Top tips for epic + cinematic Scotland elopement photos
If you’re eloping to Scotland and are dreaming of dramatic, moody, and cinematic Scotland elopement photos like the ones you keep seeing on Pinterest… then you have come to the right place! In this blog, we will be breaking down what we mean by “cinematic,” and offering up our top 10 tips to achieve those photos you’re envisioning for your special day.
What Are “Cinematic” Elopement Images?
In our years of photographing countless elopements across Scotland, we’ve worked with many a couple who share one, common desire: an elopement experience that blends epic feelings with beautiful scenery and rich, storytelling imagery. Imagery that, you could say, feels like something you’d see in the cinema. See where we’re heading with this?
“Cinematic,” by definition, describes something that has the “visual qualities or aesthetics of a film or video.” You may have heard the term cinematic to describe an image, a movie, even a video game! Using a cinematic style simply means using aesthetic, visual, and artistic elements to tell a story, in a way that evokes some sort of emotional response – in the viewer, the reader, the gamer. Cinematic elements can come in the form of framing, special effects, colours, sounds. . . in our case, we view the key elements of cinematic Scottish elopement photos to be framing, composition, colours, landscapes, and love – aka everything we need to tell your unique story in a coheisve, unique way. Often, our images feel rich, romantic, and rooted in the natural elements – capturing moody lighting, stormy weather, and powerful emotions.
Now, let’s talk about how to actually achieve these kinds of images we’re speaking about!
10 Tips for Moody, Cinematic Scotland Elopement Photos
1. Cross your fingers for “bad” weather
Yes, we really mean it! As much as we love a good sun-soaked day in the Scottish highlands, nothing makes an adventure more inherently cinematic than “bad” weather. Moody, changeable lighting, stormy skies, misty drizzles, rolling fog… this classic Scottish weather creates the perfect atmosphere for a story that feels wildly dramatic without even trying.
Seriously… we love this kind of weather SO much that we often encourage our couples to elope in the winter rather than the warmer, more predictable summer months!
If you are feeling a wee bit nervous about how rain could impact your elopement, pause and go read this blog about how you can cope with it. We promise you will feel loads better + be ready to romanticise every raindrop that falls your way! Trust us… dancing in the rain is 100% worth it for the cinematic atmosphere it creates.
2. Pick the right outfit
Wearing the proper outfit will play a massive role in how dramatic your images turn out. Earth tones are always a grand way to go, embracing the rich shades that complement the landscapes around you: think warm browns, yellows, oranges, deep blues, greens, burgundies… as your Scottish elopement photographers who know the colours of these lands better than anyone, we’ll be happy to help you make the final decision if you’re unsure.
Material is also a huge part of crafting cinematic imagery, focusing on floaty materials that allow for movement and flexibility. Capes, veils, billowing sleeves, and lightweight trains are always fabulous—really anything that will blow around dramatically in a gust of wind. I cannot overstate how important it is to have outfits and/or accessories which can move freely for creating the sense of a ‘moment in time’ rather than a staged, posed capture.
Still searching for the perfect elopement outfit? Browse our guide featuring 10 gender-neutral and non-binary elopement attire ideas for inspiration.
3. Embrace movement
Speaking of materials that create movement, cinematic imagery (in our eyes) is all about creating and embracing dynamic, natural movement! We’ve never been the type to ask our couples to stand still and stare straight ahead at the camera… We’re much more likely to encourage you to dance around under the dark clouds, incorporate small movements into your snuggles and kisses, or walk hand-in-hand through the mountains as if you were strolling off into the sunset of your own romance novel. Standing still is the easiest way to get stiff and awkward in front of a camera, and to create photos that feel stifling, strict, or stagnant rather than dynamic and emotional!
4. Choose an epic location with dramatic landscapes
This one may seem obvious, but we figured we had to include it. The location of your elopement is one of the biggest factors in curating the cinematic experience you are craving! Picking one of these 12 places pretty much guarantees you a breathtaking elopement atmosphere that fosters effortless, authentic storytelling.
5. Elope at dusk or dawn
Choosing the right time of day to elope is key, as cinematic images focus largely on the lighting + colours around you. We recommend dusk or dawn as these times of day are especially cinematic, with stunning light right before or after sunset that automatically makes every image jaw-dropping!
6. Find a moody place to stay
Where you choose to stay for your elopement sets the tone for that moody vibe you’re dreaming of, so it’s essentially to choose somewhere that offers unique textures, colours, patterns, architecture, etc. Somewhere that has character and charm, so that your “getting ready” photos are able to be just as cinematic as your photos exploring the epic Scottish landscapes. Might we recommend somewhere like the Viewfield House – where D + E stayed (see their photos here)—that has an abundance of warm and cosy lamps, ornate gold frames, plush sofas, vintage books, and patterned curtains?
As much as it is tempting to stay in a modern scandi-inspired minimalist airBnB – bare walls and huge windows translate to a lack of soul and character in photos. It’s very difficult to create a sense of atmosphere when we can’t control light in the room or play with texture (it can feel quite clinical).
7. Prepare to get cosy
Unfortunately, you must be willing to get cosy and snuggly with each other if you want those epic, movie-style romance vibes! We know… it’s a big ask to want to be close and intimate with each other on your special day 😉 Trust your love to tell its own story – let yourselves relax into the moment with each other, holding each other’s hands, finding a sense of grounding in the rhythms of one another’s heartbeats. This day is all about you and when you prioritise that, it’s easy to capture your love in a cinematic, fim-worthy way.
8. Incorporate your everyday activities
One of the easiest ways to create a sense of storytelling in your elopement is to incorporate normal, everyday activities into your itinerary! Like making coffee together, having a bath, reading books on the sofa… every moment of your day plays a role in telling the larger narrative, and naturally leading up to + recovering from the big moment of your ceremony, or exchanging your vows.
9. Don’t be afraid to get a little weird
Truly, don’t be afraid to get a little weird – on your own volition but also with your photographer. It’s a creative collaboration between all of us, and weirdness often creates something striking. Placing your trust in us to capture the two of you at your most natural and in-love (as silly or serious as that may be) is the key to telling a story that feels cinematic, yes, but also honest.
10. Hire the right photographer
We may be biased, but hiring the right photographer is easily the most important factor in creating cinematic Scotland elopement imagery! Our intentional composition and framing of landscapes, combined with our rich, colourful editing style is what helps us craft the perfect cinematic photos for every couple we work with… and we’d be honoured to do the same for you.
Cinematic Scotland Elopement Photographers
If you’d like to learn more about who we are (hint: total nerds, weirdos, and cosy adventurers), and how we’ll tell your story through dramatic, cinematic images, grab a cuppa and get to know us here. Then, if you find yourselves looking for more information or are ready to chat about availability, get in touch! Together, we’ll begin planning an adventure that is silly, joyful, tender, and undeniably “you.”
A few additional resources we know you’ll find helpful in planning your one-of-a-kind adventure…
9 fairytale-inspired ideas for your Scottish elopement
What to do on your elopement day in Scotland? 101 ideas
Things you should know before deciding to elope
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