Watergate Bay Engagement Photographer | Saskia & Alec


There’s something special about photographing couples in places that mean something to them, and Saskia and Alec’s engagement shoot at Watergate Bay was a perfect example of that. With their wedding coming up next year, they wanted to have some engagement photos taken before the big day. Rather than choosing somewhere completely new, we headed to Watergate Bay, a place that holds a lot of memories for Saskia, having visited the beach since she was a baby. It’s always lovely when a location has that extra personal connection, and with a beautiful stretch of Cornish coastline to work with, it was the perfect spot for a relaxed morning taking photos together.

Black and white photo of a romantic couple embracing at watergate bay, both wearing cozy knit sweaters.
Couple embracing and kissing at watergate bay with dramatic rocky cliffs and golden sunlight behind them.
Black and white photo of a couple holding hands and walking barefoot at watergate bay with dramatic rocky cliffs behind them.

"The photos have turned out beautifully, exactly what we were looking for."


We headed down to Watergate Bay early in the morning, waiting for the tide to go out far enough for us to get onto the beach and make the most of the space available. Luckily, we were treated to some lovely sunny weather, with very little wind. Anyone familiar with the Cornish coast will know that the weather can sometimes have other plans, so having such a calm, bright morning was a real bonus.

Once the tide had dropped enough, we made our way onto the sand and started exploring different spots along the beach. The morning light, open space and sound of the sea made for a brilliant setting, and it was great to have the freedom to move around and capture a variety of images.

Black and white curly-haired dog on leash sitting at watergate bay with couple standing behind near rocky cliffs.

Keeping Things Natural (And Avoiding the Sinking Sand!)


One of the things I always aim for during an engagement shoot is to keep things relaxed and natural. I want couples to enjoy the experience rather than feel as though they're standing in front of a camera having their photo taken all morning. There was just one small challenge at Watergate Bay: the sand! Every time we tried to take a more static photo, we seemed to sink a little further into it.

Trying to keep everyone still for too long wasn't really working, so we switched things up and embraced movement instead. We spent more time walking, moving around and interacting naturally, which worked perfectly for the kind of relaxed images I wanted to create. Sometimes, the little challenges during a shoot end up making the experience even more enjoyable, and this was definitely one of those occasions. Rather than worrying about getting everything perfectly still, we just went with it and made the most of the situation.


A happy couple in matching cream sweaters and jeans laughing together while standing in ocean waves at watergate bay.
Couple holding hands and walking through ocean waves at watergate bay, wearing cozy knit sweaters and jeans under a cloudy sky.

A Personal Location for Saskia and Alec


One of my favourite things about this shoot was knowing just how much Watergate Bay means to Saskia. Having visited since she was a baby, the beach is somewhere she has grown up returning to over the years. Choosing it for their engagement photos gave the images a personal connection that you can't always recreate by simply picking a beautiful location.

Cornwall has so many incredible beaches, and Watergate Bay is certainly one of them. Its wide, accessible and has endless open views which makes it a fantastic location for couple photography, particularly when the tide allows plenty of room to explore.

But beyond how it looks, it's the memories attached to a place that can make it even more meaningful. With Saskia and Alec getting married next year, it was lovely to capture this little part of their story somewhere that already means so much to them.

Couple embracing on rocky beach with sandy shore and ocean backdrop on a cloudy day at watergate bay in cornwall.
Couple embracing at watergate bay with dramatic cloudy sky and coastal cliffs in the background.

Looking Ahead to Their Wedding Next Year


Engagement shoots are a brilliant way to celebrate this stage of a relationship before the wedding arrives. They're also a chance to spend some time in front of the camera without the pressure of the wedding day itself. For Saskia and Alec, it was an opportunity to create some photographs together ahead of their wedding next year, while enjoying a sunny morning at one of Saskia's favourite places in Cornwall.

The shoot was relaxed, the weather was on our side, and despite the occasional sinking-sand situation, we came away with a lovely collection of images that captured their time together at Watergate Bay. It's always a privilege to photograph couples during this exciting chapter of their lives, and I'm looking forward to seeing Saskia and Alec's wedding plans come together.

Couple holding hands walking barefoot at watergate bay with dramatic cliffs and sunlight in background.
Couple walking a black dog on a sandy beach with dramatic cliffs and blue sky in the background.
A couple holds hands while climbing rocks at watergate bay, wearing casual sweaters and jeans with rocky cliffs behind them.

Looking for a Cornwall Engagement Photographer?


If you're recently engaged and looking for a Cornwall engagement photographer, I'd love to hear from you.

Whether you have a favourite beach you've been visiting for years, a special place you return to together, or simply want to explore somewhere new, an engagement shoot is a lovely way to capture this stage of your relationship. As a Cornwall wedding photographer, I love creating natural, relaxed photographs that tell a story and reflect each couple's personality. From the beaches around Watergate Bay to the quieter corners of the Cornish coastline, there are so many beautiful places to create something personal to you.


If you're planning your wedding in Cornwall and would like to chat about an engagement shoot or your weddign coverage, feel free to get in touch.

Couple embracing on rocky beach with sandy shore and cloudy sky backdrop.
A couple in cozy cable-knit sweaters share a tender moment on a sandy beach with ocean waves in the background.
Couple dancing barefoot on a beach in black and white, woman laughing joyfully while holding hands with her partner.
Black and white photo of a couple sharing a romantic kiss on a rocky beach with ocean waves in the background.
Couple holding hands walking barefoot on a sandy beach wearing white knit sweaters and blue jeans.
Couple holding hands on grassy coastal dunes with sandy beach and ocean in background.
Couple laughing together on a sandy beach, wearing cozy knit sweaters and jeans on a cloudy day.
Two people walking on a sandy beach with dramatic rocky cliffs and ocean waves under a partly cloudy sky.
Couple holding hands walking on sandy beach with dramatic rocky cliffs and sunburst in background.
A woman in a cream knit sweater and jeans stands on a sandy beach with hands clasped over her stomach.
Couple walking barefoot on sandy beach holding shoes, wearing jeans and cream sweaters, with rocky cliffs in background.
Couple holding hands walking on sandy beach with dramatic rocky cliffs and golden sunlight backdrop.
Couple holding hands on a grassy cliff overlooking a sandy beach and ocean under a partly cloudy sky.
Couple dancing in shallow water on a sunlit beach with mountain behind them.
Couple dancing barefoot on a sandy beach with ocean waves and cloudy sky in the background.
Couple in matching cream sweaters and jeans walking hand in hand along a sandy beach with ocean waves.
Couple in cable-knit sweaters walking a black dog on a sandy beach with cliffs in the background.
Couple holding hands walking barefoot on a sandy beach with ocean waves and dramatic cliffs in the background.