Pre-wedding and couples photography
A relaxed outdoor session, just the two of you, at a place that means something to you. For couples getting married it is the natural companion to the wedding day. For everyone else it is simply a lovely way to have real photographs of you together.
A pre-wedding session, and why it helps
A pre-wedding session gives you an hour or two with your photographer well before the wedding, so that by the time the day arrives you already know how we work and we already know how you two are together. That familiarity shows in your wedding photographs.
Most people feel a little awkward in front of a camera the first time, which is completely normal and usually passes within ten minutes. Doing that once, without the pressure of the wedding day around you, means you arrive at the wedding relaxed rather than self-conscious. The images are also lovely for save-the-dates and invitations, or simply to have.
We are Gopi and Pravalika, a Dublin-based husband-and-wife team. If you are planning a wedding with us, see our wedding photography page for how the full day works.
An unhurried hour or two, at Howth, the Phoenix Park, the coast, or anywhere that matters to you both.
Getting the most from it
A little planning makes a big difference. Here is what we usually talk through with couples beforehand.
Choosing a location
Pick somewhere that suits the feel you want, or somewhere with meaning for you both. We are happy to suggest Dublin locations, and if it is a place we have not photographed before we will look at it in advance.
Outfits
Whatever suits you. Traditional or Indian outfits photograph beautifully outdoors, and so do simple, well-fitting Western or casual clothes. Many couples bring a second outfit for a change of look partway through.
Timing and light
The hour before sunset gives the softest, warmest light. In summer that is late evening, in autumn late afternoon. We plan the start time around it when we book.
Weather in Ireland
Irish weather changes quickly, so we keep a flexible eye on the forecast and have a backup plan. A bright, cloudy sky is often ideal for portraits, and we can move the date if conditions are genuinely against us.
Hair, make-up and footwear
If you are having hair or make-up done, allow time before we start. Bring comfortable footwear for walking between spots, and anything more formal for the photographs themselves.
Props, only if they mean something
You do not need props. If there is something meaningful to you both, bring it, but the session works best when it is simply about the two of you.
What to expect
- Duration1 to 2 hours depending on package
- Images20 to 50 hand-edited images depending on package
- LocationsDublin parks, coastline, city centre, or somewhere meaningful to you
- DeliveryPrivate online gallery within 7 to 10 business days
- Gallery access30 days, extended access available
- FilesHigh-resolution, print-ready downloads
- PriceFrom €200
Dublin locations we like
We will suggest locations based on the look you are after, or you can choose somewhere that matters to you both. We cover Dublin and travel across Kildare, Meath, Wicklow and beyond.
Couples sessions, wedding or not
You do not need a wedding on the way to book a session. Couples come to us to mark an anniversary, to celebrate moving in together, or simply because they would like real photographs of the two of them rather than another phone snap.
The approach is the same either way: relaxed, unhurried, and focused on how you actually are together rather than stiff poses. If it is an anniversary or a milestone, tell us and we will build the session around it.
Couples & pre-wedding packages
Travel within Dublin is included. Kildare, Meath and Wicklow carry a small travel fee, and other counties a little more, all quoted before you book.
A focused one-hour session at one outdoor Dublin location, relaxed and unhurried.
- 1 hour session
- One outdoor location (Dublin)
- Maximum 20 hand-edited images
- Online gallery
- Delivered within 7 to 10 business days
A 1.5-hour session across one or two outdoor locations, with more time to explore different backdrops.
- 1.5 hours session
- One or two outdoor locations
- Maximum 30 hand-edited images
- Online gallery
- Delivered within 7 to 10 business days
A two-hour session with more images and a short highlight reel of the session.
- 2 hours session
- Up to 40 edited images
- Highlight reel included
- Online gallery
- Delivered within 7 to 10 business days
Our most complete couples package: a two-hour session with a highlight reel and a framed print.
- 2 hours session
- Up to 50 edited images
- Highlight reel included
- One complimentary A4 framed photograph
- Online gallery
- Delivered within 7 to 10 business days
Every delivered photograph is individually hand-edited. Additional edited images can be purchased after delivery.
A dedicated pre-wedding shoot
For couples getting married with us, we offer a more involved pre-wedding shoot: multiple locations, a longer session, and drone footage where it is permitted and practical. Start a pre-wedding enquiry and we will tailor it around your wedding.
Pre-wedding & couples FAQs
Not at all, it is the most common thing couples tell us. We give gentle prompts rather than stiff poses, things like walking together or sharing something that made you laugh. The self-consciousness usually settles within about ten minutes, and the photographs from then on are almost always the best.
The hour before sunset gives the softest and most flattering light. In summer that means late evening, and in autumn late afternoon. We will agree a start time with you when you book so we make the most of it.
Wear what feels like you. Traditional and Indian outfits look wonderful outdoors, and so do simple, well-fitting Western or casual clothes. Many couples bring a second outfit for a change of look. Avoid anything you will fidget with, and bring comfortable footwear for moving between spots.
Irish weather is unpredictable, so we keep an eye on the forecast and have a plan. Light cloud is often perfect for portraits. If the weather is genuinely against us we will rearrange to another day rather than push through poor conditions.
Yes. Meeting before the wedding means you are comfortable with us on the day and we already understand how you are together. It is one of the simplest ways to feel more at ease during your wedding portraits. See our wedding photography page for how the full day works.
Absolutely. Somewhere meaningful to you both is always worth it. We also have plenty of Dublin locations to suggest, and if it is somewhere we have not worked before we will look at it in advance.
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Whether you are getting married, marking an anniversary, or simply want real photographs together, we would be glad to plan a session with you.