Katie + Alex | Cardiff

Why creative engagement photos beat the usual park poses every time

When Katie and Alex asked for an engagement shoot in Cardiff that felt 100 % them, we knew straight away: no rolling green fields, no sunset beaches, no “stand-and-smile” clichés. Instead, we spent an afternoon hunting the city’s best-kept secrets: brutalist concrete corners, neon-lit arcades, and colourful street art.

We wanted their engagement photos to tell their real story: playful, a little bit cheeky, and totally in love.

Parisian style arcades

We kicked off at one of my favourite stops during Katie and Alex’s Cardiff engagement shoot, a Parisian-style arcade tucked away in the city centre. With its warm café lighting, vintage wicker chairs, and the retro glow of a classic American diner reflected in the glass, it felt like we’d stepped straight onto a Paris side-street. The couple sat across from each other at a tiny candle-lit table, laughing and sharing those quiet, loved-up glances that make engagement photos truly special. It’s the perfect example of why we love urban engagement shoots in Cardiff: in under ten minutes you can go from brutalist concrete to neon halos to this effortlessly romantic, Parisian-inspired corner. Moments like these remind couples (and us!) that the best engagement photography isn’t about finding the grandest backdrop; it’s about finding the places that feel like “you”.

Brutalist Backdrops & warm car park light

We then hit some of Cardiff’s lesser-known architectural gems - the NCP Car Park. The repeating natural light creating striking floor patterns, that were just shouting to be used in the shot. These urban engagement photos prove you don’t need countryside to create drama; sometimes concrete and creativity are all you need.

Neon Halos and Street Art Magic

As the light dropped, we found a glowing pink sign that turned Katie and Alex into instant icons (think modern-day saints with better hair). A quick stop at a vibrant mural on a side street gave us the colourful, fun engagement portrait they’ll have on their wall forever.

Why Choose an Urban Engagement Shoot in Cardiff?

• You get lots of different scenes in one afternoon: gritty brutalism, colourful street art, neon lights and victorian history.

• The photos feel authentic to city-loving couples (no forced smiles in a field).

• Cardiff’s compact size means you can hit completely different looks in under 2 hours.

Katie and Alex now have a gallery of creative engagement photos that are relaxed, fun and unmistakably Cardiff. If you’re planning your own engagement shoot in Cardiff and want something different from the usual wedding photographer offerings, let’s talk. Whether it’s hidden brutalist corners, neon-lit lanes or Parisian style arcade vibes, we’ll make sure your photos are as unique as your love story.

Ready for your own non-traditional engagement shoot in Cardiff? HIT ME UP!