An Almscliffe Crag Engagement Shoot: Gritstone, Moody Skies and Bronte the Dog
Big grey skies, a wind that wouldn’t leave Sophie’s hair alone, and a little dog on a red lead keeping an eye on things from the rocks. Sophie and David’s engagement shoot at Almscliffe Crag was everything we love about photographing couples in Yorkshire.
Almscliffe Crag: a gritstone landmark above Lower Wharfedale
Almscliffe Crag, often spelled Almscliff, is a great bulk of coarse gritstone that dominates the northern skyline of Lower Wharfedale, near the village of North Rigton in North Yorkshire. A well-used public footpath leads to it from Crag Lane, and from the top a patchwork of fields spreads out below you. For photos it gives you three settings in one short walk. There are big skies on top of the rocks, sheer dark faces at the foot of the crag, and long grass in the fields around it.
It has a bit of mystery about it too. Some believe the rocks were held sacred in ancient times, and one historian has suggested the name means ‘the altar cliff’.
Yorkshire is often described as ‘God’s Own Country’, and after nearly a decade of living here we really have started to believe it ourselves. It’s easy to take the scenery for granted when you see it every day, but shoots like this remind us just how beautiful our home is. Almscliffe is somewhere we’d visited a few times, so when Sophie and David chose it for their engagement session, we couldn’t wait to head back.
Moody skies, dark rock and Bronte
Sophie and David brought their dog, Bronte, who spent the shoot on a red lead at their feet and every so often took centre stage in the foreground. The atmospheric weather gave a great backdrop: low grey cloud, with the sun breaking through in silvery patches.
We started on top of the rocks, with the two of them standing out against the sky. Then we headed down to the foot of the crag, where dark walls of gritstone towered over them. Sophie’s rust-orange skirt and David’s denim shirt looked brilliant against the grey stone and the green grass.
Back up on top, the fields spread out below them for a kiss in the wind. We finished with the pair of them walking hand in hand through the long grass, laughing as they went.
It’s always the couple that makes the photos
We had such a great time exploring with Sophie and David, taking in the epic views and talking about their plans for the wedding. For us, it’s always the couple rather than the location that make great photographs. With Sophie and David’s connection we could have blogged twice as many shots, as we just loved them all, and we couldn’t wait to share their wedding after this.
Why we love an engagement shoot at Almscliffe Crag
If you’re thinking about Almscliffe for your own engagement shoot, here’s our honest take:
- It’s easy to reach. A public footpath leads to the crag from Crag Lane near North Rigton. If you drive, park considerately in the village.
- Grey skies are good. Moody weather suits the dark gritstone and gives you atmospheric photos rather than flat ones.
- Bring the dog. Dogs are family, and Bronte added so much character to these photos.
- Wear sensible shoes. The rocks are uneven and the paths can get very muddy in winter, so bring boots and save your smart shoes for the photos.
Planning an engagement shoot in Yorkshire?
We love a shoot with big views and a bit of weather. See more of our Leeds wedding photography and Yorkshire wedding photography, or get in touch to plan your own.
See also: Wedding at Sophie & David – Tithe Barn Bolton Abbey Yorkshire.
