A Brimham Rocks Engagement Shoot: Wild Weather and a Family Day Out with Rory
Somewhere between the bitter wind and the driving rain, the sun broke through low over Nidderdale. Michala and Phil stood silhouetted on the wet rocks at Brimham, close together, watching it light up the clouds. Sunshine, bitter wind and driving rain, all in a couple of hours: a proper Yorkshire day out.
Brimham Rocks: a National Trust landscape in Nidderdale
Whenever we talk to friends from overseas who are visiting the UK, we go on about how fantastic Yorkshire is. London’s a great place with lots to see, but for us nothing can match the places Yorkshire has to offer. Brimham Rocks is one of them.
It sits on the moors above Summerbridge, about 11 miles from Harrogate and four from Pateley Bridge, inside the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The National Trust looks after it. It says the story of the rocks begins with an immense river 100 million years before the first dinosaurs, and that the last ice age helped to shape them. The result is a maze of towering stacks with names like Idol Rock and the Mushroom Rocks, set in 400 acres of heather moorland with panoramic views over Nidderdale.
Two full-time jobs, a pilot’s licence and Rory
I often think we’re pretty busy. Between edits, shoots, mentoring other businesses and running our own, we don’t take many days off. But hearing about Phil and Michala’s schedule made me feel downright lazy! As if two full-time jobs and an adorable son weren’t enough, Phil is also training for his commercial pilot’s licence. I’m pretty sure that alone would keep me busy.
It’s nice to think our engagement shoots give couples an excuse for some time off, and we were so pleased Phil and Michala wanted to include their 15-month-old son, Rory. I don’t think he was too sure about us and our cameras, though!
In his mustard jacket and knitted hat, Rory toddled up the mossy grass holding both his parents’ hands. He was snuggled in Phil’s arms while Michala smiled beside them, and at the end of a wet, glistening path between the rocks he was lifted high into the air.
Sunshine, bitter wind and driving rain
The day was completely unpredictable. In the couple of hours we spent at Brimham we had brief spells of fantastic sunshine, bitterly cold wind and driving rain. That kind of variety makes our job interesting and keeps us pushing for new shots.
The rocks towered over the three of them, streaked with moss, and Michala’s leopard-print coat stood out against the dark stone. The wind whipped her hair across her face as the two of them held each other close.
I know we’re British and we’re supposed to moan about the weather. Your hands might be stinging from the wind, and your walking boots inexplicably wet despite their claims of waterproofing. But there’s nothing like looking at the back of your camera and seeing the kind of shots only Brimham Rocks, the British weather and a fantastic couple can create.
Why we love an engagement shoot at Brimham Rocks
If you’re thinking about Brimham for your own engagement photos, here’s our honest advice:
- It works in any weather. Like so many places around here, it doesn’t matter what the sky does: you’re guaranteed a fantastic view.
- Bring the whole family. The grassy slopes between the rocks gave Rory room to toddle, and dogs are welcome too, on a short lead.
- Dress for the moor. It’s exposed up there, so bring warm layers and boots that really are waterproof.
- Wait for the light. Low sun breaking through over Nidderdale gave us some of the most dramatic frames of the day.
Planning your own engagement shoot in Yorkshire?
Brimham is an easy trip from Harrogate and one of our favourite spots for engagement photos. See more of our Yorkshire wedding photography, or get in touch to plan your shoot.
