By the Boundless Outdoors team, with wedding photographer Laura Jenkinson. Last updated: October 2026
Most couples say the same thing when they book an engagement shoot: we’re awkward in front of the camera. If that sounds like you, the good news is that relaxed photos come from what you’re doing far more than from how you’re standing and a good photographer knows exactly how to get you there.
We asked Worcestershire wedding photographer Laura Jenkinson how she helps nervous couples relax, which prompts she uses instead of formal poses and what to wear on the day.
Quick answer: To relax at an engagement shoot, focus on each other rather than the camera, keep moving and chatting, and leave space for natural moments instead of copying a list of poses. Arrive with time to spare, wear something that feels like you, and book the hour before sunset for the softest light.
Meet Laura Jenkinson, Worcestershire wedding photographer
Laura Jenkinson is trusted by couples across Worcestershire and the Midlands as a professional wedding and engagement shoot photographer. Her approach is relaxed and unposed and she’s had plenty of practice putting camera-shy couples at ease.
Why have an engagement photoshoot if you hate being photographed?
Everyone always tells me how awkward they are in front of the camera. So, this type of session just helps you to feel comfortable in front of the camera. There’s never any pressure and it’s a great way to see how your photographer works. We can catch up too and talk about the plans you’ve made since booking in with me.
It’s a chance for us to really get to know each other before your wedding day. Photographers spend so much time with their couples on the day, so building up this trust is important. I also find that it helps couples see me less as the photographer and more like a friend with a camera. Being comfortable with me is so important.
Does an engagement photoshoot make the wedding day photos easier?
A pre-wedding photoshoot can really help the couple’s portraits feel easier and sometimes, even quicker on the day, because we’ve already worked out what feels natural for the couple. If there are certain poses that they want to avoid, they can tell me then. For me too, I can see how they are in front of the camera and give them little tips.
What can you do with your engagement photos?
Mostly, an engagement shoot is a really nice way to get some lovely images before the big day. Some couples use their engagement sessions as ‘Save the date’ cards, or I’ve seen some of the photos displayed at the wedding itself, which is always lovely to see.
What should you do if you hate having your photo taken?
Honestly, almost every couple tells me this, so you’re in very good company. Nobody expects you to look like a model and my job is to make sure you don’t have to think about the camera at all. The first ten minutes always feel a bit strange and then you start chatting, walking, and laughing, and you forget I’m there. That’s when the best photos happen. If you can be yourselves for an hour, I’ll take care of the rest.
What are the best engagement shoot prompts for natural photos?
I’d much rather give you something to do than tell you how to stand. A few of my favourites are:
- Walk towards me holding hands and just look at each other. The giggles usually happen naturally.
- The drunk walk: lightly bump hips, pull apart, and keep going.
- Stand forehead to forehead and sway slowly, as if you’re dancing in the kitchen.
- One of you leads the other along a path, then looks back.
- Sit down with a blanket and just snuggle each other in.
When I have a nervous groom, I tell him to whisper what he had for breakfast in his bride’s ear, in his sexiest voice. That usually gets some giggles. Movement and conversation always look more natural than standing still and if you bring the dog, they usually steal the show.
What should you wear for an engagement shoot?
Wear something you feel like yourselves in and shoes you can actually walk in, with a smarter pair in the bag if you like. If big, bold colours and patterns are your thing, wear them: these are photos of the two of you and they should look like you. A good trick is for one of you to wear the statement piece and the other to pick out a colour from it, so the pattern shines rather than competing. If your style is quieter, aim to complement each other rather than match, with two or three colours that sit well together. The only things I’d steer away from are very fine stripes and tiny checks, as they can shimmer oddly on camera, that and big logos, which tend to grab attention. In autumn and winter, a good coat, a scarf, or a chunky jumper looks lovely and keeps you warm. One outfit change is plenty.
What should you do in the hour before an engagement shoot?
Give yourselves plenty of time so you’re not rushing to find parking. Eat something, check the weather and bring an extra layer. It isn’t the day to try a brand-new hairstyle or make-up look, so stick with what you know you love. On the way there, put your phones away and chat about something fun. Arriving relaxed makes a bigger difference than any outfit.
What’s the most common engagement shoot mistake and how do you fix it?
Holding tension without realising it. Shoulders creep up, hands clench and smiles get stuck. The fix is simple: take a breath out, drop your shoulders and look at each other instead of me. The other one is arriving with a long list of poses from Pinterest. A couple of ideas you love is great, but leave space for the moments that just happen, because those are usually the favourites.
What’s the best time of day and year for an engagement shoot?
The hour before sunset is hard to beat, because the light is soft, warm and flattering. A cloudy day is lovely too, as it gives you even light with no squinting. Every season has something to offer: bluebells in spring, long golden evenings in summer and rich colour in autumn. Winter brings low, pretty light, but the days are short, so plan an earlier start. If you’re heading somewhere popular, a weekday means more space and fewer people in the background.
Where to have your engagement shoot
If you’re still deciding where to go, we’ve rounded up ten engagement shoot locations in Worcestershire and the Midlands, including Laura’s two favourite local spots.
Couples can also book an engagement shoot at either of the Boundless Outdoors woodland wedding venues: Bell Heath, near Belbroughton, with ancient woodland and open fields, or The Canopy at our Malvern centre, with its treetop balcony at the end of the Malvern Hills. It’s a relaxed way to get your photos and see a potential wedding venue properly at the same time.
Planning a woodland wedding?
Boundless Outdoors offers exclusive weekend wedding hire at two woodland centres in Worcestershire. Hire runs from Friday afternoon and includes on-site accommodation for your guests and plus space for dancing and feasting, best of all there is no corkage charge. Neither centre holds a wedding or alcohol licence, so couples apply for their own Temporary Event Notice (TEN), a short-term permission from your local council that covers drinks and music on the day.
To book an engagement shoot or arrange a visit, get in touch with the Boundless team on 01684 574546 or at enquiries@boundlessoutdoors.co.uk.
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