New Forest Engagement Shoots don’t come much better than this. Glorious summer light, a couple deeply connected, and their lovable Cavapoo stealing hearts (and screen time). Charlotte & Ethan’s session at Bolton’s Bench in Hampshire had all the magic ingredients — relaxed energy, stunning backdrops, and real chemistry that made photographing them feel effortless.
“Linus is almost certainly a master at his craft”
The Start of Something Beautiful
Charlotte and Ethan first crossed paths with us at Highcliffe Castle wedding fair earlier this spring. Still soaking up the early days of engagement, they were excited about capturing this season of their relationship in a way that felt true to them.
From the very first message, their warmth came through. Easy-going, thoughtful, and totally open to ideas — these two were a dream to work with. And when Charlotte dropped the line “Linus is almost certainly a master at his craft” in her post-shoot review? We’ll be dining out on that one for a while.
Location Spotlight: Bolton’s Bench, New Forest – A New Favourite for Engagement Sessions
Although we’d driven past this New Forest gem many times, this was our first time actually stopping to explore it properly. Bolton’s Bench is a dream for any New Forest Engagement Photographer — open heathland, long grasses, striking trees and just the right mix of terrain changes to keep things interesting.
We caught it at its absolute best: golden hour light, soft shadows, and just enough breeze to bring a little movement and life to the frames. Honestly, we could shoot here every week and never get bored.
The Magic Mix: Light, Love, and a Little Dog Called Elsie
What made this shoot so special wasn’t just the light (though it was chef’s kiss), or the location (unreal), but the way Charlotte, Ethan and little Elsie interacted.
Their chemistry was clear from the get-go — relaxed, genuine, and totally in tune with each other. Elsie added an extra dimension, bounding in and out of the frame like a pro, creating the kind of spontaneous, joy-filled moments you just can’t fake.
As the sun dipped lower, we moved across the heathland, chasing silhouettes and warm glows. Every frame felt like a keeper. And then — like something from a New Forest fairytale — we stumbled upon a foal and its mum grazing quietly beyond a hedge. Carefully, we edged closer. Elsie tucked safely in Ethan’s arms. And with the light still perfect, we captured the closing images of the session.
A Photographer's Perspective: This Is What It's All About
Engagement sessions like this one are a total reminder of why we do what we do. Not just to get “pretty pictures” — but to tell stories. To give couples an hour in their whirlwind wedding planning to pause, connect, and just be.
From a photographer’s point of view, it was a session where everything aligned: light, location, connection, and even a little dog-shaped wildcard. What more could we ask for?
Thinking About Your Own New Forest Engagement Shoot?
Whether you’re newly engaged or just love the idea of having your story told in a place as beautiful and wild as the New Forest, we’d love to create something together.
