The best locations for engagement and wedding photography in Bath
It's no secret that Bath, with its rolling hills and world-famous Georgian architecture, is a popular place to get married, regardless of where the bride and groom actually live. It has many stunning wedding venues which are ideal locations for photos of the wedding guests and the party in full swing.
But I also find that many couples approach me wanting to have photographs professionally taken of them in a range of the city's locations, either on the wedding day itself or during the run-up to the big day, which feature locations other than the party and event venues. Here are some locations which have proved most popular with my customers.
Alexandra Park
Shakespeare Ave, Bath BA2 4RQ Click here to see Alexandra Park in Google Maps
Bath is full of spectacular vistas, but this viewpoint has to be the best of the best. Set on a dramatic hillside, the park's north-east corner commands a wide panorama over central Bath, with Bath Abbey standing tall in the heart of the city. Road access is via Shakespeare Avenue in the Bear Flat area (up the A367 from the city centre). Or it's a steep but rewarding climb via Widcombe of Holloway up through the Beechen Cliff woods.
Wedding photography at Alexandra Park, Bath. Beata Cosgrove Photography
Prior Park
Ralph Allen Drive, Bath BA2 5AH Prior Park in Google Maps
Prior Park is an oasis of spectacular countryside just a mile from Bath city centre. Instantly recognisable with its landscaped lake and Palladian Bridge, it feels as though it was laid out 200 years ago with engagement photography in mind! Prior Park is owned and managed by the National Trust, and permission needs to be obtained prior to undertaking professional photography on the site. The most direct (and flattest!) access from central Bath is along Church Lane in Widcombe, but there is no parking, so a taxi is probably going to be your easiest way of getting to the Park. But it's definitely worth it!
Feel like a Jane Austen character in Bath's romantic Prior Park. Photo by Beata Cosgrove, reproduced with the permission of the National Trust
Royal Crescent
Royal Crescent, Bath, BA1 2LS Royal Crescent in Google Maps and the best view of the whole Royal Crescent from the lawns just uphill from Royal Avenue
The world-famous facade of Bath's Royal Crescent is an ideal backdrop for wedding and engagement photos. Because of the unusual shape of the building, the best vantage point if you want to get the whole building in is from the public lawn and footpath by Royal Avenue, where the photo here was taken.
Bride and groom in front of Bath's Royal Crescent, designed by John Wood the Younger, and built 1767-1774. Copyright Beata Cosgrove Photography
Bath Abbey
Bath BA1 1LT Bath Abbey in Google Maps
Regardless of whether your ceremony is in Bath Abbey or not, this magnificent gothic building looms large in central Bath. It's just a stone's throw away from the Guildhall and Victoria Art Gallery, which are two of the city's finest wedding venues, and so a short walk can be enough to guarantee that the abbey features in your photos too.
A happy couple on their big day outside Bath Abbey. Beata Cosgrove Photography
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If you're planning a wedding anywhere from Bath to Botswana, you might be interested to read my blog post on questions to ask your prospective wedding photographer before you engage them.
On my website, you'll also find other blogs featuring photos from weddings I've photographed, including this recent one.
You can also browse a selection of photos from Bath and Bristol in my main weddings gallery.
And do please feel free to contact me if you would like to ask for a quote for wedding, engagement or other photography work.
Engagement and wedding photography at Bailbrook House Hotel, Bath
When this couple asked me to photograph their wedding at Bailbrook House Hotel in Batheaston (just outside Bath), I leapt at the opportunity. Before the big day, we met at the venue in order to plan which locations would work well for group photos on the wedding day. It also gave them a picture to use for their invitations.
No excuse now for guests to turn up at the wrong hotel!
The hotel's rolling grounds and gracefully landscaped gardens provide several ideal places to take some engagement shots. One of my ideas was for them both to each produce a drawing showing how they see the other, which caused a great deal of laughter!
Bailbrook House is a handsome Georgian building, and its front entrance provides an imposing backdrop for group photos.....
... and confetti shots:
...as does the garden:
with its majestic trees just asking to be sat on!
The interior also contains some fine period features for wedding photos in a classical style:
Bath local wedding photographer at the Roman Baths, Royal Crescent, Parade Gardens, No 15
Couples looking to celebrate their wedding in Bath sometimes feel spoilt for choice when selecting which of Bath's gorgeous wedding venues to go for. One option is to do what Jim and Rea did, and spread their wedding out across several locations in the city! First up was an apartment in Great Pulteney Street, rented for Rea's early morning bridal preparations.
Immediately after that, it was on to the Roman Baths, where Jim and Rea had booked the sunrise slot for their wedding ceremony, giving them exclusive use of the 2,000-year-old building before it opened up to the day's tourists.
With the flame torches lit up, The Roman Baths looked spectacular, providing an ideal location for portraits of the whole group of guests.....
... the bride and bridesmaids....
... and of course the happy couple.
Coming out of the building onto the street, the guests provided quite a confetti shower!
Next, it was off to Royal Victoria Park, one of Bath's many romantic photo locations. But why walk....
... when you can go by horse and carriage?!
The umbrella wasn't just a photographic prop by the way, it really was chucking it down! Just a minute away from Royal Victoria Park is one of Bath's most iconic pieces of Georgian architecture, the Royal Crescent.
Small groups of onlookers wished Jim and Rea well as they posed for the camera, although not all of them were quite so camera-shy!
Next on the itinerary was the Parade Gardens, which fortunately features a covered portico, providing an intimate backdrop for the group, and some very welcome shelter from the rain.
The final destination was the magnificent hotel at Number.15 Great Pulteney for the wedding feast.
And
Congratulations to the lovely couple!
Why my customers would recommend me as a photographer
This week, I notched up 40 reviews on Google, all 40 of which are 5 stars. I'm delighted to have received this feedback. You can read for yourself my reviews on Google here... or you can just read my summary of what my customers have to say in this blog post!
I've been through the comments systematically and have identified the top seven reasons why my customers choose and are happy to recommend me. So here's the countdown on the top 7.....
The top 7 reasons why my customers recommend me as a photographer
Number 7 Speed of service: 'a quick turnaround'
I know that once you have engaged a professional photographer, you will be keen to see the results ASAP. Each photograph is individually edited, and I do this as soon as reasonably possible after each shoot, so that you will have your photos very promptly.
Number 6 An enjoyable experience: 'lots of fun, relaxed atmosphere...'
I love the job I do, and I'm confident that comes across when I work with people. I always want people to enjoy being photographed, and one of the best ways to achieve this is by making my portrait sessions fun, whether I am photographing children or adults!
Number 5 Value for money: 'And all for a great price'
I ensure that I provide top quality service and photographs at a reasonable price. If you're interested in hiring a professional photographer in the Bath area, do please get in touch and let me know your requirements, so that I can quote you a price.
Number 4 Fully meeting customer needs: 'she managed to adapt quickly to each request'
No two briefs are the same, and I always make sure I have a clear idea of what kind of pictures you are looking for, whether for personal or business use.
Not everyone is entirely comfortable having their photograph taken, and I fully understand that...
Number 3 Establishing a rapport: 'she worked really hard to make me feel at ease'
One comment that comes up over and over in my reviews is the way in which I am able to make people feel relaxed when I take their portrait. My style is to chat and engage with people when I photograph them. This is both because I am a sociable person and enjoy meeting and working with new people. And it's also because I appreciate that some people feel slightly anxious about being photographed when they come to me to have their portrait taken, and it's only when they feel more relaxed with me and in front of the camera that their personality really emerges. My aim is to put you at ease so that I can take photos which show you as you really are.
Number 2 Professionalism:
As well as having high-end professional Nikon equipment and Profoto cableless lights, I always ensure that I am well prepared for any photo shoot, and will always have prepared ideas for locations, poses and props in order to meet and exceed my customers' needs and expectations.
Number 1 Quality of photographs: 'superb results'
Many of my customers, like D in the review shown here, have been delighted with the photographs they have commissioned me to take, and I pride myself on the composition, quality and variety of images I take for my customers.
But rather than just taking their word for it, do please look for yourself through my portfolio, where you can view galleries of portrait photography including family groups, professional and corporate portraits taken in my studio in Bear Flat in Bath as well as at other locations, wedding photography in Bath and Bristol, event photography in Bath, Bradford-on-Avon, Swindon and Bristol, architectural photos of Bath and much more.
40 five-star customer reviews for Bath photographer Beata Cosgrove
I was delighted to pass a milestone this week, with my 40th consecutive 5-star rating on Google.
Reviews from customers are an excellent way for a photographer (or any other business) to let prospective customers see what past customers really think of the business. And they're an invaluable tool for anyone who wants to hire a photographer to make an informed choice about who to choose.
You can read for yourself my reviews on Google here.
