Who decides to do an engagement photoshoot during Edinburgh’s busiest time of the year? Well…we did! Lauren and Glen’s engagement session just happened to fall during the Fringe Festival, the busiest time in Edinburgh. This meant we had to be flexible, quick on our feet, and ready with a backup plan.

With over 14 years of experience as an engagement photographer, this did not phase me out and we made a plan on the move. Watch the video in this post about how this all unfolded.

Edinburgh Engagement Photos During Fringe Festival

When Lauren reached out, she wanted to celebrate her engagement to Glen with a memorable couples session, and they were bringing along their adorable dog, Teddy, who absolutely stole the show!

Planning for Crowds and Back-Up Locations

Originally, we planned to capture their engagement photos in the heart of Old Town. However, arriving early, I realized it was packed to the brim with festival-goers—making it impossible to create the intimate shots we wanted. But one of the best parts of photographing in Edinburgh is knowing where to go when plans change. I keep a guide of location options and quieter spots around Edinburgh for times like this, ensuring that no matter how crowded it gets, we can still find beautiful backdrops for memorable portraits.

Edinburgh engagement photographer

With that in mind, I suggested we head up to Calton Hill, one of my favorite spots. Although it’s usually busy as well, there are pockets of calm and great views where, with a little patience, you can capture beautiful shots even on the busiest of days.

Adapting and Splitting the Session

On a typical day, we might wander through the Royal Mile before ending up at Calton Hill, but with festival crowds making it tough to navigate the Royal Mile, we had to adapt. I suggested splitting the session into two parts: one day at Calton Hill and a second, early morning shoot along the Royal Mile. This way, we could avoid crowds and capture the atmosphere without the rush.

See Us in Action: Watch the Session Unfold

On day one, we captured stunning moments at Calton Hill. For day two, we met early to take advantage of the quiet morning streets on the Royal Mile, and the plan worked perfectly. The photos turned out beautifully, giving Lauren, Glen, and Teddy a mix of classic and creative shots that showcased their personalities and love story against Edinburgh’s unique backdrops.

100% recommend Armands, he did our couple/ dog shoot and the photos are perfect. We were last minute booking with him and wanting to do it on one of the busiest weekends in Edinburgh and he took it all in his stride. He even took an extra day to do our pictures in the City to try and avoid crowds. He captured our favourite parts of Edinburgh and even managed to make us look photogenic! (no small feat) Overall it was a very enjoyable experience and it’s all thanks to Armands.
Lauren

DAY 1 – Edinburgh Calton Hill

DAY 2 – Edinburgh Royal Mile and Old Town

Adding a Personal Touch

In each session, I love to balance traditional couples’ portraits with a few out-of-the-box shots that capture the couple’s unique dynamic. With Teddy along, we had a blast adding some playful shots that made the session extra special (I’ve always had a soft spot for dogs!).

Planning Your Own Edinburgh Engagement Session?

If you’re planning an engagement shoot in Edinburgh—festival season or not!—I’d love to help make it memorable. Whether you’re after iconic landmarks or quiet corners, we can find the perfect spots for you. Just reach out and let me know as much as you can about your vision. Together, we’ll make it happen.

Thanks for reading, and I look forward to capturing your story!

Best,
Armands

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