Engagement shoot - Rachelle and Dan

Occasionally I do engagement shoots with couples so that we can both get a feel for how we relate with each other with a camera between us before the big day. It's a valuable tool as a photographer, because you can really begin to guage what relaxes the couple and what works best for them. The following was shot for http://www.elisegowphotography.com/

I shot Rachelle and Dan only days before their wedding. They have a "baby", their 4 year old black Labrador dog; Demi. They love their dog immensly and it was an obvious choice upon meeting her that she needed to be a part of their shoot. Demi was not able to be a part of their wedding, so she clearly had to be a part of their engagement session. She's a beautiful dog, clearly very loved, as are Rachelle and Dan with her... and obviously each other. After shooting the engagement session I knew they'd be beautiful to photograph and work with on their beautiful wedding day (which I will Blog soon).

Emma and Stephen 9th Jan 2010

Steve and Emma had their wedding day weather cut out for them, at around 35c it was a day where most people would've preferred to be lazing by a pool, not wearing suits and dresses... that said the late afternoon ceremony allowed for the temperature to cool off a little and make for a glorious afternoon in Maffra (near Sale in Victoria's central Gippsland). The locations of the area were simple, country and rustic and their reception venue, Duart Receptions, was an ideal venue for some much needed rehydration and the celebrations afterward, which also offered some gorgeous picture opportunities.

Congratulations Steve and Emma.