Farmers Image of the Week: Theme Park Engagement Photography with James Watson
FARMERS IMAGE OF THE WEEK
James Watson
Farmers Image of the Week: Theme Park Engagement Photography with James Watson
This week we have a fantastic example of theme park engagement photography from James Watson at Birches and Pine. He takes the humble engagement photo and elevates it into something iconic. Photographing a couple in a busy theme park on a summer day is no small feat, but James has managed to isolate the couple perfectly, using the vibrant surroundings to frame them. The result is a joyful, well-composed shot that beautifully captures the fun and freedom of a theme park experience.
Engagement shoots often serve as a wonderful opportunity for photographers to push themselves out of their creative comfort zones and see what they can create within various restrictions – whether that’s busy spaces, tricky lighting, or unique locations. Sometimes, having endless creative options can actually lead to a sense of overwhelm, whereas working within boundaries forces you to think outside the box. This image is a brilliant example of that principle in action.
The first thing that strikes you about this photo is its unique angle and vibrant colour palette. James’s decision to shoot from below gives the impression that the couple is soaring above the everyday, caught up in a moment of pure joy. This upward perspective, combined with the swing’s chains leading our eye diagonally across the frame, creates a dynamic sense of movement.
The use of the theme park’s vibrant orange structure as a foreground element is also key. It not only helps to frame the couple but also brings a playful pop of colour into the shot. James’s skill in composition is evident here, as he’s managed to balance the bold, warm hues of the orange against the blue of the sky, allowing the couple to stand out as the focal point.
What really makes this image special is its feeling of spontaneity and energy. You can almost hear the sound of the rides and the laughter in the air. The couple’s expressions of happiness and ease only add to this, making the photograph a celebration of joy, connection, and freedom.
This image is a great reminder of how engagement shoots, even in the busiest or most unconventional settings, can yield some of the most memorable and creative results. All it takes is a skilled photographer who can see beyond the distractions and focus on creating something truly special.
THE DETAILS
CAMERA: Nikon ZF | VOIGTLÄNDER VM 40MM 1.4 NOKTON MC
SETTINGS: ISO 100 | F4 | 1/640
PRESET: Own Preset
“I knew I wanted shots of them on a ride, but with my 40mm lens, it had to be something I could get close to. We strolled past roller coasters, the Haunted House, and the River Rapids until we found ourselves in front of the Swinging Chairs. Perfect!“
Halfway through a jam-packed wedding season, I got a call from Sai and Nathan, one of my couples. They were looking for a spot for their pre-wedding shoot, and just as I was about to suggest the usual park down the road—because, let’s face it, it’s easy—Sai jumped in. “I don’t want to go to a boring park. Can’t we do something more fun, like, I don’t know… a theme park?”
I was taken aback for a second, but then I couldn’t help but match her excitement. “Let’s go to a theme park!” I said, grinning. Being in the Midlands, our nearest one was Drayton Manor, so after a quick Google search to check the rules, I found nothing that said we couldn’t shoot there. We were on!
Fast forward to a busy August weekday, and there we were, meeting in the Drayton Manor car park, all slightly unsure how this was going to pan out. I packed light, bringing just my Nikon Zf and two small lenses, still half-expecting security to stop me at the gate. But they checked our tickets, stamped our hands, and waved us through. We were in!
I knew I wanted shots of them on a ride, but with my 40mm lens, it had to be something I could get close to. We strolled past roller coasters, the Haunted House, and the River Rapids until we found ourselves in front of the Swinging Chairs. Perfect! It had enough space for me to move around, and plenty of angles to play with. Sai and Nathan were a bit nervous, but game. They grabbed seats on the edge, away from the crowd, while I quickly scouted for the best spot to shoot from.
The ride started, and I raced around, trying to pick them out from the blur of spinning chairs. It was tricky, but after a few passes, I found my rhythm and managed to catch them each time they flew by. As the ride slowed, I spotted this bright orange fence at the exit and had an idea. I hurried over, capturing those last few moments as they came to a stop—A look of relief on their faces as they touched back down on solid ground.
We spent the rest of the afternoon walking around the park eating ice cream and talking about their up coming wedding plans, this definitely beat another shoot in my local park!
THE TECH TALK
Farmers Image of the Week: Theme Park Engagement Photography with James Watson
This wasn’t exactly the ideal setup for shooting a couple spinning around on a theme park ride, but I made the most of what I had. I was using an M mount lens adapted for my Nikon Z, and I knew focusing on fast-moving subjects would be a challenge. I set the aperture to around f/4 or higher (the manual aperture ring on the lens made it tricky to pinpoint the exact setting).
To give myself the best shot at capturing something even remotely in focus, I switched the camera to 3D tracking mode and cranked up the shutter to High Continuous, to give my self the best chance to capture something that was vaguely in focus. Even with all this I wasn’t able to get a perfect frame with both of them in focus, so this final image is actually a composition of two images for the same burst of images.

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