Everything you need
for your session.
A private guide for my booked couples. Locations, timings, outfits, and how the day unfolds — so nothing about the shoot feels uncertain.
Welcome in.
Thank you for trusting me with your session. I've put this page together as a private guide — everything you might want to know ahead of the shoot. Where we'll meet, what to wear, how the day flows, and what happens after.
Nothing here needs memorising. On the day, I'll guide you through every moment. This page is just somewhere calm to read ahead, and somewhere to come back to whenever you have a question.
Three locations,
each for a reason.
I work within a thirty-minute radius of Birmingham — three carefully selected locations across the city and the Midlands, each chosen for a specific kind of light and feel. Below, you'll find the full guide to the location you've picked for your session, with everything you need to know ahead of the day.
Earlswood Lakes, Solihull
Wide water, soft reed edges, open skies. The kind of place where light stretches across the lake and everything slows down. Sunsets here pull warm amber across the water — ideal for quiet, romantic frames where you get to just be with each other, unrushed.
Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Lush, painterly, almost cinematic. The glasshouses wrap you in deep greens and warm, filtered light that holds every colour and every detail beautifully. A romantic, editorial backdrop that never feels staged.
Elmdon Park, Solihull
Open hilltops, old stone, and mature trees that have seen centuries pass. Golden hour stretches long and quiet here — a soft, cinematic light that makes everything feel timeless. Space to move, space to breathe, space for frames that actually feel like yours.
How your session
flows.
Arrival & meeting
We meet at the agreed point. A few minutes to settle, take in the light, and a short chat about the session ahead.
Easing in
We start gently. Simple direction from me, a short walk, a few relaxed frames. No forced posing, no rush — just easing into the rhythm of the shoot.
The main session
This is the core of your shoot. Fully directed, moving through the location, adjusting for light. I handle every decision — where to stand, where to look, when to just be yourselves.
Final light & wrap
The last stretch of light before the sun drops, followed by a few final frames to close the session. The softest, warmest moments almost always come from this window.
Dressing
for your shoot.
Colour and texture shape your images as much as location does. The palette below is what consistently holds up in the Midlands light — warm, cinematic, unhurried, use it as a guide.
What to wear
I prefer casual, shoot-friendly outfits — pieces you can move, sit, walk, and relax in without thinking about them. Soft fabrics, clean lines, tones from the palette above. The more comfortable you feel in what you're wearing, the more natural the session becomes. One outfit per session, worn for the full two hours — it keeps the shoot unhurried and lets us make the most of the light. A quick reminder: please arrive ready to shoot — outfit on, hair and makeup done.
What to avoid
- Neon, bright primary colours, and overly saturated synthetics
- Busy logos or heavy branding on casual outfits
- Very shiny satin that reflects strong, uneven highlights
- Anything you haven't worn before the shoot — comfort always shows on camera
The finishing
details.
Small choices shape how the final images feel. A few quiet principles to work with — nothing prescriptive.
Hair — soft over structured
Loose, soft styles photograph better than tight, highly structured ones. Movement reads as warmth on camera.
Makeup — matte over shimmer
Matte finishes hold up more cleanly in natural light. Shimmer can catch unevenly. A slightly stronger lip adds cinematic depth.
Jewellery — wear what matters
Heirloom and meaningful pieces photograph more beautifully than anything generic — they carry something in the image you can't style into it.
British weather
is part of the plan.
Overcast light is some of the most flattering light you can shoot in — even, soft, cinematic. Light rain creates reflective surfaces and a quieter, more intimate feel. We work with it, not around it.
For heavy rain or genuinely unworkable conditions, we reschedule — and I prioritise rebooked sessions when we do. I'd rather wait a week for the right day than rush through the wrong one.
What to bring.
Keep it simple. Everything below fits in one bag — you don't need anything more.
From shoot
to gallery.
Any questions
before the day?
Message me anytime. I'd rather answer a small question now than have you wondering on the morning of the shoot.