As a Scotland engagement photographer, specialising in couple and engagement photo sessions, I’ll be happy to provide you with advice and recommendations. And whether it’s an outfit or location that you need recommendation on – I’m always available to help you.
Engagement photos are one of the most beautiful memories you will keep. Whether you are just taking a short trip to Scotland or you’ve lived here your entire life – pre-wedding photoshoot is something totally worth it.
So let’s make your Scotland engagement photoshoot an unforgettable experience!
Edinburgh engagement session ideas – tips & FAQ | Edinburgh engagement photographer
Having a pre-wedding / engagement shoot is an amazing idea. Especially if you’re thinking about engagement photos in Scotland!
Why should we have an engagement session?
Where should we have our engagement session in Edinburgh? What are the best locations? What if we are considering a different location in Scotland?
When shall we have our engagementg photoshoot in Scotland?
What should we wear for our engagement photos in Scotland?
My top tips: go barefoot for beach engagement session. Don’t wear high heels if you hate them. Don’t wear dresses if you don’t like them. Don’t be scared to wear a beanie or gloves in the winter. Scotland can be super cold and windy then!
I’d also advise you against clothes with patterns or logos on them. Romantic and moody landscapes of Scotland don’t go very well with these. Plus, they often also distract the viewer from most important part of the photo – the couple.
Additionally, when you’re booking an engagement shoot and are unsure about what to wear, I’ll be happy to give you some outfit-related advice depending on the place we have planned our shoot in. Generally, I like seeing people in neutral colours – especially when surrounded by nature.
Earthy colours also go amazing with the atmosphere of Edinburgh and Scotland – my favourite clothes colours include mustard, brown, orange, grey, beige, but also red and green. Although – green is not a good idea if our backdrop is nature/plants, as it blends in the background.
I love to create a colour pop effect in my photographs so if we’re going to shoot at the Botanics or Holyrood Park, yellow, mustard or orange will be the most wonderful colours choices. What about colours I would avoid? Intense blue, pink, purple and both partners wearing black. I always recommend a bit of a variety and slightly more neutral colour choices.
What else? Maxi dresses look super romantic in photos taken in Scotland. And this look is not just for the Outlander fans, I promise! A very classy look for a guy is chinos and a smart shirt. When it comes to colder times of the year, longer coats look incredibly elegant. Beige, grey, black ones create a very classy look especially when surrounded by Scottish landscapes. Cosy sweaters are also a great idea for an autumn or winter engagement session in Scotland.
Why not consider having professional hair and make-up done for your engagement photoshoot in Scotland?
If you are unsure about what to do with your hair or what kind of make-up would suit your outfit you should definitely consider this step.
A professional stylist / hairdresser / MUA will help you look incredible and will give you some useful tips, without a doubt.
Make and adventure out of it.
Go to a delicious weekend brunch or start your day with a big cup of coffee at your favorite café and invite your photographer to meet you there.
The better you know your photographer and the more comfortable you feel around them, the better the photographs will be. Get in the car and head outside the city, go for a long walk before the start of your session.
Or simply go somewhere neither of you have ever been to – what if you discover a new, magical or a hidden place somewhere in Scotland?
Chase the light.
If possible, try to schedule your engagement session two hours before the sunset or shortly before the sunrise (but only if you’re an early bird in this case!).
The golden hour is my favourite time of the day – it’s a period shortly after sunrise or before sunset during which light is beautiful, warm and soft. This time of the day gives you the best chance for outstanding photographs.
So the rule is: the lower the sun is in the sky, the better everything will look in the pictures. But one thing to bear in mind is that sunsets in Scotland are unfortunately quite rare. Overcast though it something to expect on a majority of days, no matter the season of the year.
Although the sky is often cloudy and seeing the sunset is impossible, it will give us an opportunity to create darker, moody look in the photos, which goes so well with the Scottish landscapes and atmosphere. A little bit of rain will not hurt either, as the colours become beautiful and saturated. One top tip when it comes to Scotland – it doesn’t hurt to carry an umbrella just in case, as the weather forecast is usually a bit unreliable and you can expect a wee bit of rain almost every day!
And transparent umbrellas are the best. They look best in photos and won’t entirely cover your cute faces!
What if we want to have our pre-wedding photography session outside Edinburgh?
Then get in the car and let’s go! There are so many incredible placed to explore in Scotland. And it’s an amazing idea to have your engagement session done somewhere far away from the city.
We are spoilt for choice. Engagement photoshoot in the Scottish highlands? Or maybe a photoshoot in Isle of Skye? Having your photographs taken on the gorgeous cliffs of Saint Abbs? What about some engagement photos near the picturesque Loch Lomond? Or beautiful area of Cairngorms National Park? Pre-wedding photos by one of the magical Scottish lochs in the north?
And if you don’t want to leave Edinburgh for the whole day, there are so many pretty places nearby! One of my absolute favourite is Seacliff Beach in North Berwick. It’s my favourite beach in the area.
As you can see, we have so many choices.
Please get in touch if you need some advice with choosing the best location for our photography adventure!
Any other engagement session tips for photos in Scotland?
Best engagement session locations in Edinburgh
- Holyrood Park and Arthur’s Seat
- Stockbridge
- Edinburgh Old Town: Victoria Street, the Vennel, Royal Mile
- Princes Street Gardens
- Royal Botanic Gardens (glasshouses admission fees apply)
- New Town
- Calton Hill
- Dean Village
- Edinburgh Castle (admission fees apply) unfortunately quite crowded in every season of the year. Whereas there are no photography restrictions on short engagement photoshoots, please note that the wedding photography and weddings are not permitted from June to September. If you’d like to know more about weddings in Edinburgh Castle visit Edinburgh Castle website for more info.
- The Meadows
- Pentland Hills
- Edinburgh Zoo (admission fees apply)
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Let’s schedule your engagement photoshoot in Edinburgh (or anywhere else in Scotland) and create some beautiful memories together!