Benefits of Having a Pre-Wedding Photoshoot with Your Wedding Photographer, The Dos & Don’ts of Engagement Photo Shoots & My Favourite Engagement Shoot Locations in Northern Ireland

Unless you’re a model, being photographed probably feels a little awkward. I do this for a living and still, feel a little out of place when I have my photos taken. I’m a big fan of engagement sessions for a few reasons.

First, they allow you to get comfortable in front of the camera and all the attention of it on you. It takes time for most couples to warm up to being photographed. Timelines can be pretty tight on weddings days and 10-30 minutes may be all we have for portraits - which is why wedding day portraits turn out so much better when couples do engagement sessions ahead of time.

Second, you can showcase your personalities in a more casual setting that is significant to the two of you (and even include children or pets!). They’re great for save-the-dates, we’ve taken engagement photos anywhere from 18 months in advance to a few days before the wedding. Your complimentary session is included in the price, but you don’t have to book it only with your wedding package. It can make a great gift for newly engaged friends, anniversary gift to your significant other and so on.

Have a read through the advice below to help make your mind up.

Charlotte & Michael Islandmagee Sunset Engagement Shoot/ Northern Ireland Wedding Photographers

For the past 3 years, I have been pretty committed to exploring Northern Ireland and it's raw coastline, forests and hidden gems, but I somehow managed to miss Islandmagee. It just never occurred to me it exists. It was a total blind spot until I heard about Rob's Heart & Soul workshop from my friends Sheena & Christin. They were raving about the workshop itself, the energy and fuel it gives, about the couples they were photographing and the location.

Fast forward to late May when I attend it, not only learned a thing or two about having a wedding photography business in Northern Ireland (and destination in my case!:)) but most of all met some amazing people. The couple that we were photographing on the island, Charlotte and Michael, are getting married in July and I'm more than sure they will make a wonderful bride and groom. I'm a huge fan of natural, sweet and candid photography focusing on the couple and their loved ones, and I always express how important it is to have your pre-wedding shoot. Not only because it's a great chance to bond a bit with your photographer, but also because on your wedding day you can focus on the moment, on being present and not on the fact that you are being photographed.

Islandmagee will be definitely joining my list of places to elope in Northern Ireland and I'm just delighted I was able to attend the workshop and make some new friends. Keep your eyes peeled for more of Charlotte and Michael, as they have agreed to help me with the secret project I'm planning for August.

Katja & Rian / Belfast Wedding Photographer

Katja & Rian wanted their engagement photos to look bright, airy & editorial like, which I was more than happy to make possible for them. We started brainstorming over a possible location a few weeks before the shoot and we both agreed that The Palm House in Botanic will be our best bet. It was mostly due to Northern Irish weather - February wasn't a particularly bright month and the only place with the abundance of fresh flowers and light would be the Palm House. We also exchanged many photos with outfit options - I have never been so close to planning an engagement outfit with a bride! Hands down most curated & stylish engagement shoot to date.