Truly, Madly, Deeply, an engagement in the Lake District you’ll never forget

I had the honour of capturing this beautiful couple among the dales and lakes of the Lake District, and I can honestly say it’s one of the most rewarding places I’ve ever photographed.

Amanda and Elijah wanted a bright, luminous aesthetic with plenty of golden-hour bliss. Getting that in the Lake District is a little meteorological feat in itself, but with some flexibility, we found a weekend that delivered beautifully.

So don’t let the weather put you off. The textures, brisk winds and bursts of light filtering through the clouds can create some truly majestic imagery — especially when you’re standing on top of a mountain.

How to Plan a Mountain Engagement or Pre-Wedding Photoshoot in the Lake District?

First, think about how you’ll get around. A car is the best option if you want to reach more remote locations, but be wary — the roads can be very steep and narrow, so some experience with country driving is essential. A small car is definitely your friend here.

These images were taken in Little Langdale, which is also accessible by bus or taxi from Ambleside. The town has plenty of amenities, with good connections to Windermere and Grasmere, where you’ll find a wide choice of accommodation and restaurants.

For this shoot, I was happy to meet the couple nearby and drive us all to the location, which saved us the hassle of finding parking — something that can be limited around some of the valley’s most beautiful spots.

This is the main road to get to the valley, believe it or not.

The second important element — time of day.

I’ve photographed here a few times during different summer months, and golden hour isn’t always when you might expect. The valley is surrounded by high mountains on either side, so the sun disappears much earlier than the official sunset time, leaving you with far less light to work with.

I always try to scout a location the day before, around the estimated time of the shoot. In this case, we moved the shoot 1.5 hours earlier than planned — and it paid off. We timed it perfectly for some of the most incredible golden rays I’ve ever seen.

How Difficult Is Hiking in the Lake District for the Perfect Engagement Shoot?

Not difficult! I was working with two avid hikers who love being outdoors and don’t shy away from a physical adventure, but you certainly don’t need to be a pro to reach beautiful locations like these.

For this particular shoot, we drove most of the ascent, and from there the terrain was relatively flat. We visited a couple of small summits too, but each took around 10 minutes to climb.

You should be prepared for some boggy ground, though. The forest where we shot wasn’t a straightforward path either — but that’s part of the fun. With the right footwear and a willingness to get a little muddy, you’ll have a brilliant time exploring and frolicking in the arms of Mother Nature

For the perfect spot, a little navigating through long grass is required.

Whether you’re planning an adventure in the Lakes, Scotland or somewhere far beyond, I’d be honoured to come along and capture you in love, and the adventure you choose to share together