Couples engagement sessions in Wellington!

If you have recently celebrated your engagement, congratulations! This is an exciting time for you and your partner! Having an engagement shoot is a special way to introduce yourself to the photography side of things and celebrate this time together before you are married. Here are some reasons why I love these photo sessions with couples!

meet your photographer & get some amazing photos with your partner!

It’s a great opportunity to meet with photographers before making a final decision about who you are going to pick. Every photographer will have a different style and approach to how they direct couples. It’s important you find a photographer who makes you feel comfortable and fits with your aesthetic. It’s also the perfect time to get some photos with your pets because how often do we get the chance to have professional photos taken with them (I’ve done photo shoots with both cats and dogs before!)

Learn how easy photos can feel

I get it, I get super weird when a camera is pointing at me. Your photographer should be able to help you relax and overcome that awkward feeling. This is a great practice run for your wedding day. You might even have fun and when you look at the photos you will realise it wasn’t that bad.

WEDDING INVITATIONS

Use your new photos to announce your news online or to design your wedding save the dates or invitations, it will get people really excited!

MEMORIES

Let your engagement shoot be one of the milestones leading up to your wedding day. This is a chance to hang out with the person you love and celebrate new beginnings!

Tips for your winter photo session - Whitireia Park Family Photos

Lam and Peter braved the cold and wind for their recent engagement shoot which we also combined with some family photos of Lam and her sisters. We had originally planned to take these photos back in March, followed by their wedding in May but had to postpone everything due to lockdown. I'm so glad I was finally able to take photos for them! Winter is a little unpredictable but the light on this afternoon was worth the wait and being out in the cold.

FIND A SPECIAL LOCATION

Let’s make the most of your photo session by choosing a location that’s going to inspire you (and your photographer) and make you feel good. Turn the session into a memory, somewhere you think you will enjoy the scenery. Light is everything, so talk to your photographer about the best time of day at a particular location.

HAVE WARM OUTFIT OPTIONS

My sessions range from 30 minutes to 1 hour long. Neutral colour pallets tend to work best, or fabrics with some texture but not overly patterned. Flowy dresses look stunning but keep in mind the length if it’s going to be windy at your location. Don’t be afraid to wear white, this looks great during sunset. Bring a warm coat that you don’t mind wearing for some of the photos.

BE FLEXIBLE WHEN RESCHEDULING

I wish we could control what mother nature does on the day of our photo session. If your photos aren’t urgent I always recommend rescheduling to a different day if it’s raining or too windy. There is no extra cost for rescheduling and I do my best to be flexible with back up days. If rescheduling isn’t an option consider having an indoor location for your photos.

Tips for styling your engagement session - Whitireia Park Wellington

Jessica and Nathan spent a week in NZ and to celebrate the end of their trip before heading back to the US we met at Whitireia Park in Porirua for an epic sunset and engagement photos. When this location was first mentioned in our emails leading up to the shoot it made me so excited. Being an engagement session I knew how important this experience was for Jessica and Nathan which made me so grateful to be taking these photos for them while they were in NZ.

Couples are deciding to have an engagement shoot before their wedding day for lots of reasons, one being it’s great practice getting used to having a photographer take your photos and then you have some really great photos that can be used to announce your engagement. I’ve put together some tips for couples who are thinking about booking an engagement session and how you can style it in a way that is made easy.

FIND A SPECIAL LOCATION

Let’s make the most of it by choosing a location that’s going to inspire you (and your photographer) and make you feel good. Turn the session into a memory, somewhere you think you will enjoy the scenery. Light is everything, so talk to your photographer about the best time of day at a particular location.

HAVE OUTFIT OPTIONS

My engagement sessions tend to be 1 hour long, which is plenty of time for an outfit change. While you and your partner don’t want to look too matchy-matchy, pick outfits that will complement each other. Neutral colour pallets tend to work best, or fabrics with some texture but not overly patterned. Flowy dresses look stunning but keep in mind the length if it’s going to be windy at your location. Don’t be afraid to wear white, this looks great during sunset.

The Best Photography Locations in Wellington, New Zealand

I’ll often get asked where the best spots in Wellington are for photography. We’re really lucky in Wellington as we can easily travel from the city to the hills with a view or the coastline. In this post I’ve put together a few of my favourite locations for wedding photos, engagement shoots or family sessions. All of these locations have their own benefits and suitable times of the day for the best outcome in your photos. Get in touch directly if you’d like to know more about these locations and if they will be suitable for your next photo shoot.

AT THE SEASIDE - PETONE BEACH, LOWER HUTT

Pros: Petone Beach is an easy-access location with great views of Wellington City. On one side of the wharf is the dog beach, so there is a dog-friendly area and on the other side of the wharf there are usually no dogs off leads. In the summertime, the grass area is covered in bunny tail grass which I love photographing in. This area can also be more sheltered from high winds coming from the North/West.

Things to be mindful of: It’s a popular location, and lots of people are out walking their dogs so it can feel busy (good news is I can avoid having people in the background of your photos, so no issues there).

Best time of day for photos here: Approx 1 or 1.5 hours before sunset depending on the time of year and the weather forecast (particularly in winter the light gets lost behind the hills a bit quicker than expected).

SUNSET AND VIEWS - WHITIREIA PARK, PORIRUA

Pros: Whitireia Park is one of those spots that make you feel extremely grateful for living in New Zealand. It’s an easy location to drive to for a panoramic view of the ocean, Mana Island and in the distance on some days you can also see the South Island. There are multiple areas for photos here and some long grass areas.

Things to be mindful of: There is no hiding from the weather here, bring warm clothing and hair ties or wear your hair back. This location isn’t suitable for high wind forecasts.

Best time of day for photos: 1 hour before sunset.

PHOTOS IN NATURE - PERCY RESERVE, LOWER HUTT

Pros: A great location for families with younger children who aren’t able to stay up late for a sunset session at Petone or Eastbourne Beach. It’s also great on a windy day rather than doing photos at the beach as it’s more sheltered. There are a few areas within walking distance of the car park that I like to use and I’ll often finish the session at the duck pond so children can enjoy that part of the reserve. This reserve is also great because of the open spaces and concreted pathways, it’s not overwhelming with green tones which can sometimes affect the colour of skin in photos if it’s a highly dense bush area.

Things to be mindful of: In winter it can get cold in the reserve from 3 pm as it doesn’t see much sun after this time.It’s not suitable for dogs.

Best time of day for photos here: morning or early/afternoon in winter. Early morning or early evening in Summer.

HISTORICAL AND STUNNING - TRUBY KING PARK, MELROSE

Pros: This is a historical site of the founders of the Plunket Society. If the beach isn’t your favourite location, then this one could be it instead. I love the old brick archways and paths, the garden sweeps around the building giving you a number of spots to pick from. In the late afternoon, you can hear the lions at the zoo roaring. There is also a pine forecast nearby that can also be used for photos if the light is too bright in the main gardens.

Things to be mindful of: Parking is limited and some areas are cornered off due to earthquake damage.

Best time of day for photos here: 1 hour before sunset or early morning.

LONG GRASS AND BEACHY - EASTBOURNE, LOWER HUTT

Pros: Eastbourne has been a popular spot because of its long grass and beach setting. It’s a lot quieter than Petone Beach which some clients prefer. This can also be a beautiful spot at sunset.

Things to be mindful of: It is a more exposed location to windy weather. I recommend bringing a jacket and hair ties just in case.

Best time of day for photos here: 1 hour before sunset in summer or 1.5 hours in winter, depending on the time of year and the weather forecast (particularly in winter the light gets lost behind the hills a bit quicker than expected).

IN THE CITY - BROOKLYN CENTRAL PARK, WELLINGTON

Pros: This location is very easy to get to near the CBD but at the same time it is out of the hustle. It’s great for being shaded away from the bright sun (bright sunny days aren’t usually the best light for photos), so this location is perfect for daytime family sessions with children if a sunset session isn’t an option. The park is also dog friendly on leads and there is a playground that we can go to at the end of the photo shoot.

Things to be mindful of: Sometimes parking is limited on the street, it can just mean parking further up the road and walking down to the entrance a minute or two.

Best time of day for photos here: Morning or afternoon in winter. Or Late afternoon/early evening in Summer around 5pm.

PHOTOS IN NATURE - MOONSHINE PARK, UPPER HUTT RIVER

Pros: An easy location for those living in Lower Hutt. It has good parking and a couple of spots for photos. It’s also dog friendly!

Things to be mindful of: It can be a little noisy as it is right next to a bridge on the motor way.

Best time of day for photos here: Early morning or late afternoon about 1.5 hours before sunset.

ICONIC - PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS, WELLINGTON CITY

Pros: Wanting a more urban city vibe? Wellington’s parliament buildings are a mix of historic and modern backdrops. This is a great location on a rainy day as well, there are some sheltered areas for photos.

Things to be mindful of: This is a location that you require permission to use for professional photos but I can arrange this for you with enough notice.

Best time of day for photos here: Afternoon

BELMONT RECREATION RESERVE - LOWER HUTT RIVER

Pros: Lower Hutt river has a few different areas that are suitable for photos but I love Belmont Recreation Reserve! It has good parking and multiple spots for photos including a garden lawn setting and then the river bank. There is also a playground area that kids can play on after the photo session.

Things to be mindful of: Getting into the reserve from the motorway can sometimes be a challenge during busy periods.

Best time of day for photos here: This can depend on the weather forecast and time of year but as a rule, anytime from about 2.5-2 hours before sunset is suitable before the light is lost in behind the hills.

URBAN VIBES - WELLINGTON CITY

Pros: If you’d like to showcase our beautiful city there’s no better place than the waterfront or around Cuba Street. I really like the backdrops along Leeds/Eva Street and Wigan Street.

Things to be mindful of: Parking can be difficult and expensive in the city, plus dodging crowds can make it take a bit longer than other locations. You will need to walk to get to each location, which may not be suitable for families with younger children.

Best time for photos here: Late afternoon/early evening for the CBD, 1 to 2 hours before sunset along the waterfront.

ROUGH COAST LINE - BREAKER BAY, WELLINGTON

Pros: On the other end of town is the coastline that looks out to sea and a number of bays that are great for photos that tend to be really quiet with less people around. I like this spot for its grassy area as well as the beach just down the road.

Things to be mindful of: This is one of the furthest away locations from my home, so this there is a slightly higher travel fee. Can also be exposed to cold southerlies.

Best time of day for photos here: 1 hour before sunset

PHOTOS IN NATURE - SPICER PARK, PORIRUA

Pros: Great all year round for family and portrait sessions. Great for families with young children who can’t wait up for sunset photos at the beach. It’s also dog friendly.

Things to be mindful of: It gets dark 2-3 hours before sunset due to the surrounding hills.

Best time of day for photos here: 3 hours before sunset.

THE BEST AFTERNOON LIGHT - REDROCKS, Owhiro Bay WELLINGTOn

Pros: Of all the sunset locations, Redrocks tends to be the most magical in Summer.

Things to be mindful of: The beach area I use for photos is about 5 minutes walk from the car park. Sometimes the car park is full and there are a lot of people here in Summer time. This is one of the furthest away locations from my home, so this there is a slightly higher travel fee. Can also be exposed to cold southerlies. Not suitable in winter due to the low sunset behind the hills.

Best time of day for photos here: Depending on the time of year, I suggest arriving 1 hour before sunset.

BLOSSOM VALLEY - ASTON NORWOOD GARDENS, KAITOKE UPPER HUTT

Pros: The Blossom Valley festival is a stunning and unique attraction, making it a really special photo location.

Important information: The Japanese cherry blossom trees only bloom for a short period of time from around mid-September and finish early October, depending on the weather. However, the gardens are beautiful all year round.

Things to be mindful of: There is a ticket fee to access this venue. I will organise permission to photograph here on your behalf. During school holidays, the blossom festival is very busy and popular, making parking accessibility not as easy. If you would like photos during the blossom season, please book well in advance as spaces are popular.

Best time of day for photos here: We are limited to their opening hours. I recommend early morning for summer or late afternoon for winter/spring.