This previously unblogged session of a couple in love from my Urban Portraits Dumfries project is just right to be posted on Valentine’s Day. When Lucy and Matthew first contacted me they wrote about their affection for Nithsdale, their long walks along the stream and their appreciation of living near the river Nith running through Dumfries. That’s why on one fine sunny afternoon we headed for Dumfries town centre bridges and riverbanks  for Lucy and Matthew’s urban photoshoot.

We started our session on the Victorian pedestrian suspension bridge at Whitesands. Light and airy, with its flat-link chains and iron-rod suspenders, lit by golden afternoon sun, the 1875 footbridge looked like an ideal romantic portrait location for our lovely couple.

Portrait session on Dumfries pedestrian suspension bridge
Lucy and Matthew of the Victorian suspension bridge
Lucy against the airy latticework of the railing
Lucy against the airy latticework of the railing
The leading lines
The leading lines
Together
Together

Part of Urban Portraits Dumfries project is to celebrate the town as a giant idiosyncratic location set, with its unique character, colours and spaces. The panoramic outlook on the townscape, Whitesands and the river view, opening from the Robert Burns Centre, provided an impressive urban frame for location portrait photography. The round tiered turrets behind Lucy and Matthew came as if from a medieval fairy tale. The mirror that Lucy brought for our ‘magic bag’ prep technique allowed us to play with reflections focusing on the inner life of the couple.

Dumfries townscape serves as a distinctive location set in this photo of a local couple
Dumfries townscape serves as a distinctive location set in this photo
Lucy
Lucy
A portrait of Matthew, the dried caul  and Whitesands behind
A portrait of Matthew, the dried caul and Whitesands behind
I made  them do it...
I made them do it…
In the mirror
In the mirror
Couple portrait with Dumfries characteristic turrets at the background
Lucy and Matthew on the riverbank with Dumfries’s fairy tale turrets at the background

One cannot imagine the river Nith without the solid masonry arches of one of Scotland’s oldest bridges, the Auld Brigg or Devorgilla Bridge. Intent on showcasing Dumfries’ best features, of course we included it on our riverside portrait itinerary.

Lucy stands against the old masonry arches of Devorgilla Bridge as the sun sets
Lucy stands against the old masonry arches of Devorgilla Bridge as the sun sets
Matthew - the red lifebouy repeats the line of the arch
Matthew – the red lifebouy repeats the line of the arch
On the bridge - more props from Lucy's magic bag
On the bridge – more props emerge from Lucy’s magic bag

This was great fun! Dumfries is so photogenic! Thank you, Lucy and Matthew, for taking part in the project!

If you are intrigued by the idea of urban portraits and would like to book your personalised photo session please use the contact form and I’ll get in touch with you to discuss the details.

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