Couple Photo Shoot

Ali and Maha Proposal - Proposal Photographer Bell's Field /  by Jan

As seen on the Irish Examiner and Yay Cork.

I do video now??

I’m no stranger to photographing proposals, like this one for example. The element of surprise is obviously very important when it comes to proposals. You don’t want the unsuspecting partner to notice you, the photographer, before the question has been asked. So this means that usually I’m hidden somewhere in the bushes with a telephoto lens and am stalking the couple like a hunter. Haha!

This one was a little different though. With this one Ali, asked me if we could do the proposal at Bell’s Field, which was the location of their first date!

Ali is from New York and got in contact with me a few months ago, planning this surprise proposal on his holidays to Ireland. The plan was for me to pretend like I’m just a photographer taking some sunset shots and that he would come up to me and ask a kind stranger to take some belated graduation photos of his girlfriend, as they didn’t get around to it earlier in the day.

By sheer coincidence, just as I was hovering around them, waiting for Ali to approach me, she mentioned what a shame it was that they didn’t get any graduation photos earlier. It was the perfect cue for Ali to jump up and approach me and for me to pretend like I had no clue what was going on.

I’d say at this stage, I’ll just let the video do the rest of the talking and make sure you wait to see the crowd’s reaction!

Proposal Video

The great thing about this style of capturing the proposal is that I didn’t have to be hidden. That makes it easier on one hand because I don’t have to anticipate they’re exact spot. I can actually tell them where to go. I just had to concentrate on not blurting out, “Hey Ali!” as soon as I saw him. Luckily my acting skills were up to par and it all played out perfectly.

5-star Google review

Ali clearly though I did a good job too, since I received this amazing 5-star Google review from him, which I also believe is the longest review I have every received from anyone:

“If you are searching the web for photographers for your event, and you have the opportunity to read my review, then consider this the ultimate sign that you should book Jan asap!

I had hired Jan to help me out with a surprise proposal to my girlfriend in Cork. He was very quick to get back to me, and agreed to do everything that the proposal needed at a very reasonable rate.

I should mention here that at the last minute, I had to shift the date of my proposal and Jan agreed to still pull through, even though it was date of his wedding anniversary. You will not be able to get that sort of professionalism and courtesy anywhere!

So yes, the proposal day finally arrived, and Jan played a huge role in pulling off the big surprise! The video came out so nice, and the photo shoot that followed was amazing. My fiance and I were over the moon with the results and everyone who saw the photos complimented them, and appreciated how nice they looked!

So good results, professional, quick turnaround times (he got us the photos a day before schedule) and all around a great company to have at your event. What else could you ask for?

It's been an absolute pleasure working with Jan and reporting back the awesome results!”

If you’d like me to photograph your proposal, say hi to me here. I’d love to hear from you!

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

• Adventure Couple Shoots in Cork

• Wedding Photography in Cork

• Newborn Baby Photography in Cork

• and more!

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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Adventure Family Photo Shoot Package Cork
Adventure Family Photo Shoot Package Cork
Ian and Miranda - Engagement Couple Photo Shoot
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Ian and Miranda - Engagement Couple Photo Shoot
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More Proposal Couple Photos in Blarney

Happiness & Joy

There’s just so much love in their eyes.

My Favourite Wedding Photography Moments, Part 1 /  by Jan

I always pinch myself on wedding days. I can’t believe I get to be a photographer and work with so many great wedding couples, like all the ones I’ve met over the years! It’s a dream come true for me.

I’ve started this series of wedding photography blog posts, an opportunity to hone in on specific moments that sometimes get lost in the other wedding blog posts about each individual wedding with the photos of the whole day.

This series is not particular order but with today’s blog post, I’m starting out strong. I absolutely love photographing the couple shoots on the wedding day! And Cork’s nature is great for it!

Nature Couple Shoots

I grew up loving nature. I spent a lot of time in the water, in the forests, hiking and climbing, exploring and having adventures. I think my upbringing really reflects in my photography. Photographing outdoors with these amazing backdrops that we are spoiled with in Ireland, make the photos so much more special. From mountains to the coast and beaches, there are so many beautiful spots in Cork for some wedding couple photography.

A nice side effect of doing the couple shoot is that it gives the couple a moment to have a breather from the rest of the wedding day. It’s in those moments that it’s beautiful to capture those intimate couple photos.

Nature Is Great but Indoors Is Cool Too

This wedding took place at the FOTA House, just outside Cork city. The couple in this case requested something different. So an indoor couple shoot it was!

My Approach – Couple Shoot Locations

When I do the couple photo shoots, I plan the locations thoroughly. I research and visit the spots beforehand, so that nothing is left to chance.

As a wedding photographer I’m looking for:

• a great location that’s easy to get to

• preferably good weather or alternatively somewhere sheltered

• the height of the sun and the sun direction

• always have a back up plan!

Besides keeping an eye on the weather report, not just temperature but wind and wind direction as well, I even research the direction and height of the sun. It’s vital information to take that into account in conjunction with the day’s programme to find the perfect time frame and spot to do the couple shoot! The light is so important!

It’s also important to be realistic with the location. A small break away from the wedding party is great, but we also don’t want to leave everyone waiting for hours, or take away from your special day and have you, the couple, missing out on fun moments.

I always do my best to find a nearby spot which is both beautiful and not difficult to get to. Especially with the bride’s dress and shoes! Talking about shoes, depending on the dress, I like to advice the bride to wear more comfortable shoes for the more adventurous couple shoots. They can then slip back into the proper wedding shoes for the party again.

Each Wedding is Unique

The great thing about weddings is that each one is unique and each wedding couple is unique. Coming from different families, different experiences and expectations, each couple has different wants and needs when it comes to their wedding. I take this very seriously as wedding photographer, and make sure to highlight the important parts and minimize or even skip the less important parts. And it’s the same when it comes to the couple shoot. Some couples might just want to be gone for a few minutes, then head back to the wedding party to not miss out on the fun, while other couples might look for a longer couples shoot at several different locations. It’s that customization of my wedding photography that I always like to emphasize to couples.

But whatever the shoot is, if it’s at an exotic location or in the hotel gardens, it’s got to look great, and I always like to think, “How would this look framed on their wall?” It has to be like a fantastic album cover, it should be striking.

Keep a look out for my next ‘Part 2’ post to find out my next favourite moment of the wedding day. Not that they are in any particular order.

Contact Me

And if you’d like to enquire about availability or my wedding packages, you can contact me here. I look forward to meeting you and to hopefully be a part of your wedding day!