Need advice - Engagement portraits

[Timm]

I am in need of some guidance and advice on shooting portraits for an engagement.

Basically a friend has 'volunteered' me to take some photos to mark her colleagues engagement based on the fact that I have a camera, some lenses, take what she considers to be 'good' pictures and will be in Dallas in November!

Unfortunately I have never done any people shots as I prefer architectural & macro type subjects on the whole, so if someone could provide some pointers towards the type of shots that are usual for this kind of thing, or even sites/books with tutorials I would be greatful. Alternatively can anyone recommend studios in the UK that do short ( 1/2, 1 or 2 day) courses in basic portrait photography?

My ex also asked me to shoot her wedding on this coming Saturday - but fortunately I have to work so got out of that one by making the wedding cake(s) instead! http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif

[Timm]

BTW, everything has to go from the UK - so big reflectors & lighting rigs are a bit of a non starter http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_confused.gif

[CyberPet]

Check if you can rent some stuff there?

[Timm]

Check if you can rent some stuff there?
That thought had occured - have to get friends to scout some venues too in case there's somewhere outdoors they like, although I don't know what Dallas is like in Nov (hopefully warmer than NYC which killed a camera it was so cold! http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_sad.gif) so that may not even be a consideration... I keep wondering about just offering to do the cake! http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif
Anyone had dealings with any rental outfits in the DFW area?

[fotogeek]

I prefer architectural

I would suggest using your love for Architecture to feed your ideas for the engagement photos. Most of the wedding photogs around here take the couples to the most architectually interesting backgrounds.

Mine were shot in a couple of interesting locations. One was an old brick alley, lined with shops and wrought iron tables and chairs outside of them. He took some wide angle stuff, ended up looking more like an album cover, but still, they were interesting.

Use shade or a nice cloud cover, and just shoot outside. Take them in the afternoon and get some good sunset light too.

Just some thoughts...

BTW... love the doggy avatar. Looks like a Border terrier.

[Timm]

I would suggest using your love for Architecture to feed your ideas for the engagement photos. Most of the wedding photogs around here take the couples to the most architectually interesting backgrounds.
Not something I'd thought of, thanks for that. http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_lol.gif

BTW... love the doggy avatar. Looks like a Border terrier.
Correct - give yourself a Gold Star. http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif He's a 10yr old monster with more tricks to his name than a barrel full of monkeys on a banana boat!