The top engagement shoot locations in and around South Wales!
If you’re reading this then hopefully you’re engaged! (YAAY!) A great way to celebrate your recent, or on-going engagement is to book yourself in for an engagement shoot. Why I hear you ask? Well; I’ll tell you why!
1. They are super fun!
Trust me, even if you are super, anti photo people the right photographer will make sure that your engagement session is a fun way for you and your partner to spend the day together. Think of it as a unique date and you can also tick it off your wedding planning list too (that’ll make you feel better!)
2. It’s brilliant practise for your wedding day!
Zero pressure on this one, you can see ahead of time how your photos will work from shooting process to finished product. You can practise that dirty dancing lift if you want or that dip you saw on tik tok and it totally doesn’t matter how many times you mess it up!
3. You can get to know your photographer!
Essential! Hopefully you’ll have done your reseach before booking your photographer, you know you love their work and their style fits you but you should hopefully know abit about them personally too. You are going to be with your photographer allllllllll day so it’s important you understand each others vibe and don’t grate on each other.
4. Your photographer can get to know you!
Same as above plus a little more. You’re photographer can use this time to see how you interact as a couple. Eg - are you happy being ‘touchy feely’, more of a weird double act, romantic vibes etc. This way we can work out the best way to get those perfect authentic photos on your wedding day.
5. IT’S FREE! (This one is just for my couples <3)
Yep, I believe it engagement shoots so much that I include them with two of my wedding packages and discounts with the others. They really are so beneficial and hey - who doesn’t love a freebie?!
So now i’ve convinced you, where is a great place to go to get those awesome engagement photos i’ve bigged up so much. My first bit of advice is to choose somewhere that has significant meaning to your story. If could be a favourite date spot, where you met, where you got engaged or even where you feel most comfortable. You could choose a spot that plays to your strengths, if you’re the outdoorsy types then maybe the woods or a coastal setting and for those gamers out there how about an arcade?
Anyway! Here is a little list of my favourite, creative spots in and around South Wales that are PERFECT for your engagement session!
At home!
If you’re a homebody and that’s where you feel most comfortable, why over complicate it? Home it is! Bonus points obviously if you have a particularly interesting home like a farm (look at all those chickens!) But the main thing to consider is do you have space to move around? If we are confined to the sofa, your photos won’t have a whole lot of variety and being static can make you tense up.
2. Weston Super Mare pier!
Serving up British seaside realness, this location is amazing if you love colour and offers a variety of prime photo op locations to squeeze into one session. Beware though, this one is not for the faint of heart - it is always busy!
3. Books are for lovers!
Think about including your hobbies into your shoot! Things that you mutually love as a couple. If you’re both a fan of the theatre or avid am-dram-ers then consider a shoot on stage somewhere. If you’re art lovers why not go to a gallery. Music heads? Record store obviously!
4. Arcades and bars!
When thinking of the perfect location, they don’t all have to be outside space - although yes, I would recommend space to play, move around and interact with each other. BUT you could totally throw in a first date spot like K&J did last year. We recreated their first date in the arcade at KONGS, taking photos playing pool, pac man and pinball. They even brought props, their first photobooth photo together shown above.
5. Barry island beach!
Ok, so maybe not a totally unique idea but we’re not inventing the wheel here! It’s a great, big beach so even when it’s busy you have space to get away from the majority of the crowds and it’s also got great spots for my fellow colour lovers. The huts, the arcades, the fun fair. It’s definitely one of my fave places!
6. Bristol, I love you!
Oh lordy I really do - from the street art to the buildings, to the docks and the colourful houses and the christmas steps…I could go on. City centres (especially Bristol) are great for unique and interesting engagement shoots!
OTHER GREAT LOCATIONS IN SOUTH WALES:
• TREDEGAR HOUSE • TREDEGAR PARK • CWMBRAN BOATING LAKE • CARDIFF CITY CENTRE • CARDIFF MUSEUM • WENTWOOD FOREST • CARDIFF BAY • ROOSE POINT • NASH POINT • OGMORE BEACH • DUNRAVEN BAY • PENARTH PIER • ST FAGANS • MARGAM COUNRTY PARK (BUT LITERALLY ANY COUNTRY PARK IS GREAT• CALDICOT CASTLE • HAY ON WYE TOWN • TINTERN RAILWAY • ROATH PARK • CEFN ONN PARK • LLANTWIT MAJOR BEACH • SEA WALL NEWPORT•
