My 1st E-Session

I did my very 1st engagement shoot on Saturday. A friend of mine asked me to shoot some photos of her daughter & her daughter's fiance. I still have a lot to learn but I think overall these turned out pretty good. I don't do a lot of editing so what you see is just some basic PP. C&C welcomed.
1.

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I really like the locations, just watch the harsh shadows like the one on #1 on his forehead and the shadows from the lighting on #2. Other than that I like em. Even though he doesn't look very happy to be there!

ShoePhoto wrote in post #12337138
I really like the locations, just watch the harsh shadows like the one on #1 on his forehead and the shadows from the lighting on #2. Other than that I like em. Even though he doesn't look very happy to be there!

Thank you! Yeah I noticed the shadows too & no he wasn't happy to be there. I tried really hard to get him to smile but he just wouldn't.

Generally speaking, I am not too crazy about the guy's expression in most of these photos. That said, here's my take...

#1. Lighting isn't that great and the subjects are underexposed.

#2. Harsh lighting. Not crazy about the posing.

#3. I think this one is the best b/c the guy has a smile and the exposure/lighting looks better.

#4. The glare off the guy's face bothers me as does is his expression. She seems "guarded" with her pose.

#5. White Balance is off and her face is half way hidden.

The guy looks like he'd rather be dead than have anyone ever see these photos. As the photographer it's our job to encourage the models to show some emotion. Practice talking with the couple to get them more relaxed. If the guy is really not into it, try asking him to whisper something naughty in her ear and capture the reaction. That usually makes the guys smile.

wizcreations wrote in post #12339143
The guy looks like he'd rather be dead than have anyone ever see these photos. As the photographer it's our job to encourage the models to show some emotion. Practice talking with the couple to get them more relaxed. If the guy is really not into it, try asking him to whisper something naughty in her ear and capture the reaction. That usually makes the guys smile.

The girl is actually my friends daughter so they were comfortable around me. I did tell them to try whispering stuff to each other but I guess he just didn't want to do that. He's really just a very quiet kinda guy & just doesn't smile often. The very few times he did I didn't like how any of the shots turned out. She was constantly smiling. I had a hard time getting her to be serious b/c every time she looked @ him she couldn't help but smile.

nicksan wrote in post #12338984
Generally speaking, I am not too crazy about the guy's expression in most of these photos. That said, here's my take...

#1. Lighting isn't that great and the subjects are underexposed.

#2. Harsh lighting. Not crazy about the posing.

#3. I think this one is the best b/c the guy has a smile and the exposure/lighting looks better.

#4. The glare off the guy's face bothers me as does is his expression. She seems "guarded" with her pose.

#5. White Balance is off and her face is half way hidden.

Thanks! I'm still new & this was my 1st time so I just told them to pose how they wanted to. The mother of the bride loves #5 & that actaully is 1 of my favorites except for the WB being off. I like how he is looking @ her & how you can only see part of her face.

Crickett wrote in post #12339181
Thanks! I'm still new & this was my 1st time so I just told them to pose how they wanted to. The mother of the bride loves #5 & that actaully is 1 of my favorites except for the WB being off. I like how he is looking @ her & how you can only see part of her face.

Yeah, it's always a learning process. You just need to take initiative sometimes with some couples though.

wizcreations wrote in post #12339143
The guy looks like he'd rather be dead than have anyone ever see these photos. As the photographer it's our job to encourage the models to show some emotion. Practice talking with the couple to get them more relaxed. If the guy is really not into it, try asking him to whisper something naughty in her ear and capture the reaction. That usually makes the guys smile.

I got the same out of these, guy looks very ehhhh. The first couple of poses look out of place also, it may be a combo of the pose and his lack of emotion but for me it just looks awkward

I'm not going to repeat coments on the technical side of the photos - I agree with them. It's our job as photographers to make our clients comfortable in front of the camera. They trust us, they trust we will make them look beautiful. Good for this man for even agreeing to participate in the engagement photos - he must really love his girl!

I had a couple once where the guy would not smile. And I just told him that if he wasn't comfortable smiling for the camera, not to smile at all instead of giving me fake smiles (of course I say it jokingly! )...but then he realized he can be himself and not work for the camera. He was like a viking (and I told him that!) because he was so serious and so much bigger compaired to his girl. He actually loved this comparison! And what do you know, he gave me the best smiles a bit later, even though it took me a while to warm him up.

What I'm saying is, I know it's your first essession, but you need to learn what to do with your subjects especially those who don't know how to pose - they need guidance from you. Good luck!

#3 is your best. I think you're on your way! Just be careful with lighting, and work a little more with framing a picture/moving your couples around in poses.

On #3, she has the "double" chin from the shot angle.

Svetlana wrote in post #12340273
I'm not going to repeat coments on the technical side of the photos - I agree with them. It's our job as photographers to make our clients comfortable in front of the camera. They trust us, they trust we will make them look beautiful. Good for this man for even agreeing to participate in the engagement photos - he must really love his girl!

I had a couple once where the guy would not smile. And I just told him that if he wasn't comfortable smiling for the camera, not to smile at all instead of giving me fake smiles (of course I say it jokingly! )...but then he realized he can be himself and not work for the camera. He was like a viking (and I told him that!) because he was so serious and so much bigger compaired to his girl. He actually loved this comparison! And what do you know, he gave me the best smiles a bit later, even though it took me a while to warm him up.

What I'm saying is, I know it's your first essession, but you need to learn what to do with your subjects especially those who don't know how to pose - they need guidance from you. Good luck!

Thank you Svetlana! I really appreciate your advice! BTW I love your work!