Luxury East Asian Engagement Shoot in Canterbury
May 8, 2025
This Cambridge couple shoot with a wonderful East Asian couple was a perfect example of that. The day was steeped in quiet beauty and genuine emotion. Amidst a busy city centre, the laid-back rhythm just reminded me so much of Canterbury I knew I wanted to write this blog as if it were a Luxury East Asian Engagement Shoot in Canterbury (having just moved from Cambridge to Ramsgate, Canterbury is a much closer choice for couples searching for an engagement photographer).
When I photograph an engagement shoot, I’m always paying attention to the little details, the glances, the location, and the way the couple shows love to each other. But I also do my homework by finding out about the story of the couple beforehand and what means a lot to them. Genuinely, I had to remind myself we weren’t in Kent. The winding river, the easygoing bustle of city life, the warm light bouncing off golden stone… Cambridge and Canterbury could be cousins.
That’s why this blog isn’t just for couples thinking of an engagement shoot in Cambridge. It’s very much written for those of you based in or near Canterbury or for those simply looking for a luxury, natural-feeling, editorial-style couple shoot in the South East of England.
Whether you’re planning a pre-wedding shoot or a relaxed engagement session, I hope this post gives you a real sense of how I work, what a session with me feels like, and why a city like Canterbury (or Cambridge) is the perfect place for photos that are as meaningful as they are beautiful.
Why Cambridge Feels Like Canterbury for an Editorial Engagement Shoot
We began the shoot down by Scudamores, where the punts were gently drifting past and people were perched at the water’s edge with glasses in hand. There’s something undeniably serene about it – the kind of setting that feels like it’s already a film still before you even lift the camera. Nothing like the last time I went on a punt (more about that later!). If you’ve ever spent an afternoon in Canterbury along the River Stour, you’ll know exactly what I mean. Both cities have that timeless charm that feels tailor-made for authentic, observational photography.
From a photographer’s perspective, both places offer the kind of variety and depth that allow an editorial approach to really shine. You’ve got the location with stone, water, trees, soft architecture. You’ve got movement — people walking, cyclists passing, the flow of the river. And you’ve got light. Even on an overcast day!
For this couple who were both based in Singapore but with past connections to the University in Cambridge this shoot felt like the perfect escape from the pace of the city. They wanted something that captured their relationship as it truly is: connected, relaxed, quietly joyful. And this location, so similar to Canterbury in feel and layout, gave us all the ingredients for a shoot that felt grounded and genuine, but still visually rich.
This is why I often recommend this city for couples in Kent wanting a luxury, natural-feeling shoot with an editorial edge. It’s easy to get to, beautiful at every turn, and offers just as much as Cambridge in terms of variety, charm and atmosphere especially with fewer tourists midweek!
The Beauty of a Couple Shoot Before the Wedding
A lot of couples ask whether they “need” an engagement shoot and my answer is usually the same: not really. But will it make your wedding photography experience richer? In my experience, yes. And will it give you a gallery of meaningful, timeless images that capture your relationship as it is right now outside the frame of the wedding? A hundred percent.
When I think of how much has happened with me and my wife in the 7 years we have been married it blows my mind. I’ve put on 10kg (hopefully of mostly muscle…) and Beth has mothered two children – aside from physical changes, we’ve come a long way, and to have photographs that record that is so precious.
For this couple, it was the first time they’d been professionally photographed together. That can be a bit nerve-wracking at first, but we took it slowly. No stiff posing, no awkward instructions, just a walk, a chat, a punt, and some shared moments. My role is less about direction and more about releasing people to be themselves. I guide if needed but I never force couples into model poses. I want the images to reflect you, not a version of you doing “photo shoot stuff.”
The beauty of a pre-wedding shoot is that it acts like a pressure-free rehearsal for the wedding day. You get used to being in front of the lens. You learn how I work, and I learn how you connect. It builds trust, comfort and creativity and all of that pours directly into your wedding gallery. The buzz you feel when you get your images and know “yep, we picked the right photographer” is encouraging for us all.
Plus, you get a to enjoy the set of images before you are even married. Just you two, in a quiet moment in a beautiful place. In that sense, engagement shoots are a bit like keepsakes like a handwritten letter you tuck away and find years later, still full of memories.
Yes, We Went Punting – And No, I Didn’t Fall In (This Time)
I need to be honest here: punting is not my strong suit. Surfing, yes. But this is very different. I tried once before, not on a shoot, thankfully and managed to tumble straight off the boat and into the river as we passed another punt whilst trying to go under a bridge. My 2 year old thought I died! Graceful, I know. So now I leave the punting to the professionals or the confident amateurs. On this particular shoot, we didn’t hire a punter and the Sharon got to sit back and sometime steer with an oar, enjoying the ride!
Other than this clever confident couple, that’s something I always suggest for couples considering a punt-based shoot: don’t try to juggle it all yourselves. If you want the images to feel more relaxed, intimate and romantic, and a bit less sweaty, then having someone else guide the boat makes all the difference. It also means I can focus on the composition, movement, light and story without anyone falling in the water!
On the boat as we paused at an opening, the couple curled up next to each other, being their goofy selves now completely relaxed with me. I captured some quiet moments and these are the kind of images that never go out of style.
Outfit Changes, Colour Palettes and Getting Creative with Style
After the punt, we stopped at a local pub for a chance to dry off a bit, take a breather and change outfits. Outfit changes are hugely underrated when it comes to couple shoots. Even a simple change say from a smart-casual look to something more flowy or dressed up can bring an entirely different tone and dynamic to the shoot.
For this couple, their first look was coordinated and softly romantic: luxury fashion but casual. After the pub stop, they changed into slightly more refined, structured outfits, still chill, but giving a sharper, more editorial contrast to the earlier scenes.
When planning a couple shoot, I always encourage couples to think about how they want their gallery to feel overall. Are we going relaxed and cosy? Urban and crisp? Romantic and classic? Then, I suggest coordinating clothing around complementary tones and textures. Neutrals always work well. Earthy tones photograph beautifully. Soft fabrics add movement and lightness. The goal is cohesion without looking forced and I’m always happy to offer guidance in the run-up to a shoot having had a hand in fashion photography.
Outfit changes also give you more mileage from the session. You essentially get multiple mini-shoots in one. And when we’re shooting in a place like we did for this shoot, where the settings vary so much, it lets us tailor the mood of the photos to each new location.
Wandering Through the Streets: Light, Texture and Real Emotion
There’s something natural about walking through a city or beach in Thanet with someone you love. For this shoot, we headed back into the heart of the city and wandered. No plan, no fixed route, just seeing where the light was good and where we felt drawn. It’s in these in-between moments like waiting for someone to cross the road, ducking into an alleyway, pausing in the sunlight where the real, unscripted moments happen.
We passed students on bikes, people reading on benches, other couples arm-in-arm and it all added to the atmosphere. It was a late afternoon, and the light was getting better and better (the sun was getting lower in the sky).
These are the moments I live for. Moments where photography stops being about “how do I look” and becomes about “look how we felt”. And it’s why I love documentary photography not in the journalistic sense, but in the human sense. My job is to document something true, not to manufacture something glossy and empty.
This part of the shoot could have easily been in Kent. The cobbled streets, the layers of history, the romantic quiet corners. For couples in this county, I’d suggest exploring both the city centre and quieter spots just outside we can always build a route that matches your energy and preferences.
Golden Hour at the Orchard (Or Try Dane John in Canterbury)
We ended the day just outside the city centre at a field near the Orchard Tea Gardens. The sun had got to golden hour which gave us that warm, dusty gold you only get in the last minutes of daylight. They danced around, they lay in the grass and showed affection to each other. I stayed back and let the scene unfold, gently shifting position as the light moved and softened. I don’t recommend snogging each other’s faces off but showing love looks great on camera.
If you’re based in the same county as me, I’d wholeheartedly recommend Dane John Gardens or even Ellington Park for a similar vibe. They both offer beautiful sunset backdrops, with that same calm, semi-wild charm that allows couples to just be. You want a place where you can breathe, move and connect without feeling on display.
Golden hour is also when I might switch over to film, just for a few frames. The tones, the grain, the imperfection it’s everything I love about analogue. It brings something timeless to a gallery, especially in these slower, dreamier moments.
My Approach: Natural, Guided and Artistic
When people describe my work as “luxury,” I know they’re not talking about it being flashy or staged. They’re talking about the experience: the intention, the care and the thought that goes into every frame. My style is grounded in a blend of documentary observation and editorial precision. I want your gallery to feel like you, but also to feel timeless and artful.
I don’t rely on gimmicks, tricks or awkward posing. Instead, I focus on how you connect, what makes your story yours, and how we can express that in a calm, natural way. You won’t look at my portfolio and think that every couple looks like the same colour. See, I’m influenced by other artists but mostly by the couples I work with and I think that balance is what gives my work depth.
Why I Sometimes Shoot Film (And Why You Might Love It Too)
Film photography isn’t for every shoot and that’s okay. But when the moment calls for it, I’ll often shoot a roll or two on 35mm. There’s something about film that slows you down. It demands patience and invites imperfection. You can’t just snap away at the speed of digital. And the results are always worth it.
If you’re curious about incorporating film into your engagement shoot, let’s chat. It’s not about replacing digital, but enhancing it. Adding that final touch of nostalgia and permanence.
Thinking of Booking a Luxury Engagement Shoot in Canterbury?
This session was beautiful in its own right but more than anything, it proved to me again how much potential my home city has for luxury, editorial, documentary-style couple shoots. It’s a city with heart and history, calm and character. Just like Cambridgeshire, it gives you everything you need to create images that are effortless and deeply meaningful.
If you’re thinking about an engagement shoot or want something simple, beautiful, and true to your story I’d love to hear from you. I bring over a decade of experience, an eye for detail, and a relaxed, professional energy to every shoot. You don’t need to know what to do in front of the camera. That’s my job. Your only job is to show up, show some love, and enjoy.
