This month, I photographed and filmed a romantic couple session in Sandwich, a quaint medieval village in Kent. Cobbled streets, ancient buildings, soft light — and rain. The kind of rain that turns everything hazy, cinematic, and quietly emotional.
This session felt like one of those moments where everything aligns without forcing it.
A Couple Session That Started With a Wedding Video
Nikiece first contacted me on Instagram about creating a wedding video for her upcoming celebration. I don’t usually film weddings, but hers is beautifully intimate, and I immediately connected with the idea behind it.
We scheduled a phone call and quickly realised how naturally we got along. We shared the same vision, the same pace, the same feelings about what really matters. During that conversation, it became clear that photos should live alongside the film, so we decided to create an engagement couple session before the wedding.
From there, everything unfolded with surprising ease.
Why Sandwich, Kent Felt Like the Right Place
In the days leading up to the session — and even on the day itself — there were so many small, serendipitous moments where our ideas kept converging.
I mentioned Sandwich as a location, and Nikiece immediately shared how deeply connected she is to this place. It holds family memories, moments of reflection, and most importantly, it’s where Jack proposed — under a willow tree. Coincidentally, that same willow tree became the final spot of our shoot.
I also suggested embracing the rain that was forecast for the day. Nikiece didn’t hesitate. Rain, it turns out, is their favourite weather. Their first kisses happened in snow and rain, and they’re even hoping for rain on their wedding day.
That moment felt like a quiet tick off my own bucket list too.
The rain wrapped everything in softness. The air felt heavy and calm, almost unreal — like walking through a dream you don’t want to wake up from.
From Nervousness to Connection
Jack was understandably a little nervous at first, which is completely normal. But it didn’t take long for things to settle. We talked, we walked, we laughed. I’m easy to talk to, and my priority is always making you feel comfortable — like you can just be yourselves.
Once the pressure lifted, the session became what it was meant to be: two people sharing time together, not performing for the camera.
A Few Words From Nikiece
I thought it would be meaningful to share the experience from Nikiece’s side of the lens, for couples who might feel hesitant about booking a couple session before their wedding.
What drew you to my work? Why did you think we were the right fit for this couple session?
When we started looking for a photographer, I knew I wanted our photos and videos to feel warm, nostalgic, and truly lived-in — not posed or overly structured. After searching high and low, I came across your work and instantly fell in love with the feeling behind it. Everything looked so natural and effortless, like each session was quietly telling its own story. I knew then that I wanted our story to be captured through your lens — photographs that feel like us, not like every other wedding album I’ve seen.
From our very first chat, it felt like our energies just clicked. You didn’t feel like a photographer at all, but more like a friend, and in that moment I knew working together would be everything I’d been hoping for.
Why a session in Sandwich, and why the rain? Did it meet your expectations?
At first, we imagined our shoot taking place in the woods. But as we shared ideas back and forth, you mentioned Sandwich — a place that already held so much meaning for me. It’s woven into my family history through memorials, and it’s also where Jack proposed, beneath the willow trees, in the rain.
Jack and I shared our very first kiss in the snow, and the next in the rain. Rain has always felt like home to us — calm, cosy, and grounding. We pray for rain on our upcoming wedding day, so when we found out it would be raining on the day of our session, we didn’t wish it away. We leaned into it, because there was nothing more us.
The shoot became more than we ever expected. What started with nerves slowly melted into laughter and ease, until we were simply enjoying the day together. It’s one of those memories we know we’ll still be telling — the kind you pass down, someday, to your grandchildren.
Any advice for couples considering a session like this?
Don’t be nervous — Alba has a wonderful way of putting you instantly at ease. And to the men: don’t panic. Just be yourselves. Treat your other half the way you always do, and trust that Alba will gently capture those quiet, meaningful moments in between.
And finally, welcome whatever weather comes your way. Splash in the puddles, let your shoes get muddy, laugh through the rain. Those are often the moments that stay with you the longest — the ones that make the memories feel real.
Looking Ahead & booking your dream couple session
Thank you, Nikiece and Jack, for trusting me with this session and for inviting me into your story. I cannot wait to capture your wedding video and everything that comes with it.
If you’re dreaming of a couple session that truly looks like you — rooted in feeling, memory, and connection — you can send me a booking request anytime through this page. If you want to see my Instagram post about this session, click here.
I’d love to capture your love.
Alba
