Nottinghamshire pre-wedding shoot - Claire and Alex

Having a pre-wedding shoot is always a great way to settle any nerves you may have about having your photo taken on your wedding day. Even better if you can bring along your pet pooch and your cute little girl along for some family photos too. However, I think Baxter and Arielle were just there to provide a cute distraction from all the attention being on Claire and Alex.

It doesn't bother me though. I love it when couples want their kids or pets to join them on their pre-wedding/engagement shoot. Plus... don't they make the most attractive family? And yes, I am including Baxter in that! 

I've known these guys since my days working on a photography magazine, and really can't wait to photograph them getting married at their stunning wedding venue near Rutland Water in the summer.

A spring sunrise pre-wedding shoot in Dorset - Ali and Lucy

Last Thursday I headed off from Nottinghamshire on a 460 mile round-trip to Dorset. I left home at 10pm, arrived at 4am, had a couple of hours sleep in the car whilst parked up in a spooky, and very dark village lane, and set my alarm for 5.45am. Oh the glamour of being a wedding photographer!

The mileage and the lack of sleep was totally worth it though as my pre-wedding shoot with the super-lovely Lucy and Ali was awesome. We were blessed with a stunning sunrise, and some fantastic weather. 

Lucy and Ali, thanks for meeting up with me at stupid o'clock for your shoot. We definitely made the most of the beautiful light that morning, and I can't wait until I snap your wedding day at Swallows Nest Barn later this summer.

Special thanks to Nikon and Amateur Photographer Magazine. I'm currently doing a field test/review of the new Nikon D5 camera for the mag, and the majority of the images below were shot on this amazing DSLR.