Dan and Vi were getting married abroad in Vi’s home country, but before they packed their bags, I had the absolute pleasure of photographing them here in their current home country first. And honestly, this session was an absolute joy from start to finish.

These two are not shy in front of the camera. They were up for being silly, having a laugh, and just being completely themselves, even when that meant carefully stepping around sheep droppings scattered across the field. That kind of easy, unfiltered energy is exactly what makes for genuinely great couple photos, the real laughter, the actual closeness, none of the stiff posed stuff.

The Light and the Look

We shot this session during a properly dry, scorching summer evening, right as the sun was heading down. That golden hour light hitting a wide open field is something special, and I wanted to push the editing a little further than I normally would to match the warmth of the evening. I experimented with a more film-like, warm tone throughout the edit, which isn’t my usual style, but Dan and Vi were completely up for letting me try something new and trusted the process completely. The result has a lovely sun-soaked, nostalgic feel that really does capture what that evening felt like.

The setting itself was simple and rural, open countryside, hilltop, golden dry grass. No fuss, no elaborate styling, just two people who clearly adore each other, laughing in a field at golden hour.

Why Pre-Wedding and Engagement Sessions Matter

If you’re planning a wedding abroad, or even just want some relaxed, genuine photos of you and your partner before the big day, a pre-wedding or engagement photoshoot is such a lovely thing to do. It takes the pressure off your actual wedding day photos, gives you a chance to get comfortable in front of the camera together, and creates a set of images that are just about the two of you, with no guests, no schedule, no rush.

This kind of countryside engagement session works beautifully for couples who want something natural and candid rather than overly formal. Open fields, golden hour light, and a couple who are happy to be silly together is honestly one of my favourite combinations to photograph.

Thank you so much, Dan and Vi, you two are absolute gems and I’m so grateful you trusted me with this one. 💗