Get engaged

Murray McMillan explains why engagement photoshoots can give you a great experience

Iam a wedding photographer from Gourock on the west coast of Scotland. I’ve been taking photographs since I was a kid, when my dad would give me his camera to take family photos at home and on holiday. I guess something stuck with me, as I’ve been doing it ever since! I love it to the point that it probably drives my family nuts. I have a camera with me absolutely everywhere I go!

For the last few years, it’s become far more than just a hobby. I started at first through music photography at local gigs, then bigger events and finally found my true calling by shooting weddings across these genres. I’ve realised that I absolutely love photographing people, especially weddings, which I find a total blast… meeting new people, seeing new places – especially after the last couple of years! I always include ‘engagement’ – or as they are sometimes known, ‘pre-wedding shoots’ – in my package. They are a great way to get to know couples and remove any nerves, allowing them to relax on their wedding day.

1 Get to know the couple

I usually meet couples for a coffee or occasionally something stronger, have a chat through their wedding and how they met, and how the proposal happened. They will open up about this so by the time we go for photos, they’ve forgotten any nerves. I always try to become a friend with a camera, which I find works really well from this initial shoot, right through to the actual wedding.

2 Choose a location

Living in Scotland, I am lucky to have lots of great locations for my shoots. I will always ask the couples if they’d like to choose a particular location that may be special to them, or I have a few trusty locations to suggest. I have shot in all sorts of locations: beaches, bedrooms, busy cities… there’s always somewhere to go, and in all weathers – Scotland can have all four seasons in one hour!

3 Keep it simple

I own two Sony A7 IV cameras, with a 35mm F1.4 GM on one and an 85mm F1.8 on the other. This enables me to work quickly with my two favourite focal lengths, mixing up the style of photos throughout the shoot. The AF capabilities of the Sony bodies are incredible, which again helps me to focus on working with the couples and not having to worry about equipment.

4 Use go-to camera settings

I work quickly with couples, preferring to spend time having fun with them rather than changing gear and settings, so for the most part I will shoot in Aperture Priority, with the camera doing some of the work. I will set a maximum and minimum ISO, a minimum shutter speed and change my aperture on the lens. This works well for me, so I can just think about composition and interacting with the couples. At times I will shoot in full manual, but mostly I work this way.

5 Shoot in natural light

Again, eliminate the need to carry kit. Shoot in natural light, as that will be the case for the majority of wedding photography, too. Expose for the subject as I have done here with Claire and Michael, and don’t worry if the background is a little brighter.