Diana & James' pre-wedding shoot at Wells-next-the-Sea on the Norfolk coast, from golden evening light in the dunes to an unexpectedly competitive race to the beach.

Couple holding hands walking through tall green grass field toward forest trees at golden hour sunset.
Couple sharing a romantic moment at golden hour in a field, woman smiling joyfully.
Couple holding hands walking through golden field at sunset, smiling at each other in warm backlit light.
Silhouette of a couple standing in a field of tall grass during a vibrant golden sunset.
Couple running hand-in-hand through sandy dunes at golden sunset, surrounded by tall grass on a scenic beach.
A joyful couple embracing and laughing together in a golden field during a beautiful sunset.
Smiling couple posing closely together outdoors at dusk, man wearing plaid shirt and glasses.
Couple holding hands walking through sandy beach dunes with tall grass under a cloudy sunset sky.

A Pre-Wedding Shoot at Wells-next-the-Sea


Diana and James met while studying at Cambridge University, so naturally we decided the best place for their pre-wedding shoot was about 60 miles away on the Norfolk coast.


We headed to Wells-next-the-Sea on a warm summer evening, with ridiculous light, almost empty dunes and absolutely no intention of turning it into a serious photoshoot. Wells is a brilliant location for this kind of shoot because you get loads of variety without actually having to go very far.


We started around the grassy paths behind the dunes before gradually making our way towards the beach. Within a relatively short walk you've got long grass, woodland, sand dunes and the enormous open beach beyond them - all of which looks completely different as the evening light changes.


More importantly, there's plenty of space.


We can walk, chat and gradually introduce the camera rather than starting with the slightly horrifying instruction to stand somewhere and look romantic.

Black and white photo of a happy couple holding hands while walking through a sunlit grassy field at sunset.
Couple holding hands walking through a sunlit meadow with tall grass and lush green trees in the background.
Couple walking hand in hand through a sunlit meadow with tall grass and trees in the background.
A couple embraces and smiles at each other outdoors at golden hour near a tree.
Couple walking on a sunlit dirt path surrounded by golden trees and shrubs during sunset.
Couple embracing and smiling at sunset in a grassy field, golden backlight glowing between them.
Couple laughing and running together through sandy dunes at sunset.
Couple running hand-in-hand through sandy dunes at golden sunset, surrounded by tall grass on a scenic beach.
Happy couple running and laughing together on sandy dunes at golden hour sunset.
Couple sitting and laughing together in tall grass field during a beautiful sunset.
Smiling couple running along sandy beach dunes at golden sunset.
Couple standing on sandy dunes covered in tall beach grass under a cloudy evening sky.

Things Got Slightly Competitive


At some point, walking through the dunes turned into a race to the top.


I can't remember who suggested it, but Diana and James are both sufficiently competitive that neither was going to politely decline.


This is also exactly why I don't want pre-wedding shoots to revolve around posing. Give people something to do, let them forget about the camera for a minute and considerably more interesting photographs tend to happen.


I'm not entirely sure who won.


I'm fairly certain they'll both claim it was them.

Couple laughing and running through sandy beach dunes at golden sunset, tall grass swaying around them.

Why Have a Pre-Wedding Shoot?


Mostly because almost everyone tells me they're terrible in front of a camera.


A pre-wedding shoot gives us a couple of hours to get that awkward first five minutes out of the way before your actual wedding. You'll see how I work, I'll learn what makes you comfortable and by the time I turn up on the wedding morning, I'm no longer a complete stranger carrying several cameras.


Diana and James had their wedding coming up at Westminster College in Cambridge, so this was essentially the practice round.


Although nobody warned them the practice round would involve competitive dune racing.

Couple sitting together in grassy dunes at sunset, sharing a romantic moment outdoors.
Couple holding hands at golden hour sunset in grassy dunes, romantic outdoor portrait photography.

Fancy a Pre-Wedding Shoot?


Pick somewhere you actually like, bring the dog if you've got one and don't worry about knowing what to do in front of the camera.


Wells-next-the-Sea, Burghley Estate or somewhere considerably more ridiculous - I'm game.

More about pre-wedding shoots