Unhappy E-Session

Today word got back to me that this couple was unhappy with there engagment session from me. I'm gunna need some c and c thanks. Shot with 5dm2 70-200 mostly

I think I would be unhappy as well.

1 - Out of focus, looks a tad overexposed. Background is bright and distracting on the right through the leaves which themselves are a bit distracting.

2 - Out of focus. Pose doesn't look all that good. The guy has an odd expression and isn't even looking at the camera or the girl. Random hand rail in the corner. Composition I don't like.

3 - Completely out of focus, probably shouldn't have even given them this photo. Delete it.

4 - Out of focus. Her shirt is a bit overexposed. The pose isn't too bad and decent expressions. Distractions in the background with bright areas on the right.

5 - Not too bad but the guys arm looks awkward like that.

6 - She's not looking at the camera. Dress and areas in the background are a bit hot.

7 - I like this one except for the brighter background. Good light on the couple but as the background is brighter it's taking attention away.

8 - Don't particularly care for the pose and again a swath of bright area behind them. Why does the guy have his arm up on the opposite side of the girl?

As above really I'm afraid on these. Focus has definitely been missed on a lot of these. I would offer a re shoot if you are confident you can nail it. Or a refund.

Numenorean wrote in post #17216719
I think I would be unhappy as well.

1 - Out of focus, looks a tad overexposed. Background is bright and distracting on the right through the leaves which themselves are a bit distracting.

2 - Out of focus. Pose doesn't look all that good. The guy has an odd expression and isn't even looking at the camera or the girl. Random hand rail in the corner. Composition I don't like.

3 - Completely out of focus, probably shouldn't have even given them this photo. Delete it.

4 - Out of focus. Her shirt is a bit overexposed. The pose isn't too bad and decent expressions. Distractions in the background with bright areas on the right.

5 - Not too bad but the guys arm looks awkward like that.

6 - She's not looking at the camera. Dress and areas in the background are a bit hot.

7 - I like this one except for the brighter background. Good light on the couple but as the background is brighter it's taking attention away.

8 - Don't particularly care for the pose and again a swath of bright area behind them. Why does the guy have his arm up on the opposite side of the girl?

Great feedback. Makes a lot of sense. I didnt even do the shoot and I got alot from the post.

Warm the images slightly and remove the color green color cast will help along with the other suggestions.

Missed focus in most and WB all over the place.

Why would you include 3 in what you gave them? That shouldn't have made it past culling.

WB correction and a little sharpening might make the difference between "unhappy with" and "happy with" on some of these. But ask the unhappy couple for their C&C. POTN folks tend to give technical comments. The couple's complaints could be more like "Why didn't you tell me to comb my hair?"

OhLook wrote in post #17217096
WB correction and a little sharpening might make the difference between "unhappy with" and "happy with" on some of these. But ask the unhappy couple for their C&C. POTN folks tend to give technical comments. The couple's complaints could be more like "Why didn't you tell me to comb my hair?"

Yea apparently she is self-conscious about her nose and is unhappy with them bc of that...

Numenorean wrote in post #17216719
I think I would be unhappy as well.

1 - Out of focus, looks a tad overexposed. Background is bright and distracting on the right through the leaves which themselves are a bit distracting.

2 - Out of focus. Pose doesn't look all that good. The guy has an odd expression and isn't even looking at the camera or the girl. Random hand rail in the corner. Composition I don't like.

3 - Completely out of focus, probably shouldn't have even given them this photo. Delete it.

4 - Out of focus. Her shirt is a bit overexposed. The pose isn't too bad and decent expressions. Distractions in the background with bright areas on the right.

5 - Not too bad but the guys arm looks awkward like that.

6 - She's not looking at the camera. Dress and areas in the background are a bit hot.

7 - I like this one except for the brighter background. Good light on the couple but as the background is brighter it's taking attention away.

8 - Don't particularly care for the pose and again a swath of bright area behind them. Why does the guy have his arm up on the opposite side of the girl?

Thanks good c and c

Generally speaking, you included some shots that were technically flawed, as others have pointed out. One problem in a lot of wedding situations is that the participants have a mental image of themselves that is quite removed from what the camera captures. So you need to be on top of your game and not show them inferior shots. Did you ask them beforehand what kind of shots they were seeking?

joedlh wrote in post #17217145
Generally speaking, you included some shots that were technically flawed, as others have pointed out. One problem in a lot of wedding situations is that the participants have a mental image of themselves that is quite removed from what the camera captures. So you need to be on top of your game and not show them inferior shots. Did you ask them beforehand what kind of shots they were seeking?

Obviously I should have haha

If they aren't ecstatic with how they look in the photos, regardless of how you did technically, they'll nit pick everything they can. You can't change their physical features, but you work on making couples feel at ease, natural and emotional, unless you advertise otherwise.

Like others have said, the missed focus shots should have never made the cut. Most couples aren't aware of White Balance, so they'll let a lot slide, as long as they don't look like The Hulk. Your highlights are a bit hot, but not unusable by any means.

If these are the best of the shoot, then I might offer to re-shoot.

She has a lovely nose!
Makes me sad that she feels that bad about her nose to the point where she hates all the photos.. she's beautiful

I agree with some of the above. Some is a bit subjective and nit picky. I too, suspect some of the unhappiness goes beyond technical issues. I viewed your FB galleries. These are a little bit below par compared with your other work. Make it right. Communicate with them. Find out their specific issues and challenges. Charge this up to PR, Marketing and training towards future clients.

Number 7 is great.

They are a bit greeny and cool. Try warming them up and put some purple tint in it. Also try not to fill your frame with the subjects. Take in the background