I was hoping for some pointers, some friends of mine have asked me to shoot some engagement photos for them - any tips for a good session?? I am literally only about a month and a half into taking shots with my DSLR, so i feel a little out of my "comfort zone".
I don't have any advice but I was just asked to shoot a friends wedding! I am also only a month and a half into shooting with my DSLR so would love to hear the advice people give you! :)
@rossco088 Hey Ross, I've done this exactly twice--which does not make me an expert at all... things I've learned: shadows can fall in strange places resulting in raccoon eyes and weird patterns. Overcast days are better, evenings and early mornings are nice golden hues, just make sure there is shade if the light is directly in their face. If they start getting nervous or continuously look at you, don't be afraid to "jog" their memories. Ask them about their first date, first kiss, and when they knew they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together. Also make jokes...laughing photos are nice to add. The entire shoot is about their relationship with each other, so keep that in mind and try to get even shots of both. Oh, and base your location, props, and poses on what will reflect the personality of the couple. Go to the location at the time your planning on shooting the couple and do some preshots. Pay attention to the light and what settings you are using, this will give you a jump off point for exposure when you do meet up with them. You'll still have to adjust, but maybe not as much. (Oh and most importantly, don't be afraid to look at the LCD screen after the first shot just in case you need to make a few adjustments to white balance, exposure, pose, and composition/framing.) Hope that is helpful, as I said, I've only done this twice so my experience is limited. @daniellestarr same goes girl... good luck to the both of you.
@hellcat - thanks for the advice and tips. We ended deciding on a simple plan of attack - do the "shoot" is a series of three outings, that way I have the best opportunity to make sure I capture some good images.
Having just finished our first outing the biggest thing that I'm struggling with seems to be my subjects:
1 - getting them to keep their eyes open
2 - establishing natural poses (i.e. not static and ackward)
3 - getting them to not lean back away from the camera
@rossco088 If they are leaning back then they are feeling a little uncomfortable with something... more than likely a camera. :) Find a special treat that they can share (ice cream cone, cotton candy, etc...) that will keep them occupied on that for a moment... get close and shoot. Those may end up throw outs but they will get used to having you in their space while doing something that most people don't want to have photographed. If you are using a park setting, try a picnic blanket and whatever delectables to get them relaxed.
For the eyes, you can ask them to close their eyes, have them imagine something then when you tell them to open their eyes (or it may happen spontaneously, so be ready) take the picture. You can also have them look into each other's eyes and then reposition yourself to where you get them with their eyes opened.
Are you using any props? I find that starting with props helps them keep their hands busy and their minds on not dropping it or playing with it... which gets their mind off of you. (Building comfort and hopefully helping them not lean away from the camera.)
Natural poses depends on your couple... if they are feeling somewhat camera shy, you might want to try to incorporate that into the shot. Take more intimate shots then. If they are more extroverted you could have them playing with one another, running down a street (or park) etc. It sounds like you have your locales picked out, so you may have to work with what is around you and get creative. Just make sure their hands are not hanging by their sides... Static poses are in body positioning. Having one leg forward and shoulders not squared off can project ease as well as initial movement.
Leaning backwards and natural poses are mostly a comfort issue. They will fall into what is natural for them once they are comfortable. Then you just need to tweak it. If it is an energetic atmosphere, keep your own attitude in that frame. They'll feed off of what you project at them.
The advantage to doing it over three locales/sessions is that each time they are going to build more confidence in you and themselves. Bring a photo (just one) from the previous shoot and tell her she looks great. Boost their confidence.
Looking through advertisements and other engagement shots can give you an idea for posing, but all of it will have to be tweaked (or found) that fits their personalities or their body structures. (If one is seriously shorter than the other, you may have to tweak the pose to make it work, otherwise it is off balance. Same goes with weight.)
I'm sorry I don't have definite answers for you. As I said, I've only done two, and each had distinctive personalities as couples as well as individuals. There were times that it took a lot of coaching and coaxing to get them relaxed, and the right shots, but in the end it's worth it. They'll have these images forever. Again, I'm sorry if this isn't too helpful. It just really depends on who your working with.
Good luck. I like the idea of three sessions and wish I had thought of that for this last go round. She was really uncomfortable.
@hellcat - thanks for the tips, it should be great help.
I really like the idea of props and I think they'll really help for the next shoot.
I hate to admit this but the "squared off" shoulder (straight on to the camera) is my big pet-peeve. I have no idea why people think that they should stand like they're at attention for a photo. Sounds like you know my pain though.
Thanks again - I'll post a shot of the first shoot when I get a chance.
@rossco088 definitely find me. I would love to see it. (I have one posted to my 365 with the couples permission...but it is a detail shot. She brought an umbrella for her "favorite accessory" item. :) )
Squared off shoulders have their place... just not typically. :) (I'm not a fan either, but tend to do it when people photograph me. lol. Like a dear frozen in headlights!)
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Having just finished our first outing the biggest thing that I'm struggling with seems to be my subjects:
1 - getting them to keep their eyes open
2 - establishing natural poses (i.e. not static and ackward)
3 - getting them to not lean back away from the camera
Any tips ?
For the eyes, you can ask them to close their eyes, have them imagine something then when you tell them to open their eyes (or it may happen spontaneously, so be ready) take the picture. You can also have them look into each other's eyes and then reposition yourself to where you get them with their eyes opened.
Are you using any props? I find that starting with props helps them keep their hands busy and their minds on not dropping it or playing with it... which gets their mind off of you. (Building comfort and hopefully helping them not lean away from the camera.)
Natural poses depends on your couple... if they are feeling somewhat camera shy, you might want to try to incorporate that into the shot. Take more intimate shots then. If they are more extroverted you could have them playing with one another, running down a street (or park) etc. It sounds like you have your locales picked out, so you may have to work with what is around you and get creative. Just make sure their hands are not hanging by their sides... Static poses are in body positioning. Having one leg forward and shoulders not squared off can project ease as well as initial movement.
Leaning backwards and natural poses are mostly a comfort issue. They will fall into what is natural for them once they are comfortable. Then you just need to tweak it. If it is an energetic atmosphere, keep your own attitude in that frame. They'll feed off of what you project at them.
The advantage to doing it over three locales/sessions is that each time they are going to build more confidence in you and themselves. Bring a photo (just one) from the previous shoot and tell her she looks great. Boost their confidence.
Looking through advertisements and other engagement shots can give you an idea for posing, but all of it will have to be tweaked (or found) that fits their personalities or their body structures. (If one is seriously shorter than the other, you may have to tweak the pose to make it work, otherwise it is off balance. Same goes with weight.)
I'm sorry I don't have definite answers for you. As I said, I've only done two, and each had distinctive personalities as couples as well as individuals. There were times that it took a lot of coaching and coaxing to get them relaxed, and the right shots, but in the end it's worth it. They'll have these images forever. Again, I'm sorry if this isn't too helpful. It just really depends on who your working with.
Good luck. I like the idea of three sessions and wish I had thought of that for this last go round. She was really uncomfortable.
I really like the idea of props and I think they'll really help for the next shoot.
I hate to admit this but the "squared off" shoulder (straight on to the camera) is my big pet-peeve. I have no idea why people think that they should stand like they're at attention for a photo. Sounds like you know my pain though.
Thanks again - I'll post a shot of the first shoot when I get a chance.
Squared off shoulders have their place... just not typically. :) (I'm not a fan either, but tend to do it when people photograph me. lol. Like a dear frozen in headlights!)