A pre-wedding shoot gives you time together in front of the camera before the wedding day arrives. It can help you feel more comfortable being photographed, get to know how I work and create a collection of photographs that celebrates this part of your lives.
I’m Emma Lowe, a Warwickshire wedding photographer based in Rugby. Rugby has been my home since 2014, and I photograph weddings across Warwickshire and the wider Midlands. My approach combines natural moments with gently guided portraits, so you can enjoy being together without feeling that you have to perform for the camera.
This guide explains how to plan a pre-wedding shoot, what to wear, how to choose a location and what to ask before booking. I’ve also included two of my own pre-wedding shoots, so you can see how different couples have approached their photographs.
What is a pre-wedding photoshoot?
A pre-wedding photoshoot is a portrait session for the two of you before your wedding. It takes place separately from the wedding day, giving you space to enjoy photographs together without the ceremony, reception and guests shaping the timetable.
It might be a relaxed walk in clothes you would normally wear, an elegant shoot at your wedding venue or something more personal to your relationship. You do not need elaborate styling, a special occasion outfit or any experience of being photographed.
An engagement shoot often means much the same thing, although it may take place much earlier in your wedding planning. A proposal shoot captures the proposal itself and needs its own arrangements. An after-wedding shoot happens once you are married, sometimes in your wedding outfits. These are different occasions, so explain what you have in mind when enquiring.
Is a pre-wedding shoot worth having?
The strongest reason to book one is that you would enjoy the photographs or find the experience reassuring. It is particularly useful if one or both of you feels awkward in front of a camera, or if your only experience of couple photographs involves hurried phone selfies.
Working together beforehand helps me understand what makes you comfortable. You can discover how a little guidance with where to stand, how to move or where to look can change the experience. It also gives you a chance to tell me which photographs you love and what feels less like you.
There is no requirement to have a pre-wedding session to get beautiful wedding photographs. If your budget is better spent on the wedding coverage itself, that is a sensible choice. We can still talk through your priorities and any nerves during the planning. My guide to choosing your wedding photography coverage can help you decide where that budget matters most.
What happens during a shoot with me?
My starting point is the two of you: how you interact, what you enjoy and the kind of photographs you would like. We can begin with something straightforward, such as walking together or standing close in a comfortable spot, before moving into more composed portraits.
You do not need to arrive knowing how to pose. I can guide your position, help with where to put your hands and suggest small movements that feel natural. There is room for conversation and laughter, as well as quieter photographs where you simply enjoy being together.
I also pay attention to the light, background and composition. A small change of position can remove a distracting background or give us more flattering light, without turning the session into a complicated production. You can read more about my natural, elegant wedding photography style and explore my wedding photography portfolio to see how that approach carries through to the day itself.
When should you arrange your pre-wedding shoot?
Start with what you want the photographs for. If the session is mainly about feeling comfortable before your wedding, a date several weeks or months beforehand gives you breathing space. Around six to twelve weeks before the wedding can be a useful planning starting point, rather than trying to squeeze another appointment into the final few days.
If you want photographs for save-the-date cards, invitations, a wedding website or a guest book, work backwards from when you need the finished product. Allow for the shoot, editing, choosing your photographs and any design or printing. Confirm the delivery timetable before booking rather than assuming the images will be ready immediately.
The season matters too. A spring session can give you a different feel from an autumn wedding, while a summer evening may suit a relaxed countryside walk. Choose a season you enjoy and a date that works practically for you both.
How much time should you allow?
For a straightforward shoot at one location, around an hour is a useful starting point when discussing your plans. That is planning guidance, not a fixed session entitlement: we should agree the actual duration when arranging your shoot. Multiple locations, outfit changes, children or a more elaborate idea need additional consideration.
Leave room either side for parking, walking to the meeting point and getting ready. A session feels much more relaxed when you are not rushing straight from another appointment or watching the clock for the next one.
Choosing a location in Rugby, Warwickshire or the Midlands
Being based in Rugby gives me a convenient starting point for shoots across Warwickshire and the surrounding Midlands. The best location is one that suits you both and gives us workable light, space and access. It does not have to be the most expensive or recognisable venue.
- A place with personal meaning: somewhere you enjoy walking together, a favourite part of town or a setting connected to your relationship.
- Countryside or waterside surroundings: useful for relaxed movement and a quieter feel, provided the paths and access suit you.
- Your wedding venue: an opportunity to enjoy the setting before the wedding, if the venue permits a separate photography session.
- A town or architectural setting: a good option if interesting buildings and a more urban feel suit you better than open countryside.
If you are considering your wedding venue, my photography pages for Bourton Hall in Rugby and Coombe Abbey show examples of my wedding work in those settings. They are useful starting points for discussing the look you like; a wedding booking does not automatically grant access for a separate shoot.
Before settling on a location, check photography permission, any venue or parking fees, opening times, walking distances and somewhere to shelter. If steps, uneven ground or long walks would be difficult, tell me early so the location works for you. For plans further afield, see where I travel for wedding photography and include your preferred location when you enquire.
What is the best time of day for photographs?
The answer depends on the location, season and weather. Low evening light can be beautiful, but it is not the only way to create lovely photographs. Open shade can work well on a bright day, and an overcast sky can give soft, even light.
When choosing a time, consider where the sun will be, whether buildings or trees create shade and how busy the location becomes. A popular park on a weekend afternoon can feel very different from the same place on a quieter weekday.
Winter light fades much earlier, so an after-work session may be impractical. In summer, an evening shoot may be easier to arrange around work. We can discuss those practicalities before choosing the meeting time.
What should you wear and bring?
Wear something you like yourself in and can move comfortably in. An outfit that feels wrong on the day can become a distraction, however good it looks on a hanger. Try it on beforehand and check how it feels when you sit, walk and stand close together.
- Choose complementary clothes: you do not need matching outfits, but a similar level of formality helps you look comfortable together.
- Think about colours and patterns: simple colours are easy to work with. Large logos or very busy patterns can draw attention away from your faces.
- Dress for the setting: countryside paths may call for practical shoes between photographs, even if you bring a different pair for portraits.
- Bring suitable layers: looking relaxed is harder when you are cold, wet or uncomfortable.
- Keep pockets and bags in mind: bulky phones and keys can affect the shape of clothing. Bring a small bag for essentials.
Water, a hairbrush and any small touch-up items you normally use are sensible additions. One outfit is often enough; if you would like a change, discuss the time and somewhere appropriate to change beforehand. You can dress up if that feels like you, but there is no need to buy clothes purely for the session.
For visual inspiration, Vogue’s engagement photo outfit ideas show different ways to approach the occasion, from casual clothes to more dressed-up looks. Use the styling as inspiration and choose something that suits your own wardrobe, the season and our location.
What if you feel awkward in front of the camera?
You can tell me exactly what worries you. It might be not knowing where to look, feeling self-conscious about a particular angle or simply disliking being the centre of attention. You do not need to brush it off or pretend you are confident.
We can keep the beginning simple, with movement and conversation rather than a string of fixed poses. I can explain what I am asking you to do and why, and we can adjust anything that feels uncomfortable. Affection also looks different for every couple; you do not have to kiss for the camera or recreate somebody else’s idea of romance.
A small selection of photographs you like can help explain your preferences. Use them to show a feeling, such as relaxed, playful or quietly romantic, rather than making a long list of poses to reproduce. The aim is to make photographs that feel like the two of you.
If you would like a starting point for ideas, Hitched’s collection of engagement photography ideas offers a range of settings and approaches. Bring along a few favourites and we can discuss what appeals to you, then shape the session around your personalities and what works at your chosen location.
What happens if it rains?
A weather plan should be part of the arrangements. Light rain may still leave us useful opportunities, especially where there is shelter, but strong wind, heavy rain or unsafe conditions can change what is practical.
Discuss whether an indoor or sheltered option is available and what the arrangements would be if the shoot needs to move. Indoor access must be agreed with the location; it should not be assumed. Check the rescheduling terms when booking, including whether any third-party venue charges would still apply.
For outdoor shoots around Rugby and Warwickshire, footwear and ground conditions deserve as much thought as the forecast. A dry afternoon does not necessarily mean dry paths after several days of rain.
The Met Office’s guidance on interpreting weather forecasts explains why a long-range outlook cannot promise particular weather on an exact date. Plan a workable alternative in advance, then use the forecast closer to the session to help make practical decisions.
Two real pre-wedding shoots I have photographed
Aliya & Sam at Draycote Hotel, Warwickshire
I photographed Aliya & Sam’s pre-wedding session at Draycote Hotel in Warwickshire. Their shoot brought together portraits around the venue and a personal surprise arranged for the occasion. It is a lovely example of making a session feel individual to the couple.
Explore Aliya & Sam’s pre-wedding photographs at Draycote Hotel to see their session. If you have a more involved idea of your own, mention it at the enquiry stage so we can discuss the location, permissions and practical arrangements.
Emily & Stephen at Greetham Valley, Rutland
For Emily & Stephen, I photographed a relaxed pre-wedding session at Greetham Valley in Rutland. The countryside setting and summer evening light gave us opportunities for both gently guided portraits and natural moments together.
You can see Emily & Stephen’s pre-wedding photographs and then their wedding photographs at Greetham Valley. These are examples of my own work with the couple before and on their wedding day.
How much does a pre-wedding shoot cost?
The useful figure is the price for the session you actually want. Location, travel, duration and what is included can affect the arrangements, so ask for a clear quotation rather than assuming every photographer offers the same thing.
My wedding photography prices explain my wedding-day coverage. For a pre-wedding session, ask me to confirm the current options and whether it is quoted separately from your wedding booking. A pre-wedding consultation and a pre-wedding photoshoot are different services.
Before booking, confirm: the session length and location; the total photography and travel cost; any venue fees; how many edited photographs are included or how the selection works; delivery timing and format; the permission to download, share and print; and the arrangements for poor weather or a date change.
Receiving and using your photographs
Photographing you is only part of creating the finished collection. Selecting and editing the images also matters: the aim is a consistent set that feels natural and reflects the session. You can read why I edit my wedding photographs myself for more about my approach to the finished images.
If you want to use your pre-wedding photographs for invitations, a guest book or a particular frame, mention that before the shoot. A wide layout with space for wording needs a different composition from a close portrait. Confirm the image files and print permissions supplied with your session, and check what your printer or designer needs.
It is equally fine to want photographs simply for yourselves. You do not need to turn the session into another wedding project. If privacy is important to you, raise your preferences about website and social media use before booking.
A simple checklist for your pre-wedding shoot
- Decide what you want from the session: reassurance, photographs for yourselves, printed items or a combination.
- Choose a date with enough time for editing and any printing deadline.
- Agree the location, meeting point, access permission and any additional charges.
- Confirm the session duration, price, image delivery and weather arrangements.
- Choose comfortable outfits and shoes that suit the location.
- Tell me about any nerves, access needs or specific photographs that matter to you.
- Leave enough time to arrive calmly and enjoy the experience together.
A few other questions couples ask
Can we include our children or our dog?
Tell me when you enquire so we can plan a suitable session and check the location’s rules. If you would also like photographs of just the two of you, arranging for another trusted adult to help with children or pets can make that much easier.
Should we combine it with a hair and makeup trial?
You can, if the dates and timings work. It can help you see how your chosen look photographs, but it is entirely optional. Allow enough time between appointments and consider whether that look suits the clothes and setting you have chosen for the session.
Can we wear our wedding outfits?
Yes, that can be part of the idea, provided we plan for it. Consider alterations, changing space, walking surfaces and the risk of marks before the wedding. If keeping the outfits pristine would make the session stressful, different clothes may be a better choice.
Should our pre-wedding and wedding photographer be the same person?
If getting comfortable with your wedding photographer is the main reason for the session, working with the same person makes sense. You experience their guidance first-hand and can discuss the results together. If you are still choosing, look through complete examples in my recent wedding photography as well as individual favourites.
Plan your pre-wedding photography with Emma Lowe
I’m a full-time wedding photographer based in Rugby, Warwickshire, photographing couples across Warwickshire and the wider Midlands. Whether you have a particular location in mind or would like help shaping the idea, I’d love to hear about the two of you and your wedding plans.
Contact me about a pre-wedding shoot and your wedding photography. Include your wedding date and venue, the month you are considering for the shoot and any ideas or questions. We can then discuss availability, the practical details and the current price for your plans.