Jade and Davina’s pre wedding shoot at Shorne Woods Country Park, Kent made me a very happy wedding photographer on so many levels! I can start typically English and say that the weather was perfect. Not a bright blue sky and strong sun but bright and overcast, the cloud acting like a huge diffuser and giving me lovely even light. Secondly, look at them! What a gorgeous pair. Jades hair reminded me of Merida from Disney’s Brave; long, gorgeously curly, slightly wild and just amazing. And I love the cut of Davina’s hair. I have had short hair since I was about 18 so I am always drawn to someone who dares to go short too. So, thirdly; BRUNO. Gorgeous, cute and so full of character; Bruno the dog. I was so pleased when they asked me if they could bring him along. I am most definitely a dog person, usually most comfy in walking shoes and a warm coat marching through a field with my Spaniel in tow so to have a four legged friend along was no problem for me at all. His face was so expressive and the little hop he did with his back legs as he slowed down was just so sweet. Lastly, and for me the most important reason they made me happy, was that they embraced it; warmly, wholeheartedly and genuinely.

The whole purpose of an engagement or pre wedding shoot for me is to make a connection, and not between the couple but between me and my clients. As a couple, you are already connected; you are about to marry one another and want to spend the rest of your lives together. But then there is me and my camera! I will stand right next to you as you make your vows, as you whisper how beautiful the other looks, as you kiss each other for the first time as a married couple. I want to make a connection and earn that position, pride of place at your Wedding.

Jade and Davina let me do just that. They embraced the awkward stiffness that comes in the first few minutes and just completely went with the flow. And as the ‘I hate having my photograph taken’ guard came down, they accepted me, trusted me and allowed me in to capture the fantastic chemistry that they share and all the smiles and giggles.

I CAN’T wait for their wedding in a few weeks and do you want to know one of the best things? Bruno will be there too! Yay!