stiff, formal and static).

I spent a gorgeous hour in Jesmond Dene with Holly & Fraser doing what I love - capturing special movements with special people. They were both so delightful to work with and when it’s like that my job really doesn’t feel like work at all. Who minds being paid to have fun?! I posted some sneak peeks to Holly’s Instagram the following morning and they received their gallery of over 100 edited, hi res images a few days later. The time can’t go quick enough now for me now to ensure their wedding day at one of my favourite wedding venues, Ellingham Hall, next year. We’re going to capture some stunning photos!

As well as including pre-wedding photo shoots in Newcastle and Durham in many of my wedding packages (which also include an optional free bridal boudoir shoot if wanted) , I also offer these as standalone bookings. If you’d like a pre-wedding shoot, engagement photos, proposal or other photo shoot contact me - I’d love to help!