Couple Photo Shoot

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!







S&R - Wedding at FOTA House /  by Jan

Third time lucky is what they say, isn’t it? Venues, that is.

This is Steve and Rachel. Just post their wedding ceremony. All the documents have been signed, the rings have settled on each other’s fingers.

The temperature was mid to late 20’s, not that anyone was complaining though! We’d gladly take this sunshine and beautiful weather for a wedding day in exchange for some sweat. It was one of the best days to get married on. Good thing it didn’t go to plan the first couple of times. Not for a lack of trying though!

It was all, unfortunately, due to the pandemic (I won’t dare mention the ‘c-19’ * ahem * everyone is talking about). Three dates and three venues later, and we find ourselves finally for a beautiful wedding at Cork’s FOTA House. This gorgeous venue is not unaccustomed to hosting weddings, and luckily for me, it’s a wedding photographer’s dream! It’s almost as if you don’t even need to try to get a good photo with a building like this.

Pre-Ceremony Preparations

Bride Arriving

The usual pre-ceremony nerves started to cultivate, ramping up as more and more guests trickled in and the clock kept ticking closer to the ceremony starting time. But to the groom’s relief, the bride was not only punctual, but perfectly on time! I’m not sure if his nerves would have handled a delay.

The Bride’s Arrival

“But to the groom’s relief, the bride was not only punctual, but perfectly on time!”

The Flower Girl

Rachel was greeted by her daughter who had the honour of filling the job of being the flower girl. Her excitement was unquestionable! I thought this would be the best way to capture that.

Last minute hair touch-ups made for briefly worried faces. But after a collective group effort, the bride was perfectly ready for her big moment down the aisle with her father.

Wedding Ceremony

With the wedding ceremony taking place in this former entertainment room, with high ceiling and large windows, giving the special occasion a simultaneously intimate, yet airy and spacious feeling.

With the aisle being so short though, I had to be prepared and snap those photos quickly before everyone had already walked past. These are the challenges of a wedding photographer. Best case scenario; you make it look easy!

Sand Pouring Ceremony

It was a gorgeous wedding ceremony, that had all guests laughing at the right times, then crying at others. The sand pouring ceremony is something that has become a tradition in itself, and I personally think it’s a beautiful addition to what we have become to expect from traditional weddings!

All the documents have been signed, the rings have settled on each other’s fingers. The ceremony is over and we move on outside. Time for the meet and greet of all the friends and family members who were able to make it here today.

Importantly, this is the time for me to stay on top of my wedding photographer duties and shoot the family group photos, the couple photos and get the casual shots of everyone enjoying their time.

This wedding was a wonderful depiction of the couple themselves and was a joy to photograph. It was easy going, relaxed and fun. No high expectations, just a thankfulness that they could finally get married and that all the most important people could make it to their wedding.

Where are the wedding couple photos?

Those deserved their very own blog post, so make sure to view the wedding couple photo shoot here!

Wedding Couple Photo Shoot

Make sure to view it here in a separate blog post. The FOTA House made for such a unique shooting location!

View Photo Shoot

Testimonial

After I had finished editing the photos and sent them on to the couple, they were kind enough to write me a 5 star review on Google and it was one of the loveliest reviews I have gotten thus far, so I thought I’d share it here:

“We hired Jannik for our wedding ceremony, we were so delighted from start to finish, he is such a lovely guy and could really get a sense of his passion for his craft, he provided us with the most breathtaking photographs of our big day and cannot thank or recommend him enough!”

- Rachel

Contact me here for my wedding packages and availability. And if you’d like to see more wedding photos I shot in Cork, check out this filtered blog post section, here.

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