Cambridge has to be one of the loveliest cities for an engagement shoot. With its historic architecture, cobbled streets, beautiful college buildings and little tucked-away corners, there are so many gorgeous backdrops for relaxed, natural photographs.
For Louise and Ryan, Cambridge was also the perfect choice for a much more personal reason. They live close to the city, so it’s an area that means a lot to them, and they wanted their engagement photographs to capture somewhere that already felt special.
A relaxed evening engagement shoot in Cambridge
Louise and Ryan were completely happy to be guided when it came to locations, so rather than following a strict route, we simply went for a walk through the city together.
This is one of my favourite ways to photograph an engagement shoot. I know some wonderful spots for photography in Cambridge, but I’m always looking at what the light is doing too. We stopped whenever I found a beautiful backdrop, and the light felt right, using the streets, architecture and quieter corners of the city to create plenty of variety within their gallery.
We planned their session for later in the day, when the harsh summer sunlight had softened, and we were approaching that lovely time just before the light begins to fade. Soft, flattering light makes such a difference to photographs and gave us the perfect conditions for their evening shoot.
Natural engagement photography in Cambridge
Engagement shoots don’t need to feel overly posed or formal. In fact, I think they work best when they feel like the two of you.
We walked, chatted and explored Cambridge, stopping along the way for photographs and allowing the session to unfold naturally. I offered direction whenever it was needed, but there was never any pressure to know what to do in front of the camera.
By the end of the evening, we had created a beautiful and varied gallery that Louise and Ryan were both really happy with, capturing not only their engagement but a city that is part of their story.
Planning your own Cambridge engagement shoot
If you’re considering engagement photography in Cambridge, choosing the right time of day can make a huge difference. The city can be busy and, particularly during the summer months, photographing later in the day can give us softer light as well as a more relaxed atmosphere.
Having photographed in Cambridge before, I know some of the best locations and backdrops for photographs, so you don’t need to arrive with a route or a list of places in mind. I can guide you around the city, choosing locations according to the light, the surroundings and the kind of photographs we want to create.
For me, an engagement shoot is also a lovely opportunity to spend some time together before your wedding. You get to experience how I work, become more comfortable in front of the camera and, most importantly, come away with a collection of photographs celebrating this part of your story.
If you love what you see and are looking for natural, elegant photography for your own wedding or engagement, I’d love to hear from you. You can get in touch here to tell me a little more about your plans. If you’d like to see more of my work in the city, take a look at my other Cambridge engagement shoot blog, or head over to my portfolio page to explore more weddings, engagements and celebrations.
