Kodak Corner Couple Portrait: Farmers Image Of The Week

Imagine a vista so stunning it’s become known locally as Kodak Corner. When I came across this standout engagement photo by Northern Irish duo The Lous, I had to look up exactly where this was, despite being from Northern Ireland myself. That name? Not hype. This location delivers.

Kodak Corner sits high above Carlingford Lough and has a reputation for unbeatable views. The kind of place that earns its name because you want to frame it the minute it’s in your viewfinder. It’s said that the name was coined by locals and visiting photographers alike, based on the number of postcard-worthy frames this vantage point offers and this image lives up to the billing.

One of the best parts of being a wedding photographer is that it constantly pushes us to explore. Sometimes that’s about seeing the familiar with fresh eyes like Neil Thomas Douglas did in his recent winning image shot just around the corner from home. Other times, it’s being rewarded for going off the beaten track. The Lous took the latter route with this location and struck gold, framing their couple perfectly in the natural symmetry of the pine trees, the light behind them soft but directional, and the whole scene balanced by the wide-open calm of the Lough.

This is a masterclass in environmental portraiture, choosing a location that not only looks spectacular but supports the tone of the image. The trees act like natural pillars, drawing our eye down to the couple. There’s enough contrast to separate them from the background but not so much that the environment loses its power. Technically, it’s incredibly considered. Note the even exposure across sky, foliage and foreground, not an easy thing to achieve in backlit golden hour.

While this could’ve easily fallen into the trap of ‘pretty view with a couple in it,’ it doesn’t. It’s more than that. It’s romantic without being cheesy, intimate while keeping its sense of place. And that’s what elevates it.