Kera & Rob’s Sunrise Engagement Session at Swinley Forest

In February, before most people had even considered getting out of bed, I met Kera and Rob at Swinley Forest in Bracknell for their sunrise engagement session. It was absolutely freezing. The kind of cold that bites at your fingers within minutes. But it was also one of those crisp, golden mornings where the light makes everything worth it.

They’re getting married this October (with a ceilidh – which I am very excited about), and they booked an engagement session to get a real feel for how their wedding photography would look and feel on the day. Not just the finished images, but the experience of being photographed.

And of course... that’s the part that matters most.

Why We Chose Swinley Forest

Swinley sits almost halfway between Kera and Rob in Reading and me in Fleet, so it made sense practically. But also made sense for the couple as they're outdoorsy people who got engaged over a picnic and have a dog. They're also early risers so being up for the sunrise didn't seem too out of the ordinary for them.

The weekend before their session, I did a full location scout. I found three spots, all within a short walking distance of each other, that would give us:

• Soft woodland light

• Open space for movement

• A pocket of golden sunrise glow

  
  

That prep means on the day, we’re not wandering aimlessly. We’re moving with purpose, relaxed, knowing exactly where we’re heading.

Also it's nice to mention that this session was on valentines day so was also a really nice way to spend a romantic morning together!

How an Engagement Session Actually Works

Most couples arrive slightly nervous. That’s completely normal. Being photographed isn’t something most people do regularly.

So we start simple.

1. The Walking Prompt

We walk. That’s it .

I get them to walk backwards and forwards once or twice. It takes one to two minutes. It loosens shoulders. It gets rid of the “what do I do with my hands?” feeling. It gives us time to chat naturally while I’m shooting. My process is all about true connection rather than 'look at the camera and smile' so I'll always get you to walk in a way that feels natural- if you're people who normally hold each other close when you walk then do that or hold hands or not at all.

Those first few minutes are more about just shaking off the idea that someone is pointing a camera at you and asking you to simply connect with each other.

2. The “Drunk Walk” (Hip Bumps)

Then I introduce what I call the drunk walk. They walk together and gently bump hips.

This is the prompt that tells me everything.

If the bumps are soft and tentative, I know we’re leaning into romantic, intimate direction. Gentle swaying. Foreheads together. Whispering little comments to each other. Writing words on each other’s cheeks. Talking about when they first met or what they thought meeting each other’s parents.

If they go full chaos mode and start slamming into each other laughing? That’s my cue for piggybacks, running games, lifts, playful races.

The point isn’t the prompt itself. The point is discovering who they are together.

And then building from there.

If a couple doesn’t feel steady on their feet or doesn’t love that kind of movement, we adapt. Standing prompts. Close connection. Subtle movement. There’s always an option that works.

Sunrise, Golden Light & A Very Good Dog

Despite the February chill, we chose a morning with sun. That early golden light filtering through the trees gave us warmth in the images, even if we couldn’t feel it in our fingers.

Their session lasted around 30–45 minutes and they received roughly 60 images, a full story of their morning together.

There’s something about including your dog in an engagement session that just makes everything more you. We captured some beautifully relaxed portraits of the three of them together, and one particularly cute moment that I already know will be a firm favourite in years to come.

Why Engagement Sessions Matter

This wasn’t just about getting pretty woodland photos though (even though we did!)

It was about confidence building, getting to know one another and having a bit of fun in the process.

By the end of the session, Kera and Rob knew exactly how I work. They knew they didn’t have to perform. They knew the prompts would guide them naturally and importantly they knew they could trust me to capture who they are and not a cookie cutter version of the last couple.

And that trust is everything on a wedding day and helps us to streamline photos so you can spend less time taking photos and more time actually living in your wedding day.

They loved their images so much that they went on to book me for their October wedding and I cannot wait to see them again, this time surrounded by family, friends, and a ceilidh dance floor that I suspect will be lively.

If you’re considering an engagement session, especially before your wedding, this is why I recommend it. It’s not about stiff posing. It’s about understanding how you move together, how you laugh together, and how that translates into photographs that actually feel like you.

Fancy doing all this with your partner? More couples sessions and info can be found here, I can't wait to hear from you!