Records were being pulled from shelves, sleeves flicked through, music played, and somewhere between it all Sorcha and Ben were laughing at each other. Both local musicians, they couldn’t have been better suited to a couples session in Greville Records, Prahran. They’re playful, funny and completely themselves — the kind of people who will happily run with an idea, make a joke out of it, and see where the afternoon takes them. There was no overthinking it, no trying to make things look perfect. Just the two of them, surrounded by music, messing around and enjoying being together. And that’s exactly what made these photographs feel like them.
Where Music Holds Memories
There’s something different about finding an old record you haven’t heard in years. One sleeve can bring back a song, a place, a person, or a version of yourself you’d almost forgotten about. For Sorcha and Ben, surrounded by stacks of well-loved records, there was plenty of reminiscing — pulling out old favourites, talking about music they grew up with and getting excited when something familiar turned up.
The shop itself had that perfectly imperfect ’90s feel: scuffed floors, battered record sleeves, handwritten price stickers and rows of vinyl packed tightly onto shelves, with that slightly dusty smell of somewhere that has been collecting music for decades. As two local musicians, music is already woven into so much of their lives, so it felt like more than just a cool backdrop. It was a little time capsule — worn-in, nostalgic and full of stories. Watching them wander through the shelves, remembering and sharing those little pieces of the past, made the afternoon feel nostalgic in a way that was completely theirs.
Why I Love Alternative Couples Session Locations
I’ll always have a soft spot for a beautiful gardens at golden hour, but there’s something about an unexpected location that gets me every time.
A record store has a completely different visual language to a garden. A little vintage shop gives us textures, colour and clutter. A city arcade brings movement and neon. A cosy bookstore gives us somewhere to linger. These places have personality before we even arrive, which means the photographs start with something that already feels interesting.
More importantly, they tell us something about you. The places you spend your time, the things you collect, the music you listen to, the coffee shop you always end up in — these little pieces of your everyday life can become part of your photographs. Years from now, you might not remember exactly what we did for every photograph, but you’ll remember walking through that record store together, finding an old favourite and laughing about something completely unrelated to the camera.
That’s why I’d much rather photograph you somewhere that feels like your world than put you somewhere beautiful simply because it photographs well.
A Date That Feels Like You
Your couples session doesn’t have to be a photoshoot disguised as a date. It can actually just be a date — something you’d choose to do together even if there wasn’t a camera there.
For Sorcha and Ben, that meant spending an afternoon surrounded by records, getting distracted by old favourites, talking about music and generally mucking around together. For someone else, it might be coffee and a walk through the city, hunting for vintage treasures, going to an arcade, wandering through a bookshop, grabbing takeaway and sitting by the river, or driving somewhere with no real plan.
I love when couples bring me into the things that already feel like them. It takes away the pressure to perform for the camera and gives us something real to photograph. You’re not trying to manufacture chemistry because you’re already doing something you enjoy together — I’m just there to notice it.
Cinematic couples photography inspired by your story
My photography is inspired by romance films, nostalgic novels and the beauty found in everyday moments.
Rather than directing every pose, I offer gentle prompts that encourage natural movement and genuine interaction. The result is a gallery that feels cinematic without feeling overly posed. Images filled with laughter, quiet glances and the little details that make your relationship uniquely yours.
What to Expect From a Melbourne Couples Photography Session
You don’t need to know how to pose or have any modelling experience — just come as you are! Before your session, we’ll chat about what you love doing together and find a Melbourne location that feels right, whether that’s the city, Dandenong Ranges, Mornington Peninsula or somewhere completely unexpected.
During your session, I’ll guide you with natural prompts and movement rather than stiff poses, giving you space to wander, laugh and enjoy being together. The goal is simple: cinematic, nostalgic photographs that feel like your relationship, not a performance for the camera.
Dreaming of a Date-Inspired Couples Session?
Your session doesn't have to look like anyone else's. Choose somewhere that feels like home, spend an afternoon doing something you genuinely love together, and I'll quietly document it as it unfolds. If you're looking for a Melbourne couples photographer who believes the best photographs come from simply being together, I'd love to help tell your story.
Whether you’re planning an engagement session, celebrating an anniversary, or simply want photographs of the two of you as you are now, I approach every session with the same focus on making it relaxed, personal and completely your own.
If you’re looking for couples photography in Melbourne that feels more like an experience than a traditional photoshoot, you can find out more about my couples sessions here.
And if you’re looking for inspiration for your next date, have a look at my unique date ideas in Melbourne — there might be somewhere there that becomes the setting for your own session!
The Story in Full
S & B's record store date in Prahran, Melbourne, Australia
A few more moments from this lovely day.
FAQ
Where can we have a couples photography session in Melbourne?
Pretty much anywhere that feels like you. Melbourne has everything from city streets and hidden laneways to the Dandenong Ranges, Mornington Peninsula, beaches, cafés, bookstores and quirky local spots like record stores. We can choose somewhere meaningful to you or find a location that suits the mood you’re after.
We feel awkward in front of the camera. Will you tell us what to do?
Of course. You don't need any modelling experience or know how to pose. I'll gently guide you when you need it, but the focus is never on performing for the camera. Instead, I'll encourage you to interact naturally, giving you space to laugh, talk, wander, and simply enjoy being together while I quietly document everything as it unfolds.
How long does a couples session take?
Most sessions run between one and three hours. One hour is perfect for an intimate session focused on couple portraits, while two-three hours gives us more time to explore the location, try different setups and really settle into a relaxed rhythm - which almost always produces the best images.
What should we wear for a record store couples photoshoot?
Wear something that feels comfortable and reflects your style. For a cinematic, nostalgic look, textures and layers work beautifully: vintage denim, worn-in leather, knitwear, boots, flowing skirts, band tees, oversized jackets or anything with a little character. Earthy, muted or deeper tones tend to photograph beautifully too, especially against Melbourne’s city streets, coastal landscapes and greenery.
If you're still exploring, here are a few helpful places to get a feel for how I work:
