I’ve got a confession to make. Sometimes I get overwhelmed. And by overwhelmed I mean by the many W-day themes and colour schemes and D.I.Y ideas and frothy fashion and fabulous florals and and and….
And…. as a result, it’s really refreshing just to see great photography of people completely and utterly in love, no props, no gimmicks, no special effects.
Yup that’s it. You, him, some kissing, some laughter, some genuine looking into one another’s eyes and seeing together foreverness. Or in this case, Emily and Petes’ engagement shoot in the glorious first rush of spring. I even decided to chose mostly black and white shots and really strip it right down….. Because you don’t always need a rainbow of colour when you have the real addicted-to-each-other deal.
All of the love is captured by the lovely Dominique Bader who is without doubt, one of the most enthusiastic and professional industry folk I have ever had the pleasure of dealing with. In fact, as a result of her professionalism and obvious talent Dominique was invited and promptly joined the Love Lust List…..
Oh yes lovelies, we hadn’t forgotten. Just making it perfect, that’s all.
RMW reader Emily has written all about her shoot experience and I’d really appreciate it if you gorgeous lot would give her, her fiance Pete and photographer Dominique a big community *Hello* in the comments box below, they’re an altogether thoroughly lovely bunch.
Until we got engaged and I started looking around for wedding ideas, I had never really heard of anyone having an engagement photo shoot. We both knew what kind of wedding style we didn’t want, so I started reading wedding blogs for ideas and inspiration (kind of got a bit addicted as there is so much loveliness) and was blown away by all the amazing and stunning weddings other couples have created, and such variation!
What stood out for me on most of these blogs though was the style of photography; these were not just photos of people at a wedding that I have seen a million times before, these images captured the moments, feelings, personality of the people in the pictures and beauty of the wedding – each picture a work of art, not just part of the process. I wanted something we could look back for years to come and remember every detail all over again.
After looking around at various photographers, we had two to decide between and chose Dominique because her images were really beautiful but also natural and felt they showed ‘real’ people. Through her website, Dominique also came across as a really nice, normal, and down-to-earth person who was really passionate about her work and wanted the couple’s she worked with to have the best experience.
We booked our engagement shoot for early March, planning to use one of the images as our wedding invitations. Having spoke to Dominique a couple of times before she came all the way up north to Leeds, we knew a little of what to expect, although I (not so much Pete as he is the most laid back person ever!) was still a bit nervous as a photo shoot is not something I have ever done: have I worn the right clothes, have I got enough make up on, is my hair looking super windswept (which it did but I actually didn’t mind this!) etc…and am one of those who doesn’t really like any photo that I am in!
However, as once we met Dominique and her husband, Samuel, soon felt at ease. They were both really lovely. Dominique gave us gentle direction and hints of how to stand as well as encouragement – I especially liked…’if I am not saying anything it’s because it looks stunning already!’. All the while Samuel, clearly a very kind and supportive husband spent his Sunday off work holding our coats and bags (special mention of thanks here 
We were really lucky to have such a lovely sunny day and within no time relaxed into the shoot. We spent the morning taking photos at the Town Hall and on the uni campus before heading over to Roundhay park after lunch – the aim being to get a good range of urban, city shots as well as some in a more green setting. With the sun brought out every man and his dog (literally!) but we managed to get enough to call it a day at about 3pm, allowing Dominique and Samuel to head of on their long journey home to London, and me to get on with more wedding crafts!
We both had a lovely day, and thought it was totally not weird as I thought it was going to be! Obviously I had not seen the photos at this point but felt much happier anyway to have met Dominique before the wedding day as she was really easy to get on with and knew I would feel comfortable asking any questions if I need to.
Having the engagement shoot has given a more personal touch as it now feels like our photographer is more of a friend who is coming to take photos rather than just someone who I have never met arriving at my hotel room on one of the most special days of my life.
I wasn’t expecting to see the photos for at least a week so when I saw Dominique’s post on Twitter about an engagement shoot pop up on my computer on the Tuesday morning…I actually got butterflies in my tummy with excitement/nervousness. But, wow! Apart from the engagement (obviously) I think this was the most excited I have ever been – I truly loved the photos! I sent the link straight over to Pete (as well as the girls in my office, my sister, and my best friends!). Pete loved them too, my sister actually emailed straight back and said ‘Oh Emily, they are so beautiful I almost cried!’.
I am 100% confident now about the wedding photos, actually can’t wait for them because I know they are going to be brilliant. As a worrier, this is the best thing for me, as I now have one less thing to think about whilst we plan the rest of the wedding – which includes MANY home-made crafty decorations, cake baking, possibly the randomest colour theme (i.e. no colour theme – of which I am slightly concerned about!), and the honeymoon still to book!
So, thank you Dominique for your beautiful photos, making us look so good, and for my piece of mind Right, back to the bunting…
That last image gets me every time. I think it must be the whole kissing on the forehead thing, like Emily is the most precious thing in the world…..you know?
Oh dear. Mrs O’Shea has gone all misty eyed and everything.
Must be the love addiction….
Big Black And White Love
Charlotte xxx
really lovely
Oh my. This is all rather beautiful.
I want to sit in crosuses! (croci?!)
Err, I also want that coat. Seriously, it’s a beaut.
Stunning photography! They are so in love, you can just see!
Bee-yoo-tiful.
I love the simplicity of the photographs, they are just stunning.
Also love that Leeds is the location (the same place as our shoot!) and also loving that I have the same peach cardi
xoxo
Confession from me – I don’t usually like engagement shoots much. But these are just lovely. Really natural, unpretentious and the couple look all glossy and magazine-worthy, whilst still looking very ‘real’ at the same time.
The pic with the crocus (crocuses? croci?! What is the plural?!) is just lush. x
What a lovely shoot! I have been sort of half dreading mine, thinking it will be a bit weird, but this has made me feel much more normal about it.
Emily looks absolutely beautiful, in fact the pair of them look rather lovely. Love the crocus shot!
Ha! I think Laura and I posted the croci conundrum at exactly the same time!! Lovely all the same x
Simply gorgeous!
beautiful. the black and whites are my fave, and that coat it just perfect! what a stunning couple.
Seriously, man. I can’t stop looking at the coat.
Just so natural and effortless yet stunning!
And I am loving Emily’s hair.
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These are so amazing! Dominiquw, fantastic job. These images are incredibly sharp, and the lighting is breathtaking. That one of them sitting in the field of crocuses is brilliant. Congratulations, Emily and Pete! What a gorgeous couple!
Oh this is just gorgeousness.
It’s actually persuaded me to look into an engagement shoot with the photographer we’ve booked for our wedding next August.
The whole prospect of having my photo taken for a WHOLE DAY literally makes me panic a bit, but these photos are so beautiful, it makes me think that spending time with your photographer, getting to know them and spending some chillout time with the fiance can only be a good thing!
E-mail has been sent! Aren’t I brave?! :S
Love the last image, completely perfect. Sort of makes me wish I was having an engagement shoot myself now, it’s just so real, and full of real love.
It just reminds me, amongst all the W-day fuss, fretting and fun, what it is and what it means to be truly in love, and what the wedding is really about. It makes me want to go and find my H2B and hold him tight, and be held, and just feel that feeling ♥
Thank you Charlotte for the wonderful feature! It’s so lovely to see Emily and Pete on here; they are such a fantastic couple and I can’t wait to shoot their wedding.
Just utterly beautiful. That is all.
I think it helps being comfortable with your wedding photographer if:
(a) You’re both really attractive
(b) You get photos like THESE
I vote you wear that cardigan come W-Day because I love it!
OMG – I am lost for words. Emily – these are gorgeously stunning! You both look so happy and relaxed!
Enjoy the bunting!
P.S – Thank you Charlotte for posting this – it has just turned my day around! xxxxx
ooo this is a beaut. Natural beautiful L.O.V.E – right up my street – not a prop insight – Just perfect xx
p.s you are a sickiningly hot couple!
<3 Wowzers……
Wow – thank you everyone for your lovely comments (they are actually making me blush!). I love the photos so MASSIVE thanks to Dominique and, like I said, totally not worried about the wedding photos at all if they look like these. Would recommend an engagement shoot to anyone.
and Laura – the coat is from Zara although a few year’s old now.
P.S Katie – good taste on the cardi
Hi Everyone!
Again you guys never cease to make me smile, such a friendly, lovely bunch.
Dominique and Emily, its brides and photographers like you guys that make RMW what it is, a place full of great people and ridiculously pretty pictures
Charlotte xxx
is it just me or does emily have a touch of La Hurley about her, esp in that last pic?
OK, so while these make me sad that my e-shoot had to be called off (due to torrential derbyshire rain – booo), they are super super lovely.
r.now x x x
PS shout out for the non-colour scheme!!
Beautiful! Agree about the forehead kissing thing, love it!
Truly beautiful images.
What a great couple and yes, I love the coat too.
Beautiful pictures, love how natural they are! x
Gorgeous shoot and I have no doubt the wedding photos will be just as amazing
congrats!
Gorgeous! I agree with the Liz Hurley thing, too!
Our shoot is in 2 weeks- yikes!
WOW.
I was speechless the first time I saw these, so had to come back later on to actually post.
They are absolutely breathtaking. I can’t help but go back over and over them again and again.
Actually Emily reminds me a little of Kristin Stewart, who by the way I think is one of the most beautiful women on the planet right now.
xx
These are amazing! The picture of them sitting with the crocuses made me think of Edward and Bella in their meadow
Ahh the romance!! x
WOW-gorgeous couple and gorgeous pics!
My fiancé and I opted against an engagement shoot but after seeing these amazing shots-and reading Emily’s words of advice-I think we might just have to have one now!!
Only got 5 months to go-better get a move on…
Second post for me today-I’m doing well so far!
lovely!
Thank you everyone for the kind comments, so nice to read all this lovely feedback
A very, simple and honest shoot. It’s great to see a photographer letting the subject speak for itself and executing it so beautifully. Very refreshing and makes you question your own practice…
Emily/Katie can I ask where is the peach cardi from? I love it….
This is such a beautiful shoot! Exactly the kind of relaxed photos I want on my wedding day.
Emily – I read that you are having a ‘no-colour’ theme and I am SO EXCITED because this is what I am doing and it seems as though noone else does it! How are you getting on with it??
My mum just emailed to say that she had tears in her eyes reading all the amazing comments so thank you so much for making her a very proud mum.
Sarah – the cardi is from good old Topshop. It is relatively new so I think they might still have it. It is very comfy!
Lorien – it is going ok (I think!). I knew I didn’t want anything too uniform, like one or two colours and that we wanted it to be quite informal and relaxed, but also I couldn’t decide which colours I liked the best – there is so many gorgeous weddings out there on these blogs I kept changing my mind! So I kind of just choose a few different fabrics I liked and went from there – although I am a bit worried how things will look all together. I think (fingers crossed) it should be ok though as we are not really matching anything – like Pete, best men and dads are not wearing the same suits or anything so at least we are sticking with consistent randomness
Plus the colours are quite vibrant so, at worst, it should still have a party atmosphere! 
Lovely pics!
We’re also having our photos taken on Leeds Uni campus as that’s were we both work. I’m so glad to see that it’s a fab backdrop to use, though we’re nowhere near as glam as this couple!
Emily, thanks so much for sharing your shoot with us, your wedding sounds beautiful and we can’t wait to see it
Charlotte xxx
Thanks again everyone for taking the time to comment, such a nice bunch of readers you are! Every comment is so lovely. Thanks to the RMW team for featuring the shoot
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OMG..what a beautifully photogenic couple and a wonderful set of piccys!! x
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