First ever engagement shots

While no money was exchanged (they bought us lunch), this was the first time I had ever shot photos for someone and for a reason other than my own enjoyment. My wife was taking engagement shots for her sister so I tagged along for help and advice and to practice taking shots of my own.

Here are four of my favorites. Its great to be able to capture the love and affection two people share and while I would be a long way from doing this a a job, I was definitely bitten by the bug and would love to bring this kind of happiness to others one day. As always, I'd love to hear comments both good and bad.

1.

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the flying moose wrote in post #14466473
they bought us lunch

Said lunch should have been removed from the frame for #3 and 4.

rpaul wrote in post #14466503
Said lunch should have been removed from the frame for #3 and 4.

Those were left in on purpose. Both are avid Starbucks drinkers and they wanted them left in as that is kind of "their thing" that they will often do.

gotta pay better attention to your surroundings... the fence and whatever that black thing in the BG of #1 ruins the photo immediately. the skin tones in 2 & 3 are VERY yellow as well - i would stick with the editing done in 1 & 4.

also, you have to think about your posing. you need to think of ways to flatter the couple, no matter how they look. These photos, with them sitting and slouching do them no favors. to be totally honest, none of these photos do anything for me.

your technique needs quite a bit of work. maybe practice with some friends whenever you have free time to get some experience shooting people and experimenting with poses that flatter.

good luck, and keep shooting!

Can you share some of your wife's photos from the session?

For you just tagging along taking pics, not too bad. Obviously there is room for improvement like others have stated. The bug of photography is catchy, glad you caught it, now to just improve and you will love it even more.

Thank you for sharing and keep on shooting!

p27rpy wrote in post #14466578
gotta pay better attention to your surroundings... the fence and whatever that black thing in the BG of #1 ruins the photo immediately. the skin tones in 2 & 3 are VERY yellow as well - i would stick with the editing done in 1 & 4.

also, you have to think about your posing. you need to think of ways to flatter the couple, no matter how they look. These photos, with them sitting and slouching do them no favors. to be totally honest, none of these photos do anything for me.

your technique needs quite a bit of work. maybe practice with some friends whenever you have free time to get some experience shooting people and experimenting with poses that flatter.

good luck, and keep shooting!

Thanks for the criticism. None of the locations and poses were my idea and believe me we tried to get them to go to more "photogenic" locations but she is 7 months pregnant and has a hard time doing longer walks so we had to make due with they wanted. Also, I agree with the tones and stuff but again this is what they liked and as long as they are happy then its not about me.

You are exactly right, if the couple is happy you succeeded! My favorite is #2 though.

Keep at it!

Editing in #2 especially doesn't do any favors. It makes their skin look splotchy. If you're going to leave it like that, at least do some skin perfection in post processing.

I agree about the unflattering poses.
And while ultimately, the client is the most important, you'll never improve that way.

Thanks for the comments and criticisms all. It's all much appreciated and I will use it to improve.

the flying moose wrote in post #14466673
Thanks for the criticism. None of the locations and poses were my idea and believe me we tried to get them to go to more "photogenic" locations but she is 7 months pregnant and has a hard time doing longer walks so we had to make due with they wanted. Also, I agree with the tones and stuff but again this is what they liked and as long as they are happy then its not about me.

I see where you're coming from, but I still don't buy that you couldn't have simply turned them around or re-positioned yourself so that ugly fence wasn't in the background. It is ultimately about the client, but using that as an excuse for lackluster photos will never allow you to improve.

#1 The fence is a distraction and the pose a bit awkward
#2 Not a fan of the post processing. The light is a bit harsh
#3 I like this one the best. The processing and drink drops it a notch or two for me.
#4 A bit overboard on the skin smoothing. The drink is a distraction and the pose does not work. The light is too harsh.

Just my opinion.

p27rpy wrote in post #14469220
I see where you're coming from, but I still don't buy that you couldn't have simply turned them around or re-positioned yourself so that ugly fence wasn't in the background. It is ultimately about the client, but using that as an excuse for lackluster photos will never allow you to improve.

It was the edge of a steep cutbank and there was no way to get that shot without the fence. The way I took that shot was balanced slightly over the edge. Technically, we aren't even supposed to go past the fence.

I understand where you are coming from. Although, they liked the pics, I am not that happy with the locations and all that. I will take the advice and find people who I can try poses with for practice.

Thank you all for the continued comments. I really appreciate the tips and help.

Looking over the photos and seeing your responses it doesn't sound like you're hearig the feedback.

As for direct feedback, the Starbucks cups could have been incorporated with them drinking, cheers'ing, etc, on the ground in that spot looks out of place.

Either way, keep shooting and learning, we all started from somewhere and style/art is subjective.

synapxe wrote in post #14470788
Looking over the photos and seeing your responses it doesn't sound like you're hearig the feedback.

As for direct feedback, the Starbucks cups could have been incorporated with them drinking, cheers'ing, etc, on the ground in that spot looks out of place.

Either way, keep shooting and learning, we all started from somewhere and style/art is subjective.

Thanks. I am trying. Its been a lot to process but I am taking what everyone has been nice enough to comment on and I will try and incorporate that into future shots.

Those are good ideas to do with the cups if I take shots with someone like that again.