Fun London Engagement Photoshoot | Aldgate to the Beautiful Ruins of St Dunstan-in-the-East

There are few things more fun for a wedding photographer than to have the opportunity to do a London engagement photoshoot.  There’s just so much variety at every twist and turn and I particular love the challenge of visiting areas that I don’t know particularly well as it’s both inspiring and challenging.

I have to say that this was a rather special engagement photoshoot for me for another reason.  I’ve known Paula all her life.  She is both talented and beautiful and I sometimes think that she is one of the reasons that I’m a professional wedding photographer today.  Many years ago she asked me if I would spend some time photographing her for her portfolio and I have no doubt that this experience gave me the confidence to take my portrait photography to another level.

After hearing so much about her fiancé it was with great excitement that we finally met Oliver and Paula on an overcast Sunday afternoon to hear more about their wedding plans over lunch.  As they live and work in the area they guided us through the London backstreets from Aldgate and on to the curiously named 16th century church of St Andrew Undershaft with the Gherkin lurking ominously behind it under a rather threatening sky.  From there we made our way through the beautiful Grade II listed Leadenhall Market and on towards the historic Royal Exchange.

But, it was our final destination that I was particularly looking forward to visiting – the semi-derelict St Dunstan-in-the-East, dating from around 1100 and now enjoyed as a tranquil garden setting amongst the hubbub of central London.  It was a gorgeous setting to end our London engagement photoshoot as the rain decided to make an entrance as we were finishing off.

One of the amazing things about London is the incredible wealth of history and stories in every direction of your journey. Indeed, most of the other folk we met on the streets that afternoon seemed to be on guided Jack the Ripper excursions!

The other thing I should mention is that Paula battled on heroically throughout and never stopped smiling despite suffering from a rather nasty ankle injury.  As you can see, Oliver happily obliged by giving Paula a piggyback to ease the pain resulting in one of my favourite shots from the afternoon.

I had such fun with Paula and Oliver on their London engagement photoshoot and I can’t wait to be their wedding photographer at the beautiful St Etheldreda Church and St Audries Park in a few months time!

You can check out the blogpost on Paula and Oliver’s stunning wedding at St Audries Park in Somerset.

I’d love to hear from you if you would like to have a few hours with me as your photographer for your London engagement photoshoot!