Avid readers of the blog may recall that a couple of months ago we ran a special competition together with Sona of Inspired by Love Photography - the prize was pretty amazing: to win a complete wedding photography package including the full day of the wedding and also a pre-wedding/engagement shoot.

The response was phenomenal and Sona had a very difficult time picking a winner. In the end Zena & Bryan were chosen as the winning couple and today we're delighted to be able to show you the first part of their prize - the Engagement Shoot.

Zena & Bryan weren't even going to have a professional wedding photographer at their wedding in October in the Dylan Hotel, but I'd say they're over the moon and very excited to have Inspired by Love's Photography on board having seen this first part of Sona's work.

Zena suggested Skerries beach as a location for the engagement shoot, and despite the fact that Sona had never been there before, and only had an hour to complete it, the results are fantastic. It's a perfect example of what a pre-wedding or engagement photography session is all about: getting the couple to relax on front of the camera, and become comfortable with the photographer, helping the photographer to understand the couple and their dynamic.

This all sounds like a bit of a chore, but the great part is that you get these beautiful pictures of your courtship to enjoy. I think it's all very romantic altogether - have to get Mr. Naoise out for ours.

Zena & Bryan also have a little son called Dylan whom they brought along and involved in the proceedings, so they now also have some lovely family portraits. Personally I'm delighted to see these photographs turn out so great - it's lovely to see the results of a competition like this - and I think it points to three key points about successful engagement photography.

Three Keys To Successful Engagement Photography

First, it's about preparation - picking a great location, whether it's a beach, a park, a shop you love, wherever, somewhere that you love and that will form a great backdrop.

Second, again preparation- but of yourselves this time, scrubbing up well, picking a nice outfit like Zena did (she went shopping specially) a pretty dress or something a little special (but not ott or too formal) so you will feel special.

And third it's about the photographer - choose your photographer carefully.  Choose someone with professionalism and talent like Lila's Photography (we have long lists of others we love) and the results will speak for themselves and you will be delighted for years to come.

Now I'm off to plan my own...