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!