My First Engagement Session

[derick76]

Yesterday I had my first engagement session, for all the shots I used a Rebel XT w/ Tamron 28-75 2.8 lens. I'd like to have some feedback if ya'll don't mind. I shot all the shots in RAW format. I really appreciate any advice you can offer. Thanks

http://www.photoreflect.com/scripts/prsm.dll?eventthumbs?event=0F0M001M

[tim]

I only looked at the thumbnails, there are more to look at than I have time for. First impression is they all look more or less the same, and the couple don't look like they like each other at all. I think you need to look at lots of engagement and wedding shots to get an idea of what works.

You might get better feedback if you post a half dozen images on the thread rather than linking to a whole bunch of images.

[tim]

Ok, something more constructive. Pay attention to the way people are looking, if they're meant to be looking at the camera make sure they are. In an engagement session they shouldn't be looking at the camera and smiling, they should forget about the camera and be how they are with each other, express how they feel. It's your job to stay out of the way and capture it.

[SuzyView]

I also think you need to get closer to the subjects. They are the focus, not the background. I think putting the people in context is important, but it's an engagement shot, they should be oozing with love and admiration for each other. Sharp pictures, but hope you took a lot of different poses.

[rlhphotos]

Id say get in closer and get more emotion, I had the same issues with my first shoot. Trust me I know what you went through on that as my first shoot wasnt all that long ago, you need a couple for the paper but otherwise you need to get them to ask like youre not there, I find being as goofy as possible makes them loosen up and act like they are just around friends, this helps to capture more "real" moments. Not that Im an expert but this is what Ive learned in my recent endeavours

[neil_r]

I really think you need to revisit this shoot. They are too far away, the first group of shots look like pictures of a bridge that just happens to have a couple of people on it. Also as Tim has pointed out make sure they are looking at something, the camera, each other or even the same place on the horizon. Be careful and look for shadows, in many the person in front is casting big shadows on the person behind. Take care with your horizons many of these pictures could do with a rotation to straighten them up and lastly, and I know this was out of your control but you can offer advice, the colours of the clothes they are wearing do not sit well together.

[derick76]

Thanks, I need to crop some of these to bring the couple in closer, I clearly see that now, I will try and post some larger sized images for review when I can find the time. I appreciate the input from everyone that responded.

[Sharyn1983]

sounds kinda rude, but I "yell" at people for looking at me. I don't want them to even look at the camera. I want them completely engrossed in each other. Isn't that the purpose of engagement shots? It is very very untraditional but it gets absolutely amazing shots. I will post some soon so you can see. Also zoom lenses work so you can stay farther away and intrude less. It is harder to forget that a photographer is around if they are shooting your nose hairs. Assistants are good because people can only look at one photographer at a time. And it is always the "main" photographer. When I worked as an assistant my boss relied on me heavily for the candid shots, or shots inbetween poses when people let down their guard for a second. They just didn't notice me.
(I don't really yell at them, it is more like joking yelling)

[delhi]

To me it's just some shots taken at the park. The poses are very similar thus making them repetitive. I didn't see any impact on any of the shots vs others I've seen on this forum. It would be a good idea to check out the many samples before undertaking this again for future references and ideas. Cheers!