Irish & Gordon | Rome Engagement Photography
October 10th, 2026
Before Irish & Gordon’s incredible wedding day in Tuscany (which you can read about here), we made the most of being in Italy and set out early one morning to capture some seriously stunning sunrise portraits around Rome. From the Trevi Fountain to the Spanish Steps, with a well-earned espresso to finish, the shoot was exciting, stylish and the perfect way to warm up before the big day.
Rome at sunrise is a different city. The light is soft, the streets are quiet, and you get places like the Trevi Fountain almost to yourselves, which makes for much more relaxed, natural photos. If you’re planning a Rome engagement shoot or a pre-wedding session before a destination wedding in Italy, an early start is well worth it.
In summer this also helps avoid the heat as temperatures can already begin to soar by the early AM.
After our start at the fountain we walked the streets finding some unique angles and playing with all the gorgeous architecture. Even having some brief chats with some like Carabinieri (similar to the police) who were curious what we were doing up so early.
Soon we arrived at the Spanish Steps. Like most big cities, there is always something happening in Rome, especially in the Summer. Crowds were already forming around the fountains here even so early in the morning. Lucky for us though the steps themselves were fairly empty and with so much space there, it was easy to find some perfect angels and take our time as we made our way up to the top in search of some views over the city skyline.
The view from the top of the Spanish steps is stunning, so we made sure to spend some time taking it all in before heading off in search of some good espresso.
I also captured some 35mm film frames throughout the shoot as well. I always love the nostalgic and candid vibe these shots bring and they always end up being some of my favourite. I hope you enjoyed this read through and a look at some of my favourites from their engagement gallery.
Are you dreaming of your own pre-wedding session, or wedding in Italy (or anywhere else in the world)? I’d love to be part of it. Say hello here and let’s chat!
