Siobhan and Mark came to the studio for a pre-wedding shoot a few months before their wedding at Monkey Island. The idea was simple: get them used to being in front of the camera before the day itself. The weather was kind, so the shoot moved outside to the meadow opposite the studio in the spring sunshine.
Why a pre-wedding shoot helps
That was the whole reason for this one. A short shoot before the wedding lets a couple find out what it feels like to have a camera pointed at them, so the portraits on the day don’t start from cold.
The meadow in spring
With good weather there was no reason to stay indoors. The meadow opposite the studio was right there, and the spring sunshine did the rest.
The wedding at Monkey Island
Siobhan and Mark married later that year at Monkey Island, with an outdoor ceremony on the lawns. You can see the day in Siobhan and Mark’s Monkey Island wedding.
Congratulations to Siobhan and Mark.
Planning a pre-wedding shoot before a Monkey Island wedding
- Treat it as practice. The point is to get comfortable, so don’t worry about the perfect outfit or location.
- Talk through the island. Monkey Island sits on its own island in the Thames at Bray, and everyone crosses a footbridge to get there. Build extra time into your timings, particularly at the start of the day.
- Think about the light. The best light on the island is at the ends of the day. A later ceremony puts your drinks reception on the terrace in the best light of the day.
More about the venue is on my Monkey Island wedding photography page. For shoots in the city, see pre-wedding photography in London, or have a look at my prices and send me your date.
