Engagement Photos in Wellington: Your Pre-Wedding Shoot

Hey, I'm Andy, a Wellington wedding photographer. Couples often ask me whether they should get engagement photos done. My answer is yes, and you don't need to book anything extra to get them. The pre-wedding shoot that comes with my wedding collections is your engagement shoot.

Here's how it works, where to go around Wellington, and how to get the most out of it.

Engagement photos come with your wedding collection

Both of my wedding collections include a pre-wedding consultation and a pre-wedding shoot:

• Essential, $3,250: 8 hours of wedding coverage, your full gallery within 72 hours, and an optional 30-minute pre-wedding shoot.
• Complete, $5,500: 14+ hours of coverage, an extended pre-wedding shoot, a venue scouting session and a sneak peek within 24 hours.

The shoot happens at a location of your choice around Wellington. You can see everything each collection includes on my pricing page, and how the wedding day itself works on my Wellington wedding photography page.

Why a pre-wedding shoot is worth doing

You get used to the camera. If you've never been properly photographed, it can feel strange at first. Half an hour together sorts that out well before the day that counts.

You get used to me. You learn how I give directions, what I mean when I say "walk towards me and ignore me", and that I'm not going to ask you to do anything awkward. On the wedding day, that saves time and nerves.

You get photos you can use. Save-the-dates, your engagement announcement, your wedding website, a welcome sign at the reception or a guest book.

You can test the rest of the look. If you book your hair or makeup trial for the same day, you'll see how it holds up in the wind and on camera.

Where to take engagement photos in Wellington

Wellington has a lot of variety within a short drive. A few places that work well:

• Oriental Bay and the waterfront: the city, the harbour and plenty of room to walk. It gets busy in the middle of the day, so go early or late.
• Mount Victoria: big views over the city and harbour from the lookout, and sheltered bush tracks lower down for when the wind picks up.
• Wellington Botanic Garden: lawns, big trees and the rose garden in season. My Botanic Garden guide covers the best spots.
• The south coast: rocks, waves and big skies around Owhiro Bay and towards Red Rocks. Bring a jacket.
• Boom Rock: clifftop views west of the city, on private land, so check access with the venue first. More in my Boom Rock guide.
• The Kapiti Coast: long, west-facing beaches for sunset. See Kapiti Coast weddings.

The best location is often somewhere that means something to the two of you: where you met, your favourite café, a walk you do every weekend, or your own home. Those photos tend to feel the most like you. If you're getting married outside the city, the areas I cover are all fair game for a shoot too.

When to book, and the best time of day

If you want the photos for save-the-dates, book the shoot a few months before you plan to send them. If not, any time before the wedding works, and closer to the day keeps the "getting used to the camera" part fresh.

For light, the hour or so before sunset is hard to beat. In midsummer the sun doesn't set until after 8.30pm, so an evening shoot after work is easy. In winter it's dark not long after 5pm, so we'd start mid-afternoon.

Wellington wind is part of life here. I'll always have a sheltered backup spot in mind, and if the forecast is properly wild we'll work out the best option together.

What to wear

• Wear something that feels like you. If you never wear heels, now isn't the time to start.
• Coordinate, don't match. Pick two or three colours that sit well together rather than identical outfits.
• Solid colours and soft textures photograph better than small busy patterns or big logos.
• Bring a layer. A good jacket or knit looks great on camera and keeps you warm when the southerly comes through.
• Wear shoes you can walk in. Bring the nice ones in a bag if the location involves a track or a beach.

With the longer session in the Complete collection, there's usually time for a quick change if you'd like two different looks.

How to relax in front of the camera

You don't need to know how to pose. I give you simple things to do, like walking, talking, or telling each other a story, and photograph what happens. Bring your dog if you have one. And you don't have to look at the camera or smile the whole time: the in-between moments are often the best ones.

Planning something smaller?

If you're eloping or planning a very small ceremony, have a look at my elopement photography page and tell me what you have in mind. And if you're still deciding how much of the wedding day you want covered, my guide to how many hours of wedding photography you need has sample timelines for both collections.

Want engagement photos as part of your wedding? Check my availability and tell me your date and venue.