Need some tips....

I am going to shoot some engagement photos for someone soon. However, does anyone have any tips for shooting engagement photos? I have definitely been shooting some really nice shots lately. However, I haven't ever taken photos of people before which makes me a bit nervous. I know that there's no best setting for any photo, however, do you have any tips or recommendations for this? Also, what's the best equipment to have with you? I know I will need a tripod (I know I have asked this before, but I can't remember, what's the best tripod that's under $100?), extra batteries, extra memory cards (what's the best memory card that holds lots of photos and takes good video?), etc. are all needed but what else? How do you get that perfect picture of those two people?

Try the sticky at the top of the forum.

Sounds like you're basically asking how to take a professional photo, gear and shooting advice. Ten years experience will teach you that, not a forum post.

Tripod - nope, not unless you time warp back to 1990. Extra batteries, nope, batteries last ages. Memory cards, maybe, engagement shoots are only an hour. Sandisk are a good brand, you probably don't need extreme, ultra are fine.

The things you should really be worrying about are:
- Location, taking into account the light at the time, and backgrounds. Think about lens lengths, whether you want wide or long lenses, that changes how much of the background you see.
- Lighting the couple. Off camera is good, but probably not at your apparent experience level.
- Creating a rapport with the couple, making them trust you, confident in you, and comfortable around you. This is crucial.
- Posing, though formal posing isn't done much any more, posing is more casual and loose these days.

Good luck.

ColbyL wrote in post #16174467
I have definitely been shooting some really nice shots lately.

What body and shooting mode have you been using for these shots?


Without knowing what body you are using or how you are shooting, it is really hard to make a suggestion.

Also, if you can post some of your most recent shots, we might be able to offer some additional advice.

I'm a little late here but if you type in engagement photo poses in the google (or any browser) search engine you will get ton's of ideas. The problem is trying to remember them when the time comes. I found that the hardest part when I did my first few.