Asked to do engagement photos

[tbsguy18]

My sister-in-law has a friend who is getting married. Her and her husband are trying to do everything on the cheap wherever they can (spending all the money on the honeymoon), so my sister-in-law suggested me as the one to do their engagement photos. I've only been seriously doing this for the last 6 or 7 months, but I do have the knowledge. I've taken classes, studied lighting, been on a couple shoots with a professional, etc...

I've been doing a lot of portraits for friends, family, their kids, etc...just to get better at it and build up my skills and everything. I know I'm not ready for something as high profile as an actual wedding, but engagement photos I think I can handle. Still, I'm nervous, as this will be the first time I'm doing any "real work". The couple is aware of my skill level and everything, and like what they have seen, but I was hoping to get some advice on what I should do? Thanks!

[Brian Parkes]

Plan it,shoot it, learn from your mistakes. It's worked for me for the last 10 years!

[JacobPhoto]

Ask them to give you 3 to 5 examples of engagement photos that they like. Then break down how those images were shot technically, and implement those ideas and concepts into your shoot.

[ShotgunPhotography]

Originally Posted by Brian Parkes

Plan it,shoot it, learn from your mistakes.

This.

And to add

1.) Figure out YOUR style, how you would like the pictures to look in your portfolio (if you plan to go pro in the future)

2.) Be UP FRONT from the get go. "I am new, this may require a re-shoot, etc..."

[Chris]

I've only done two engagement shoots so far, and what I've noticed to be the most important is creating an image that show the couple's connection to each other. When you create an image that undeniably shows their love for each other, then you have a winner.

In both of the shoots I did, the image that each couple picked for their "save the date" announcement, had this attribute in common.

Here's an example:

[tbsguy18]

Thanks for all the advice! Its really helped and made me feel better about the whole thing. I'm going to roll all of this advice into one and see where i end up. Thanks again!

[PeaceFire]

Do it. Portrait sessions can be reshot if the couple isn't happy. Just go, take lots of pictures, try different poses, and have fun with it. Consider it a learning experience and actually try to learn from it!

[tbsguy18]

Sounds like I'm just going to do it, have fun, and learn from my mistakes. Thanks everyone!

[winam]

Just enter engagement shots to google, you'll find some usefull stuff and even example shots to get more ideas.