A couple smiling and embracing in a colorful garden, surrounded by blooming flowers and greenery. The man is wearing a light shirt and dark pants, while the woman is in a yellow blouse and white pants. They appear happy and relaxed.

Engagements

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April 14, 2019

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duke gardens engagement session – nikki & john

It’s been a while since I shared an engagement session and I’ve shot quite a few over the last few weeks. So let’s put that right! Here’s a Duke Gardens engagement session I photographed a few weeks ago. I’ve known Nikki for a few years through some corporate work I did a few years back with what is now The Pink Ceiling. So I was really pleased when, a few months back, I heard that she’d got engaged to John and wanted me to photograph her wedding for her.

As I always like to do, we met up at a bar for a few drinks to chat and loosen up a bit before heading over to the gardens. I like to make it a natural progression from when we meet to when we start shooting and it always seems to relax everyone before we jump into the photo session.

We got to the gardens around golden hour, so the light was beautiful as always. The gardens are built into a kind of valley so, over the years, I have worked out when the light hits certain areas at the best times. Nikki and John brought a change of clothes so we got to get two looks into the session. I often suggest this, but it’s by no means mandatory. I just want you to feel relaxed and comfortable for the camera!

Anyway, you can see Nikki & John have fabulous chemistry and were a lot of fun to photograph together. I’m really looking forward to their wedding next year!

Here are just some of my faves from the session.

A black and white photo of a couple standing outdoors, surrounded by flowers. The man is behind the woman, wrapping his arms around her shoulders. Both are looking at the camera with neutral expressions.
A smiling couple poses outdoors, with the woman in a white sleeveless top leaning on the mans shoulder. The man is wearing a light-colored button-up shirt. The background is lush with greenery and dappled sunlight.
A couple stands in a bamboo forest, with the man in a blue shirt and the woman in a white top. They hold hands and lean gently against each other, eyes closed, surrounded by soft sunlight filtering through the trees.
A woman with long dark hair holds a bamboo pole, standing in soft sunlight. She wears a white top, and the light creates a gentle rainbow effect around her.
A black and white image of a woman resting her head on a mans shoulder. The man looks away in the background, while the woman gazes directly at the camera, surrounded by a soft-focus backdrop of flowers.
A young couple sits outdoors on a sunny day. The woman, with long dark hair, is smiling and has her arm around the man, who has short light hair and is wearing a light blue shirt. They are surrounded by greenery and appear happy and relaxed.
A couple stands closely together outdoors, smiling at the camera. They are surrounded by greenery, with sunlight filtering through the trees in the background. The man wears a light shirt, and the woman is in a white top.
A man wearing a light blue button-up shirt stands outdoors with a blurred green background. He has short brown hair and a subtle smile.
A woman and a man smile and laugh together outdoors in front of white hydrangea flowers. The woman wears a white top and jeans, while the man is in a light blue shirt. The background is lush with greenery.
A couple stands in a bamboo forest, holding hands and smiling at each other. The man wears a light blue shirt and dark pants, while the woman is in a white sleeveless top and dark pants. Sunlight filters through the trees, creating a serene atmosphere.
A woman with long, dark hair stands outdoors, wearing a white top. The background is blurred greenery, highlighting her bright eyes and pink lipstick. The image has a soft, natural light.
A couple standing in front of a background filled with white hydrangeas. The man is embracing the woman from behind, both smiling at the camera. They are dressed in light-colored clothing, creating a harmonious scene with the flowers.
A couple poses closely outdoors. The man wears a white checkered shirt and looks forward, while the woman in a yellow dress, with long dark hair, leans against him, facing the camera. The background is a blurred natural setting.
A black and white photo of a couple gazing at each other affectionately. The woman, wearing a strapless dress, looks up at the man, who is wearing a checkered shirt. They stand outdoors near a bench with blurred trees in the background.
A woman with long dark hair wearing a yellow strapless top stands against a blurred background of vibrant pink flowers, looking to the side with a calm expression.
Black and white portrait of a man with short hair, wearing a checkered shirt, looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression. The background is softly blurred.
A couple stands facing each other in an outdoor setting. The woman wears a yellow top and white pants, while the man wears a light checkered shirt and dark shorts. They are under a gazebo surrounded by greenery.
A couple smiling and embracing in a colorful garden, surrounded by blooming flowers and greenery. The man is wearing a light shirt and dark pants, while the woman is in a yellow blouse and white pants. They appear happy and relaxed.
A couple sits on a bench surrounded by lush, blooming flowers and greenery. They are sharing an affectionate moment under the vibrant, colorful blossoms, set against a stone wall backdrop.
A black and white photo of a couple smiling at each other in a garden. The man is wearing a checkered shirt, and the woman is in a strapless dress. They look happy, surrounded by blurred flowers and plants in the background.
A couple sits closely in a garden with vibrant tulips in the background. They are facing each other, smiling warmly, and appear to be enjoying a candid moment together.
A black and white photo of a couple embracing. The woman with long hair is wearing a strapless dress, and the man in a checkered shirt is gently holding her waist. They are sharing a tender moment in a garden setting.
A man in a white checkered shirt and a woman in a yellow top stand closely together, smiling, with a lush garden in the background. Bright flowers and greenery surround them, creating a vibrant, cheerful scene.
A man and woman are embracing outdoors. The man wears a white checkered shirt and the woman wears a yellow off-shoulder dress. They stand in a natural setting with blurred greenery in the background. The woman rests her head on the mans chest.
A black and white photo showing a man and woman standing closely on a tree-lined path. The man, in a checkered shirt, looks into the distance with a serious expression, while the woman, in a sleeveless dress, leans on him with a peaceful look.
A couple sitting closely together outdoors, with the womans head resting on the mans chest. He wears a checked shirt and a red watch, while she wears a yellow outfit. They are near a stone fountain, creating a serene and intimate atmosphere.

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