Highlights from Jakub & Katie's summer baby shower at their home in Gamlingay, Cambridgeshire, ahead of photographing their wedding later in the year.

A casual outdoor gathering with people standing in a backyard garden setting.
Someone wearing a cream cable knit polo shirt holding a drink at an outdoor event.
A group of friends enjoying an outdoor gathering with animated expressions and colorful summer attire.
Side profile view of someone relaxing in wicker patio furniture.
Black and white dog rests on gravel path while people stand with yellow balloon in backyard.
Hand holding vintage-style paper tag against blurred house background.
Hands holding a bottle of Zubrowka vodka and small snacks.
Expectant couple looking at baby-themed paper cutout decorations hanging on string at outdoor celebration.

When Plans Change for the Better


Jakub and Katie had originally booked a pre-wedding shoot ahead of me photographing their wedding later in the year.


Then they got some considerably bigger news.


With a baby on the way, we scrapped the original plan and I joined them at their home in Gamlingay instead, where friends and family had gathered for their baby shower. Not technically the engagement shoot we'd planned, but considerably more worth documenting.

An outdoor party scene with guests mingling on a gravel patio with bunting decorations.
Hands holding a delicate engagement ring with a floral dress in soft focus.
Someone holding a paper cutout in the shape of a t-shirt during a social event.
Two people engaged in conversation at an outdoor social gathering.
A youngster wearing clothes decorated with clothespins stands in a garden setting.
Person wearing knit beanie and tan striped shirt examines baseball bat in outdoor setting.
Two people holding up drinks in outdoor garden setting.
Close up of people examining something in outdoor summer setting.
Two people performing hand movements in front of wooden wall.
Family enjoying relaxed outdoor moments together on blanket.
Couple in casual attire examining baby-themed cutouts at outdoor garden party.
Candid family moment captured during outdoor gathering.

A Useful Wedding Rehearsal


There was another unexpected benefit to swapping the pre-wedding shoot for the baby shower: I got to meet a good chunk of the people I'd be photographing again at their wedding.


That's always useful. The more familiar everyone is with me before the wedding, the quicker people forget about the cameras and get on with whatever they were doing.


It also gave me a chance to scout Jakub and Katie's garden in Gamlingay, as we'd be returning here for part of their wedding celebrations later in the year.


So technically, this still counted as wedding preparation. Just with considerably more baby-themed bunting.

Friends posing together for group photo in backyard garden setting.
Group of friends gathered outdoors for celebration in summer garden setting.

Inevitably, the Dog Stole the Show


I'm contractually obliged to photograph any dog that appears in front of my camera.


I don't make the rules.

Black and white dog plays fetch with someone in a grassy backyard.
A playful black and white dog jumps for a toy in a backyard garden setting.
Black dog leaping high in the air to catch a ball in backyard with brick house in background.
A black and white dog leaps high in the air during a game of fetch in the backyard.
Energetic black dog leaping up during playful training session in backyard.
Black dog jumping high to catch object in backyard while playing with owner.

Planning Your Own Pre-Wedding Shoot?


It doesn't necessarily have to involve a beach, a country estate or standing in a field at sunset.


Sometimes plans change - and sometimes what's actually happening in your life is considerably more worth photographing.

MORE ABOUT ENGAGEMENT & PRE-WEDDING SHOOTS