Couples Shoot... Boring?

I recently did a shoot for a couple friends on a whim and i thought the results were really boring and unattractive looking. am i just being too critical? here are 5 out of 20 shots i decided to keep.

c&c or any creative input please. thanks!!

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They're probably not boring to the couple and that's what matters.

i think the 2nd is the most authentic looking the others they looked a little staged

woodworker- true . but from my viewpoint, i don't like to provide services to people especially if i feel it is mediocre (free or not).

bryan- i'll keep that in mind, but i have to ask, how can you tell if it's authentic or not?

From my pure amateur perspective:
1: I'd like to see their feet
3: Need some fill lighting during the shot
5: His expression could be better
I am not addressing post processing considerations. Others can do that much better.

If you want to raise your bar, hang out in the Wedding section for a bit. For me, the Wedding section's premier posters consistently demonstrate what people are willing to pay for. Caution: the bar is quite high.

roosterslayer wrote in post #13046806
woodworker- true . but from my viewpoint, i don't like to provide services to people especially if i feel it is mediocre (free or not).

bryan- i'll keep that in mind, but i have to ask, how can you tell if it's authentic or not?

well first off .. did they put themselves in those poses or was it something u suggested
((in other words am i right).
#1 no one grabs their chin like that
# 3 he is not leaning in with his head or in for a kiss
#4 they are bot looking ate each other and not were they are going
#5 he is again leaning back with his head and not puckering up for a kiss looks awkward

A couple look a little staged/awkward I think improving that area comes with experience. I'm a beginner when it comes to working with subjects which is why I tend not to do any staged photos. Otherwise I think they're pretty good, just a reflector or some fill flash to make em pop.

Bryan Grant Photography wrote in post #13046656
i think the 2nd is the most authentic looking the others they looked a little staged

I love the second one to.

Bryan Grant Photography wrote in post #13047421
well first off .. did they put themselves in those poses or was it something u suggested
((in other words am i right).
#1 no one grabs their chin like that
# 3 he is not leaning in with his head or in for a kiss
#4 they are bot looking ate each other and not were they are going
#5 he is again leaning back with his head and not puckering up for a kiss looks awkward

they did it themselves. i gave them full control of everything. i told them to pose and i would shoot. maybe since we did the shoot on a busy school campus they got nervous the one where my friend is grabbing his chin, they were joking around and i took the photo without telling them. i thought it looked interesting so i threw it in

frankk- thanks for the input. i don't own any flash stuff nor am i too savvy with it. i should start looking into it. also, i'll check out the wedding section too.

thanks for the other suggestions everyone. they've been noted.

edit: another question i wanted to ask was: if this was a shoot for you and your girlfriend/boyfriend, would you be happy with it (assuming you also had a limited knowledge about photography ).

roosterslayer wrote in post #13047988
edit: another question i wanted to ask was: if this was a shoot for you and your girlfriend/boyfriend, would you be happy with it (assuming you also had a limited knowledge about photography ).

Yep.

I like them all.

The second one is awesome, except for that white area in the background.

I like the second the best of the images posted.

I like them all too and I'll bet they will like them as well. I think the last one is best.

I dont find anything "extraordinary" about the shots..... BUT, I think you have managed to show the love that they share. Worth it in the extreme.