Pre Lockdown Engagement Shoot

It’s only a few months since March when I met up with John-Paul and Emma for their pre wedding photoshoot, but within a week of our meeting, the UK was thrown into lockdown and it now seems like another world ago!

The couple were visiting the area ahead of their wedding at Lapstone Barn near Chipping Campden in August. Sadly, Coronavirus has put the Kybosh on their plans and they are having to wait another year until they can tie the knot.

We met in the beautiful surroundings of Batsford Arboretum here in the Cotswolds. The leaves hadn’t quite sprung into life but the trees still provided wonderful backdrops with their interesting bark textures and a profusion of delicate pink blossoms.

I think woodlands are perhaps my favourite place for a photoshoot. They are often quiet, which is great for helping my clients to relax and not feel as though they are on show. They are shaded, but when the sun is out, the light streams in shafts through the branches or between the leaves with an attractive dappled effect. The enormity of many trees alongside my subjects also provides a dramatic contrast in scale - especially the lofty Redwoods with their spongy, furrowed trunks.

It was lovely getting to know John-Paul and Emma and talking through all the plans for their wedding. That’s the beauty of a pre-wedding photoshoot - it’s a chance for everyone to feel at ease with the camera, get to know each other and there’s a great set of photographs to add to the wedding day decor too!

Mickleton Hills Farm summer wedding

September last year was a beautifully sunny month. Such a blessing for Jo Jo & Liam who basked in the warmth of the late summer sun at their lovely Cotswolds’ wedding. The day got off to a flying start with Jo Jo’s closest friends preparing for the day ahead, with makeup by Arrianarosebeauty and hair by Mode. The ceremony took place in the impressive surroundings of St James’s Church, Chipping Campden and then guests made their way just over the hill to the lovely Mickleton Hills Farm. This venue is very special and is almost cathedral like in its structure. The summer sun flooded into the reception barn with it’s picture window overlooking the beautiful Cotswolds’ countryside. There was plenty of time for me to photograph the happy couple before their wedding breakfast but as the sun began to set, I persuaded them to come outside again and make the most of the fabulous golden evening light. Such a dream to photograph - and Jo Jo looked amazing in her Suzanne Neville dress.

Chipping Campden Burnt Norton wedding

The setting for Luke & Tessa's summer wedding couldn't have been more idillyc - the romantic Burnt Norton Hall perched high on the edge of the Cotswolds escarpment near Chipping Campden, overlooking the Vale of Evesham. A marquee in the grounds made the most of the impressive backdrop for the couple's reception which followed a ceremony at St James's Church in the centre of Campden. The hot sunshine of the day gave way to balmy summer's evening and as I left, glancing over at the setting sun, the scene of twinkling fairy lights, the clinking of glasses and animated chatter of guests was a perfect end to a perfect day.