Every so often, a shoot comes along that feels like pure magic. Our recent collaboration with Coastal Bridal at the breath-taking Heligan Gardens in Mevagissey was one of those days.
Surrounded by the lush greenery, winding paths and the timeless charm of Heligan, we were fortunate enough to capture Coastal Bridal’s stunning collection of dresses in a setting that perfectly complemented their effortless beauty. The natural light filtering through the gardens, the textures of the historic walls, and the delicate details of the gowns created a dreamlike canvas to work with. This shoot wasn’t just about the photography, it was about storytelling. For me each frame brought together the romance of a Cornish garden escape with the elegance and movement of the dresses. The atmosphere was calm yet vibrant, giving us space to create imagery that felt as natural as it was refined.
I was especially delighted to see that, out of all the images I delivered in the final gallery, the ones chosen by Wed Magazine and Coastal Bridal included my personal favourite of the day: Jasmine framed beautifully in the doorway to the succulent greenhouse. For this shot, I had envisioned the sun highlighting the greenhouse’s distinctive criss-crossed windows, casting intricate patterns of light and shadow. To achieve this effect, my assistant positioned an off-camera flash outside the frame, firing through the glass to accentuate the sunlight. It was a carefully crafted moment that balanced technical precision with natural elegance and seeing it selected as a featured image made it all the more rewarding.
Another highlight for me was experimenting with my Helios 44-2, a vintage Soviet lens renowned for its character. Unlike many modern lenses that strive for perfect sharpness and neutrality, the Helios captures a distinctive warmth and softness that adds a timeless quality to the images. Using it in this setting brought an extra layer of mood and atmosphere that perfectly complemented the romance of Coastal Bridal’s gowns and the historic beauty of Heligan Gardens.
We were honoured that this collection of images went on to be featured in Wed Magazine, a publication that consistently highlights the very best of the South West’s bridal scene. It’s a wonderful recognition of the hard work, creativity and collaboration that went into bringing this vision to life.
A huge thank you goes to Coastal Bridal for trusting us to showcase their gowns and to Heligan Gardens for providing such an exquisite backdrop. Shoots like this are why I love what I do, capturing not only the beauty of a moment but the feeling that lingers long after.
While the final images are polished and editorial, it’s the behind-the-scenes moments that often tell the truest story of a shoot. Between takes, the team shared plenty of laughter and lighthearted energy, whether it was adjusting gowns in the breeze or testing lighting setups. These candid moments remind me how collaborative shoots like this really are, everyone bringing their creativity, humour and dedication to the day. It’s in these small in-between moments that the personality of the team shines through and they’re just as special to capture as the finished imagery.
A very special shoot indeed!
