Last weekend I joined Gemma & Paul for their pre-wedding meet in Ilkley!
It was a beautiful sunny afternoon, and the skies we’re looking ace!
We met up for a quick drink at the Cow & Calf to catch up and run through the wedding logistics before heading out on the shoot!
Gemma & Paul are hosting their wedding celebrations at East Riddlesdon Hall, where I’m one of the National Trust endorsed suppliers. Â If I’ve photographed at a venue before and am familiar with the layout, I let my couples choose other locations to do their pre-wedding practice shoots. Â This part of Ilkley Moor is called the Cow & Calf, and it’s a spot Gemma & Paul hold dear, so they decided to do the shoot here!
In the image above, it’s the boulder and rock face to it’s left that, from a certain angle (not this one, I reckon!), resemble a Cow & Calf!
They’re both into playing guitar, so brought em along as props!
Most people don’t like having their photograph taken for one reason or another, as the process of being photographed undoubtedly feels strange.
I find doing these practice shoots is so important to showing a couple they can look great however they feel about it!  And the bonus knock on effect is it makes their wedding portraits not only easier to do on the big day, but quicker so they can get back to the partying, campagne & canapés!
I like this quiet little moment
It’s notoriously windy up on Ilkley Moor! Â The song about being up on ‘Ilkley Moor bar t’hat’ is about how windy it can get without a hat!
Fun times all round! Â Fingers crossed we get lovely sunshine like this on their big day!