Journal

Jana & Alex's Pre-Wedding Engagement Shoot, UK

Jana and Alex booked us for their pre-wedding engagement shoot over in the UK, to be shot at one of their very favourite places: Dinton Pastures Country Park near Reading in Berkshire. It is a true haven for wildlife and people alike, and holds a special place in this couple's hearts, so we were very happy to create some beautiful images and memories for them here.

Jana and Alex embracing on a small jetty over a wind-rippled lake

Love by the lakes at Dinton Pastures

A 450-acre setting

Dinton Pastures is a pretty park, with lakes and gardens, spread over 450 acres. There is a small place to eat called The Dragon Fly Cafe, which is where we first met this wonderful, fun-loving couple. We knew from the outset that the day would be fun and that they were up for any challenge we threw at them.

Spring blossom backdrops

The stunning pale white blossoms were out in abundance on the trees, so we used this to celebrate the season of spring. It made for such a delicate and beautiful backdrop for their photographs — soft and romantic, and when the sun came out, they looked awesome against the bright blue sky.

Down by the lake

We then ventured to the large lake to join the Canada geese and the white swans. Risking life and limb — well, maybe our noses — we got some cracking shots of Jana and Alex among the wild birds. The hissing still rings in my ears.

A family shoot

After a short while, their daughter came from school to join us and the pre-wedding shoot became a fun-filled family shoot, utilising the play area with its collection of wooden climbing apparatus.

We loved shooting your family and we look forward very much to photographing your wedding in April. Thank you for choosing us to make amazing memories for your engagement shoot.

With all our love, Nick and Aimie xx

The full gallery

Couple cuddling beside a wooden fence under white spring blossom

Jana nestling into Alex's shoulder among blossom

Couple walking hand in hand along a lakeside path

Swan in the foreground as the couple embrace by the lake

Couple holding each other on the lakeshore with swans and geese nearby

Couple walking among geese and swans at the water's edge

Jana and Alex laughing in a hug beside the water

Black-and-white photo of the couple kissing among trees

Couple smiling nose to nose in winter coats beside the lake

Couple walking hand in hand down a woodland path

Couple hugging at the water's edge, framed by bare branches

Reflection of the couple kissing in a puddle

Jana and Alex embracing on a jetty on the lake at Dinton Pastures

Alex kissing Jana's forehead with the lake behind them

Black-and-white photo of the couple cuddling and laughing by the lake

Couple laughing against a tree trunk framed by green foliage

Couple standing beneath a large willow tree by the lake

Couple embracing beneath trailing willow branches

Jana in a red scarf standing close to Alex by the lake

Jana and Alex cuddling nose to nose among trees by the lake

Couple standing together in the distance amid a tangle of woodland

Black-and-white photo of the couple among gnarled tree branches

Couple standing on a fallen tree trunk in lakeside woodland

Jana in a red scarf smiling beside Alex among twisted branches

Couple walking hand in hand with a young girl along a country track

Couple laughing in the woods with a young girl between them

Young girl standing at the far end of a wooden play tunnel

Young girl in a pink coat smiling beside a wooden post

Young girl peeking out from a wooden play structure

Black-and-white photo of the couple laughing together in a play tunnel

Couple and young girl peering through a wooden climbing frame

Couple embracing, glimpsed between wooden posts

Black-and-white photo of the couple sharing a cuddle with a young girl by a log

Overhead view of the couple and a young girl in a rope spider-web climbing net

Jana and Alex laughing in a hug inside a wooden play structure

Young girl in a fur-trimmed hood smiling in front of white blossom

Alex kissing Jana's head in front of a tree in full white blossom

Couple smiling together as they lean on a wooden gate

Young girl sitting on a giant wooden throne in a playground

Couple embracing on the shore in hazy backlight, the sea behind them

Couple holding each other on the rocks at the water's edge at sunset

Couple standing at the top of a rocky cascade in green woodland

Golden double-exposure portrait of a couple holding hands at sunset, Wokefield Park

Bride and groom smiling through a shower of confetti at Liopetro

Fairy-light bokeh framing a couple in a doorway under a starry sky at Liopetro, Kouklia

Charlene and Ben twirling on a sunlit track lined with dry grasses at Liopetro, Kouklia

Bride and groom posing with a vintage white car and a motorbike at Liopetro

Hedsor House lit up at night with Jade and Ian in the doorway

Jade and Peter strolling through Anassa's white arched cloister

Emily and Chris silhouetted against the dusk sky, bouquet held high, at Minthis, Paphos

Couple silhouetted against an orange sunset, her veil flying, at Alassos

Jana and Alex hugging on a jetty above choppy lake water