Engagement Couple Shoot

Vina and Y-Dan - Proposal and Vacation Couple Photo Shoot Cork /  by Jan

I love photographing proposals! I mean, my heart is beating, I’m hoping that my instructions are understood and that the fiancé doesn’t get lost on the Blarney grounds, and that I manage to capture the moment well!

But after that, the couple photo shoots I do always end up being one of the funnest. I guess that buzz from the proposal is just unbeatable! Especially in a foreign country. Vina and Y-Dan here are from America, travelling through most of Ireland.

Magical Proposal

Blarney Castle never disappoints for these moments. Truly a thing of fairy tales.

Was this proposal a surprise? As it turns out; no. Haha! Vina was patiently impatiently waiting for Y-Dan to finally pop the question and was suspicious that it would happen on this Irish trip. Well, she was absolutely spot on!

We followed up the proposal with a gorgeous couple photo shoot around the Blarney Castle, as well as the Blarney House. It’s such a wonderful spot for photo shoots like these. There are so many great corners and locations. It doesn’t just make each photo unique, but it also makes the whole couple photo shoot so much fun.

What I love most about this specific set of couple photos is the happiness and joy that’s pouring from these two. You can tell immediately that they’re a great couple and will have a beautiful marriage one day. This will definitely set them up well. There’s just so much love in their eyes.

I made sure to leave the couple with a long list of recommendations. From restaurants and foods to try, to my favourite Irish whiskeys and the best scenic spots to visit. I know how helpful it can be to have a local give some good tips and directions!

If you are looking for a couples photographer or a proposal photo shoot, you can contact me here.

Adventure Couple Photo Shoots in Cork

And if you’re not interested in the proposal part and are just looking for a couples photographer, I also offer vacation adventure couple photo shoots where I take you on a tour of some beautiful spots in the Irish countryside.

For more on these adventure couple photo shoots, check out the following blog posts. These couple photos are great for anniversaries, engagements and general vacation shoots!

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More Proposal Couple Photos in Blarney

Happiness & Joy

There’s just so much love in their eyes.

Joe and Mae - Proposal Couple Shoot /  by Jan

I’ve been photographing a lot of weddings and engagement couple shoots in 2022. It’s been great to photograph all these happy couples, in really beautiful and lovely locations!

I mean, here’s just a quick recap:

But, let’s take it back a step. Before the couples are officially married, before they are even engaged. What about photographing a proposal? Photographing the moment it all began? Insert our protagonists for today; Joe, and an unsuspecting Mae.

Joe got on to me, a few months in advance, all the way from across the pond. They were planning a holiday to Ireland. “The perfect time to propose to my girlfriend!” he thought. It shouldn’t just be anywhere in Ireland either. Somewhere striking and beautiful. Well, it’s a good thing he got onto me, because I knew exactly where and how to do this secret proposal photo shoot.

It just had to be the Blarney Castle and Gardens in Cork! The perfect spot for our American couple. It would make for some unforgettable couple photos and I’m sure it would also mightily impress their friends and family as a very impressive gesture.

So cue flowers by Petals Floral Design, a card by local artist Nadia Rice with a personal message from Joe in it, and all laid out beautifully by yours truly, in this white basket, on top of meters of lace. I was pretty chuffed with this.

Why the basket with the flowers though? Well, it’s a combination of having a nice surprise for poor, unsuspecting Mae, and for Joe to have a marker where the perfect spot would be for the photos. Remember, I have to photograph the proposal! And without being seen! So I have to find an area which isn’t too busy, where they have a nice spot for the proposal, the angle and view of the castle is banging, and I also need a spot to hide. That’s quite a few parameters that need to be filled. And as often is this case, it sounds easier than it is! Hahaha!

A lot of work goes into these shots. Here I am beforehand, studying the grounds, creating maps and drawing in pathways for Joe to study and follow on the day. All to find the magical white basket!

Not being seen and still getting a perfect shot is a really tough one. I arrived early and placed the basket in the perfect spot, and then proceeded to hide inside a large bush/tree. I actually did such a good job at hiding that Joe wasn’t sure afterwards if I had even managed to photograph the proposal at all! That’s when I emerged from the vegetation. I think next time I might just get a ghillie suit. I clearly don’t need it but it would be funny to do, just for the laughs.

This proposal photo shoot was by far the most nerve racking shoot I have had all year! After the actual proposal, I gave the couple a few minutes to enjoy the moment and for Mae to digest what had just happened. But honestly, I needed a few minutes too! Haha!

Although, I wonder what was going on in Mae’s head! First she’s been surprised by a proposal she wasn’t expecting that day, a photographer jumping out of the bushes, and is now confronted with an engagement photo shoot in a strange country. But the two were great, and we ended up having so much fun with the couple photo shoot. And I think that really shows too. They’re a great pair together and I’m certain they will be very happy together.

They were chuffed too. This is the 5-star Google review they left behind:

“Jannik was awesome! From start to finish he made me feel comfortable, especially coming from overseas to do my engagement shots in Ireland. He went above and beyond for me and my now fiancée, ensuring I knew where to locate the spot for pictures, directing non-cheesy poses, and overall getting us to calm our nerves so we could finish our session. Side-perk: he knows all about Cork and the "to-do's" around town, so don't shy away from taking some travel advice while you're with him. Thanks again - cheers Jannik!”

Maybe we can follow this up with a Ballycotton destination wedding? Something like this?

And remember, besides couples photography, I also photograph the following:

• Family Portrait Photography in Cork

• Newborn Baby Photography in Cork

• Wedding Photography in Cork

• and more!