Just engaged
Pictures for the announcement, the save-the-dates and the wedding website while the news is still fresh.
Engagement and Pre-Wedding Photoshoots in London
A relaxed engagement or pre-wedding shoot in central London, the parks and countryside of NW London and the Chilterns, or the Northwood studio, before the wedding day itself.
The short answer
Where can we have an engagement photoshoot in London?
Anywhere within about 20 miles of the studio at The Broadway, 21 Joel St, Northwood HA6 1NU, which takes in central London as well as North West London, Hertfordshire and the Chilterns. Couples choose city streets and riverside, a royal park, quiet woodland or the studio itself, and we come to you wherever you pick. A shoot usually lasts one to two hours with one or two outfits, and travel costs are set out in writing before you book. Engagement shoots are photographed by Kaushik Bathia FBIPP FMPA, who has run the studio since 2001.
Why have one
What an engagement shoot is for
An engagement shoot is a portrait session for the two of you, booked in the months before the wedding. Pre-wedding shoot is the same thing under another name, and it is the term most Asian and Indian families use. Either way, it is usually one to two hours somewhere you like, with no guests, no timings and nobody watching.
The practical reason to do one is the wedding itself. Most people feel stiff in front of a camera at first, and a session beforehand is where that wears off. You learn how it feels to be directed, you find out which angles you like, and you get to know the photographer before the day that matters most.
The other reason is the pictures. You come away with couple portraits that are ready long before the wedding, for save-the-dates, invitations, a wedding website and announcing your news, and many couples end up framing one at home.
On the day
How the shoot runs
Before the shoot we talk through what the pictures are for, the look you like and whether a location or the studio suits you better. If the images are going on save-the-dates, it helps to say so early, because a card may need a landscape frame with space for wording.
On the day we start slowly, usually just walking and talking, so the start feels like a stroll. From there Kaushik moves between light direction and candid moments: where to stand, how to hold hands, a small prompt that gets you laughing, then stepping back to let you be yourselves. Nobody expects you to know how to pose, and the guidance is there so you never have to wonder what to do with your hands.
Most shoots cover a couple of spots close together, with a short break for an outfit change if you have brought a second look. Afterwards you view an edited gallery and choose your favourites at your own pace, with natural retouching on the images you pick.
- One to two hours in most cases
- One or two outfits
- A couple of spots close together, or the studio
- Gentle direction, never stiff posing
Choosing a place
Where to do a pre-wedding photoshoot in and around London
The right place is one that means something to you, or one that simply photographs well at the time of year you are booking. Where you met, the street you first lived on or the park you walk on Sundays all give the pictures a story that a famous landmark cannot.
If you want the city, central London offers the South Bank and the Thames, the bridges, the views from Primrose Hill and quieter corners such as St Dunstan in the East, a ruined church garden in the City. Famous landmarks are busy for most of the day, so early mornings and weekdays give cleaner backgrounds. For green space, the royal parks such as Hyde Park, Regent's Park and Kensington Gardens are close to the centre, while Hampstead Heath feels wilder.
For something softer, the countryside and woods of North West London, Hertfordshire and the Chilterns give open fields, lakes and beech woodland without the crowds. Our guides to pre-wedding shoot locations in London and engagement shoot locations in Hertfordshire and NW London go into more detail.
Permits and timing
Permits, light and the time of year
Some London locations have rules for professional photography. The Royal Parks manage their own permissions, and fee-paying gardens, private estates and managed spaces may ask for a permit or a fee, while public streets and open commons are usually straightforward. It is worth checking what your chosen place needs before the date is fixed, and we will talk it through with you when we plan the shoot.
Light matters as much as the place. The hour before sunset gives the softest, warmest light, and in London that moves a long way through the year: sunset is around 9.20pm in late June and before 4pm in December. Summer evening shoots are long and golden, while winter shoots start early in the afternoon. Sunrise is the quietest time at the big landmarks, if you can face an early alarm.
Each season has its own look: blossom in spring, deep green in summer, rich colour in autumn and crisp, low light in winter. If the forecast turns, we keep an indoor alternative in mind, and the Northwood studio gives polished portraits whatever the sky is doing.
Outfits
What to wear for an engagement shoot
Wear something you feel like yourselves in. Coordinate rather than match: pick two or three colours between you, keep patterns quiet and skip large logos and neon, which pull attention away from your faces. Soft neutrals sit well in parks and countryside, and deeper, richer colours suit city streets and evening light.
A second outfit adds variety without much effort, perhaps one relaxed look and one dressier one. London shoots often involve more walking than people expect, so bring comfortable shoes and change into smarter ones for the pictures. It is worth bringing your ring polished, a coat that photographs well in winter and anything personal you would like in a few frames, such as a dog, a favourite book or a sign for your save-the-date.
If you are unsure, send photos of a few options by WhatsApp before the day and we will help you choose.
Asian and Indian couples
Asian and Indian pre-wedding shoots
For Asian and Indian weddings, a pre-wedding shoot is often a bigger production. Couples may bring two or three outfit changes, moving from Western clothes to a lehenga, sherwani or saree, and some plan a more styled, cinematic set of pictures that is shown at the reception or shared with family abroad.
Outfit changes take time and somewhere private to change, so these shoots are planned around a location with facilities nearby, or split between the studio and a location. Heavy fabrics and jewellery also make shade and a calmer spot more welcome on a summer afternoon.
Asian weddings have been a large part of Kaushik's work for 25 years, so the shoot is with someone who already understands the clothes, the jewellery and the family expectations that come with a multi-day celebration. You can read more about how the wedding days themselves are covered on our Asian wedding photography page.
Before the wedding
Adding a pre-wedding shoot to your wedding photography
A pre-wedding shoot can be added to your wedding photography, alongside a second photographer and a hand-finished album, so the engagement pictures and the wedding pictures are planned together and share one style.
Weddings are covered anywhere in the UK, while the engagement shoot itself takes place within about 20 miles of Northwood, so couples marrying further afield often hold it in London or near the studio. Wedding packages are set out on the weddings page.
Timing is easy to plan backwards. Many couples book the shoot six to nine months before the wedding, which leaves time to have save-the-dates printed and posted, and to have a large print ready for guests to sign at the reception.
Cost and booking
What an engagement shoot costs
Prices are given on request by phone or WhatsApp. The figure depends on how long the shoot runs, where it takes place, travel from Northwood, any permit a location needs, and what you would like to take home afterwards, from digital files to prints, frames and albums, which are priced separately.
When you compare photographers in London, it helps to ask the same questions of each: how long the session is, who actually takes the pictures, whether travel and any permit fees are extra, and what the gallery contains. Ask for the answers in writing so you are comparing like with like. Here, travel costs are always set out in writing before you book. If you are booking wedding photography too, ask about adding the shoot to that booking at the same time.
Who it is for
Who it suits
Couples who feel camera shy
A low-pressure rehearsal before the wedding, so the day itself feels familiar.
Couples planning an Asian wedding
A styled pre-wedding shoot with outfit changes, for the reception screens and family overseas.
Take home
What you take home
An edited gallery
View your images privately and choose favourites without being rushed.
Natural retouching
Every chosen image finished so you still look like you, as web and print files.
Prints for the day
A guest signing print, framed pieces or an album, ordered afterwards if you want them.
Practical details
Finding the studio
- Studio: The Broadway, 21 Joel St, Northwood HA6 1NU, in the middle of the Northwood Hills shopping parade. Get directions
- Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 10:30 to 18:00, Sunday 13:00 to 18:00
- By Tube: Northwood Hills station on the Metropolitan line, two minutes' walk from the door
- By car: parking close by; Pinner, Ruislip and Rickmansworth are a few minutes away, with Harrow and Watford a short drive
- Booking: sessions are booked in advance by phone or WhatsApp on 07956 505383, or with the form below
- Prices: given on request by phone or WhatsApp
How to book
How booking works
Tell us your plans
Your wedding date, the look you like and what the pictures are for.
Pick the place and time
A London spot, the countryside or the studio, timed for good light.
Enjoy the shoot
One to two hours of gentle direction and candid moments.
Choose your favourites
Pick from your edited gallery and add any prints you would like.
Good to know
Engagement photoshoots: questions answered
It varies with the length of the session, the location, travel and whether prints or an album are included, so compare what each photographer actually offers rather than a headline figure. Our prices are given on request by phone or WhatsApp, and travel is set out in writing before you book.
London shoots vary widely because some photographers include permits, travel and several locations while others charge for each separately. Ask who takes the pictures, how long you have, what the gallery includes and whether any location fees are extra. Call or WhatsApp 07956 505383 and we will price your shoot for the place and time you have in mind.
Usually the couple. Sometimes parents or friends give one as an engagement gift, and when it is added to wedding photography it is simply part of that booking. There is no fixed etiquette, so it is whatever suits your family.
Choose a place with meaning, such as where you met, or one with the backdrop you love: city streets and the river for energy, a royal park or Hampstead Heath for greenery, or the Chilterns for countryside. Within about 20 miles of Northwood we come to you, and the studio is there if the weather turns.
Most take one to two hours. That leaves time to relax into it, move between a couple of spots and change into a second outfit if you have brought one. Asian pre-wedding shoots with several outfit changes are planned with more time.
Some places need one. The Royal Parks have their own rules for professional photography, and fee-paying gardens and private estates may ask for a permit or fee, while public streets are usually fine. Check the current rules for your chosen spot early, before the date is fixed.
The hour before sunset gives the softest light, and it ranges from about 9.20pm in midsummer to before 4pm in December. Early mornings are the quietest time at busy landmarks, which suits couples who would rather not have an audience.
Light drizzle can look lovely with an umbrella. Steady rain is no fun for anyone, so we keep a weather backup in the plan, and the studio is always there as a dry alternative. Let us know as soon as the forecast looks doubtful.
Yes, and it is the main reason to do one. You do not need to know how to pose: Kaushik gives simple prompts, keeps you talking and catches the moments in between. By the end most couples have stopped noticing the camera.
Many couples book six to nine months before the wedding, so the images are ready for save-the-dates. If you have a season in mind, such as spring blossom or autumn colour, get in touch early to secure a date at the right time of year.
Plan your shoot
Planning your engagement photos?
Tell us your wedding date, the kind of place you love and what the pictures are for, and we will suggest a location and a time of day.