Keira & Desai’s Pattoo Castle Engagement Session
Keira and Desai chose to have their destination engagement session in Jamaica at the beautiful Pattoo Castle, just one day before their wedding. As an engagement photographer in Jamaica, one of my favourite things is helping couples feel relaxed before the big day, and this session was the perfect example of why engagement shoots are so worthwhile.
They originally wanted to create natural ceremony poses and romantic couple portraits while also overcoming their nerves before their destination wedding. It turned out to be one of the best decisions they made.
Why Keira & Desai Chose an Engagement Session Before Their Wedding
Like many couples, Keira and Desai admitted they were quite nervous because they’d never had professional photos taken together before. During the shoot, they told me they wanted to include a dip and twirl during their wedding ceremony, but they weren’t sure how to make it look natural. So… we practiced!
We laughed our way through it, and I photographed every attempt so they could see what it actually looked like rather than imagining it. Their confidence grew with every pose. One of my favourite memories was Keira giggling every single time Desai dipped her. It was honestly so cute.
Sometimes I’d gently pull Keira closer to Desai so they naturally fell into each other’s space, and those little adjustments created some of my favourite romantic (PG-rated!) photographs from the session. By the end of the session, Keira and Desai were giggling, being completely themselves and had totally forgotten I even had a camera in my hands.
When I showed them a few previews on the back of my camera, they both gasped, looked at each other and said, “Oh my goodness! They look so good!” They couldn’t stop smiling. “I can’t wait to see the rest. We absolutely love them already!” Moments like that are exactly why I love what I do. Seeing a couple realise they don’t have to be models to have beautiful photographs never gets old.
See also: Engagement Session: How to Pose as a Shy Couple
Exploring Pattoo Castle in Negril, Jamaica
One of the things I love about Pattoo Castle is how many beautiful locations it offers without needing to travel anywhere else. During their engagement session we explored:
- The balcony
- The grand staircase
- The stone ledges overlooking the ocean
- The ceremony area
Every location had a completely different feel while still keeping that elegant, romantic atmosphere. As their Negril engagement photographer, I wanted them to stop worrying about posing and simply enjoy spending time together. I gave them light prompts that were easy to follow rather than stiff poses, and before long they completely forgot they were in front of a camera. We also created a romantic couples video together, which made the experience even more memorable.
Sometimes my couples say:
“We’re so awkward in photos.”
My answer is always… “So am I!” Honestly. That’s probably why I relate so well to nervous couples. Instead of making you stand still in one pose for ages, I keep you moving. We’ll walk. We’ll laugh. We’ll chat. We’ll use little prompts that feel natural.
If you’ve saved ideas on Pinterest, we’ll absolutely include some of those too. If you need five or ten minutes to have a breather, grab some water or simply reset, that’s completely fine too. My goal isn’t just beautiful photographs. It’s making sure you actually enjoy the experience. I also send all of my couples a guide on posing naturally before their engagement session because I want you arriving feeling excited rather than worried.
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like having me as your photographer, I’m basically your biggest hype woman! I remember saying things like:
“Now look over your shoulder… yep… just like that.”
Why Pattoo Castle is Perfect for Engagement Photos
Pattoo Castle is one of Jamaica’s hidden gems. Located in Negril, it’s easy to reach from Montego Bay Airport and offers breathtaking ocean views, dramatic cliffs and complete privacy.
One of my favourite moments is just before sunset. You can hear the waves crashing against the rocks while the golden light wraps around the castle. It honestly feels magical. Because the venue is so private, you don’t have people constantly walking through your photographs or interrupting those intimate moments together.
The following day I also photographed their wedding as their Pattoo Castle wedding photographer, so getting to know each other beforehand made their wedding portraits feel completely effortless.
If you’re planning an intimate destination wedding or engagement session in Jamaica, Pattoo Castle is definitely worth considering.
Why Have an Engagement Session Before Your Wedding?
I genuinely believe every couple should consider an engagement session before their wedding day. It helps you:
- Feel comfortable in front of the camera.
- Learn what poses feel natural.
- Build confidence.
- Get to know your photographer.
- Feel far more relaxed on your wedding day.
By the time your wedding arrives, taking photographs doesn’t feel awkward anymore. It simply feels like spending time together. Having engagement photos in Jamaica also becomes part of your story. It’s something you’ll look back on with your children, grandchildren and loved ones for years to come.
Planning Your Own Pattoo Castle Engagement Session?
If you’re planning a destination engagement session in Jamaica or a destination wedding, I’d love to help create relaxed, romantic photographs that feel natural and genuinely reflect who you are as a couple.
Whether you’re camera-shy or already love being in front of the lens, I’ll guide you every step of the way.