Not long back I joined Jolene & Graeme for their pre-wedding practice shoot up at Crathorne Hall Country House Hotel. It’s the first time I’ve done wedding photography there, so it was great to drive up and meet Jolene & Graeme before their big day to take a turn round some of the vast grounds around this stunning hotel.
After a catch up (coffee for me, Magners for Graeme & two glasses of prosecco for Jolene – someone nervous?!) we braved the drizzle and started the practice shoot!
What an amazing place, eh?! Very Downton Abbey!
(In fact, they were playing the Downton title music in the bar we caught up in!)
Fortunately, being a wedding photographer, I always keep white brollies in the boot just in case!
Essentially, these shoots are about showing a couple what I’m looking for (to capture natural, relaxed portraits), how to do that and how it feels to do so.
The payoff is not only better portraits all round, but also a quicker shoot on the wedding day, meaning more time to party with the pals.
Fingers crossed it’s less drizzly at the end of June! This building has so much potential for brilliant portraits and group shots…
I like this little detail.
The grounds are surrounded by gorgeous woodland. Dappled light, top shade, interesting lines … we photographers like to shoot in woods!
I like this little sequence.
Then we wandered back to the main entrance…
and after a few more squeezes & smooches, we called it a day!
I’m really looking forward to joining these two on their big day at the end of June!
[Stay tuned for their wedding highlights blog the day after their wedding]