Lauren and Michael - Engagement Couple Shoot Gougane Barra / June 24, 2023 by Jan

What a sunset! What a gorgeous couple! What a location!

Let me introduce you to Lauren and Michael. So what is the special occasion for this couple shoot? Well, handsome Michael here has recently popped the big question to Lauren. I believe I see a sparkling ring here.

Now that’s a good sized ring!

We had planned this lovely sunset photo shoot at St Finbarr’s Oratory, followed by some more photos in the Gougane Barra forest. Some amazing locations! But these locations don’t always play ball with us photographers.

When I checked the weather forecast the day before, I got a bit of a shock. Not only was there a torrential rainstorm expected, but also lightning and thunder! I couldn’t do that to the poor couple. So a quick ring to Lauren and an unexpected question, “Hey, do you wanna do the shoot tonight instead?”

And just like that, the shoot was saved. I’m still so grateful to them both for being so spontaneous and fun!

Luckily we were bathing in this sunlight, and with Lauren’s dress and the flowers, I’m already getting some romantic wedding vibes from this shoot! I can picture it all already! Well, the location is probably the main contributor. I mean this is one of the best hotspots for intimate weddings in County Cork (one I’m actually booked for next year – can’t wait!).

After all the glorious sunset photos at St Finbarr’s, the cloud cover did come over as we headed into the forest.

Originating from Limerick, Michael met Lauren abroad in Canada and have now moved back to Ireland, staying in Cork city. Lauren was so unaccustomed to our entire lack of predatory animals in our wildlife, always looking out for bears and other creatures we thankfully don’t have! Always good to be on the lookout though!

5-star Google Review

I received this lovely review from Lauren, who said;

“My fiance and I had a great time doing our photoshoot with Jannik, he made us feel at ease and we absolutely love the photos!”

I can’t wait for my next shoot in this area, so if you want to make my day and want to do a couple shoot similar to this in Gougane Barra, do say hello to me here.

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

• Wedding Photography Shoots in Cork

• Proposal Photography in Cork

• Adventure Family Photography and Couples Photography in Cork

• and more!

Ali and Maha Proposal - Proposal Photographer Bell's Field / June 1, 2023 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 / May 6, 2023 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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