Right, where to begin? There’s a lot I need to cram into this post, so apologies if I ramble. I will try to edit myself, for your sake! This is an unusual year for many reasons - so many of you are having to think about getting married on a totally different date to the one you’d been planning for months, if not years, and that absolutely sucks. You absolutely have all my sympathy. However, this means that my summer has gone from chocka-block to fairly quiet. I’m opening summer weekends up to preshoots, and I’m happy to travel around to locations that make you go WOAH.

It can be a bit flummoxing trying to find somewhere you love but not knowing exactly how this all works, so I’m going to walk you through it. I want to use this space to show you a few different locations around Derbyshire. I do go out scouting different places, and as a keen walker I take snaps on my phone of places that I know would provide plenty to do, as well as nice locations to spend a bit of time, so I’ll chat about them here. As well as locations, I'm going to chat about what actually happens on a preshoot, what to do if you feel very awkward in front of the camera, and what you should wear if you’re not sure.

Black Rocks, Wirksworth

Black Rocks is, well, lots of rocks. It looks kind of imposing and quite dramatic, but it’s an easy climb to the top of the rocks. From there, you can head into woodland, walk up further rocks and even spend some time with grazing cows on the common. There’s a small pine forest in part of the woodland, which I adore for the long straight lines (get it at the right time of the day when everything is golden for maximum happiness). If you want privacy then I recommend ascending higher.

Matlock Bath

Matlock Bath is Derbyshire’s answer to the seaside. The river Derwent runs right through it, with nice wide paths and a cliff face to one side. But when I say seaside, I really mean it. Grab an ice cream, a cone of chips or a beer and have a bit of fun in the sunshine! It’s a pretty little place, whether you stick to the shops or go down by the river. We could even go up in the cable cars on the Heights of Abraham!

Image from https://www.visitpeakdistrict.com

Mam Tor, Castleton

Castleton is a tiny village in the heart of the Peak District. A short walk from the village is Mam Tor, a good sized peak with a gorgeous broken road and loads of scope for dramatic, romantic photos.

I love walking and scrambling over rocks, and I am here for rugged, Bronte sisters vibes.

Ladybower Reservoir, hope Valley

Ladybower is a gorgeous large reservoir, complete with mountainy views to one side, a huge dam on the other and a great big plughole. Ladybower sits between some of the well known peak landmarks - it can be seen from Bamford Edge, and the lovely village of Edale is close by, as are the foothills of Kinder Scout and Win Hill. If you want an easy walk there’s a path that circles the large reservoir, or you could follow the natural waterfalls up Win Hill (this is steep, but fun).

Curbar Edge

A small car park up a steep hill in Calver, just above the village of Froggatt, opens out into gorgeous moorland. From up here you can see the Chatsworth fountain, you might be greeted by low flying RAF planes (warning: they’re seriously loud) and various wildlife. In July and Autumn it’s covered in purple heather, and it’s one of the best places I know to take in the sunset. I am DYING to do a preshoot up here, it’s just so gorgeous. There are rocks to climb on, with some jutting over the cliffs below.

Lumsdale Falls, Matlock

Lumsdale Valley is a bit of Derbyshire history. A series of small dams and small waterfalls flow through it, remnants of old mills that are being reclaimed by nature. This is a short walk that ends in a waterfall which leads on to a shallow stream (pictured) and on warm days you could definitely get in it. It’s romantic as hell, and one of my favourite local places. There’s a woodland to explore too, but I recommend going on weekday evenings. It’s not a big place, and locally regarded as a hidden gem that can get a bit busy at times. Timing is everything!

Padley Gorge

Padley Gorge should be renamed, to Padley Gorgeous! Another stream with a waterfall, and one that I’ve been in for a splash about with the kids on a hot summer day. Padley Gorge is opposite the Longshaw Estate (National Trust), near Grindleford. It’s rugged and beautiful but has an ice cream van permanently beside it (you can just about see it in this picture I took of my kids playing in the stream).

There’s a path that follows the stream, and a bridge too. There’s loads of scope here for fun, romantic shots.

I’ve talked about all these locations because I know them and love them. They’re all absolutely beautiful, and while I’ve not done preshoots in all of them, I know they’d work. Derbyshire is such an amazing place to work as a photographer, the options really are endless!

So while I’ve talked about the different places I like to shoot - what actually happens on a preshoot? And what if you find the whole concept of a preshoot quite nervewracking?

Don’t Overthink It

I tend to start all preshoot sessions with a walk and a chat. We’ll talk about your wedding, your plans, what you’re most excited about, and focus on that feeling. If you’re really nervous it’s totally ok! We’ll have fun walking, and hopefully you’ll find that I’m quite chilled out and happy to clamber about in the countryside. I do use a few fun prompts, and I only go in for romantic shots once I can sense that you’ve relaxed a bit. And if you want to sit down with a thermos of tea and a slice of cake, and have me shoot you from a distance until your nerves have gone, then I’m absolutely fine with that.

Wear Whatever You Want

Now, I don’t exactly endorse wearing your best dancing shoes for climbing up Mam Tor, but I am here for the photos if you want to put them on at some point and have a little dance. What I mean to say is, wear clothes you like, things that make you feel incredible, and be comfortable. I’m just as happy photographing folks in walking gear as I am with standing by for a quick outfit change. If “mountains but make it cute” is your vibe I’m here for that. Oh and wear sun cream.

Want to get a date in the diary?

July and August this year are pretty much empty of weddings for me now, so if you want to get your preshoot in the diary with me then let me know. I’ll be releasing some shoot days in some of these locations soon - keep an eye on my Instagram for more info - and of course, if you want to bagsy a date before I’ve done that then that’s totally cool with me. If you want a Derbyshire location that’s not been mentioned here just let me know and we’ll get it sorted!