Everything You Need to Know About Your Engagement Shoot

What Is An Engagement Shoot?

Let’s talk about engagement shoots. Or pre-wedding shoots. (Same thing, different name.)

Now, I’ll be honest—this is nothing like what happens on your wedding day. There’s no whirlwind of guests, no confetti in your hair, and no mad timeline to follow. It’s just the three of us, wandering somewhere you love, taking it slow, and helping you feel a bit more relaxed in front of the camera. 

You’ll come away with some lovely, natural photos of the two of you without the pressure. We might start with a coffee or a pint if that’s your style, or head straight into the woods or explore a city. Every shoot looks a little different, and that’s exactly how it should be.

And while it's totally different to your wedding day, it's also a great warm-up. If you're feeling nervous about being photographed, this is the perfect low-key way to realise it's not as awkward as you might think. If you can handle this? You’ll breeze through your portraits on the big day.

Where can we go?

Most of my engagement shoots take place around the West Midlands, and luckily, we’re spoiled for choice. If you’re into gritty textures and street art, Digbeth in Birmingham is a favourite of mine. Prefer greenery and wide open spaces? We can head out into the countryside and find somewhere a bit more peaceful.

I tend to stick close to home for these shoots, but if there’s a special spot nearby—maybe your favourite pub or where you got engaged, let me know, and we’ll see what we can make happen.

When Can We Do It?

Engagement shoots are available Monday to Thursday, all year round. Weekdays are ideal, with less foot traffic, fewer people watching, and no awkward crowds hanging about. Plus, weekends are usually reserved for weddings, so weekday shoots keep things simple.

 We can plan your shoot for a day you’ve already got off work or, in the summer, head out in the early evening to catch that gorgeous golden light. I’ll always avoid the harsh midday sun if we can help it. If you’re a morning person, we can start early instead.

In autumn and winter, the light tends to be softer all day, and those overcast skies? Surprisingly flattering.

If you've got a day set aside for wedding planning, why not make the most of it and squeeze your engagement shoot in too? It’s a great way to tick a few things off your list in one go

What about the weather?

I love a bit of rain! Light reflecting off pavements, mist in the air, puddles...there’s something really beautiful and other-worldly about wet weather. 

On a wedding day, I’ll always encourage you to embrace the weather. We’ve usually got cover nearby and a change of shoes close to hand. Engagement shoots are a little different though. If it’s just a light drizzle, I say let’s go for it. But if it’s chucking it down and there’s nowhere to shelter, it’s probably best to reschedule or switch up the location.

One of the great things about a city like Birmingham is that there’s usually somewhere to duck into if we need cover. Or we can head somewhere like the Botanical Gardens, where we’ve got the best of both, lush green space and indoor options if the heavens open.

FAQs About Engagement Shoots

(That You Might Be Wondering About)

Not sure what to wear, where to go, or whether your dog can come too? Totally normal. Here are a few quick answers to the things couples ask me most often about engagement shoots.

What should we wear?

Honestly, whatever you feel good in. There’s no need to dress up unless you want to. Just a quick tip—try not to wear the exact same colour as the surroundings (so maybe no head-to-toe green if we’re heading into the woods). If you're unsure, bring a backup option and we can decide on the day.

Can we bring our dog?

 Yes please. Always yes. Just let me know in advance so we can pick a location that works for walkies too. Want some photos with your (insert any animal here) I’M IN!

Can we have photos taken at home?

Most of my engagement shoots take place around Birmingham or out in the countryside, but if home is where you feel most relaxed, we can absolutely make that work. Familiar spaces often help people feel more at ease in front of the camera, and they make for really lovely, natural photos.

One of my couples even wanted a few shots with their cat, Cece (naturally, she stole the show), so we started at home and then headed out somewhere nearby. It’s a great option if you want to ease into things or include a pet, and it gives your gallery a nice bit of variety too.

We’ve got kids, can they be in the photos?

 Absolutely, and I totally get wanting them to be involved. Just a heads-up though, bringing little (or big!) ones along changes the feel of the shoot. It becomes more of a family session than a couple shoot, with a more playful, less focused pace (which is totally lovely in its own way!).

Because the timing, approach, and pricing are a bit different for family shoots, this would fall under that kind of session instead. You can find all the details over on my family shoot page.

That said, I love getting to meet your kids before the big day, it can really help them feel more comfortable when the wedding rolls around.

We’re really awkward in front of the camera, is that OK?

Completely fine (and honestly, really common). Most of my couples say this before their shoot. You don’t need to know what to do, that’s my job. I’ll gently guide you, but mostly we’ll just walk, chat, and ease into it. No forced poses, no awkward silences. It’s all about keeping things relaxed and letting you be yourselves.

So there you have it, just a little bit of insight into how my engagement shoots work. My main tip? Try not to be nervous. I’ve photographed a lot of people over the years and have picked up some pretty solid superpowers when it comes to helping you feel at ease. 

If you fancy taking a turn in front of my camera (and meeting up for that coffee, pint, or gin while we’re at it), just pop me a message and I’ll get you booked in.

I’m Kate, a wedding photographer based in the West Midlands, creating natural, relaxed photos for couples who want to enjoy their day without the awkward posing. I shoot weddings across Birmingham, Warwickshire, Worcestershire and beyond, engagement shoots too, of course!