Advice Please - engagement shoot

I've been privilaged with a couple wanting me to do an "engagement shoot".

I'm wondering; besides just some warm and affectionate photos of the happy couple, how can I accomplish, errr, "something wonderful".

I look at wedding albums and some are just pictures of what happened while others capture the essence. Like this guy's stuff. He somehow captures personality, not just some traditional poses.

So; I meet them at someplace photogenic like a botanic garden, rocky beach, or old church. I haul out a good lens and my flash. Now what?

Do I say "don't mind me, just enjoy this place together and let me photo" and procede to snap 2 - 300 shots hoping to get lucky, or do I say "now pose just like this, look over there, bend that elbow, get closer, now hold". Or; a combination of the two.

In other words; do you get better results being the spectator or being a participant and part of the energy?

I've read a couple of portriat books but still struggle. Obviously; it's all theory still. I haven't done it enough.

I should mention that it's a free service, but I'm building a portfolio so really want to get some knockout stuff.

Thank you!

IMO, its in the middle, the personality won't come out with posed shots, but they need direction. Give them some ideas, and let them get into it. talking with them and keeping things light and funny is always easy.

Joe B is certianly some one to look up to.

Try looking at Jessica Stricland's engagement photos on her blog, I think she's the best for e-sessions right now.

Joe has a gift, experience, a way with people, and an eye for photographer. Just get those four things and you're set

Well, here's where doing photojournalism has helped me-bore them as much as possible.:p What you do is, make sure they have nothing planned for the rest of the day. You never want to be rushed, especially in your first cases.

What you do is set up posed stuff, but take it slow. People usually make mistakes, laugh it off and you get "unplanned moments."

For example:

grego wrote in post #2453554
Well, here's where doing photojournalism has helped me-bore them as much as possible.:p What you do is, make sure they have nothing planned for the rest of the day. You never want to be rushed, especially in your first cases.

What you do is set up posed stuff, but take it slow. People usually make mistakes, laugh it off and you get "unplanned moments."
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Thanks so much.

Here's one attempt I made, it just looked sooo contrived. I looked it over for an hour to see what went wrong (besides not knowing how to make more of the backdrop and angles).

It struck me that the guy absolutely resisted interacting with the camera (and therefore me) and was a little nervous and out-of-sorts with being photographed. The photos of him interacting with her seemed much better. Am I wrong here?

Since I don't have the magical personality some people posess (if I try forcing myself to warm to someone who's cool to me it comes off as phony and just adds to the tension), I was thinking I'd be better off directing them to interact with each other and ignore the camera, ergo my post.

Maybe your advice to spend much more time and take it slower will work.

New question: Do you find directing them to interact with one another more successful than looking at the camera?

I'm guessing the answer depends greatly on the subject and how well they respond. If this is true; do you find it better to have them do things that don't involve camera interaction first, as an ice breaker?

coreypolis wrote in post #2453002
IMO, its in the middle, the personality won't come out with posed shots, but they need direction. Give them some ideas, and let them get into it. talking with them and keeping things light and funny is always easy.

Right on! It is kind of different with each couple as to how much interaction they require and some people will feel more comfortable with you helping them out and telling them what to do and some people will be bothered by it so they're better left alone.

I usually start by having them sit somewhere and then do my best to disappear. I think the majority feel better not knowing I'm around...hmmm...maybe that says something about me! lol...

Also, be sure to have fun with it yourself and don't feel trapped into going to a certain spot. One of my favorite shoots was when we did a few typical shots and then went came downtown for some night pics and just kinda went with whatever happened.

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I like to sit down & talk with the model(s) before starting. Get them relaxed and to feel comfortable with you.

Some require more directing, others not as much. You'll notice which type they are. Also, if you have plenty of time you'll find they'll relax more the longer you keep going.

Maybe take some silly & fun shots inbetween to lighten the mood. Have fun, experiment, crack stupid jokes & observe them.

still one of my favorites! I caught them laughing!

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DAVIDJAY wrote in post #2456036
Right on! It is kind of different with each couple as to how much interaction they require and some people will feel more comfortable with you helping them out and telling them what to do and some people will be bothered by it so they're better left alone.

I usually start by having them sit somewhere and then do my best to disappear. I think the majority feel better not knowing I'm around...hmmm...maybe that says something about me! lol...

Also, be sure to have fun with it yourself and don't feel trapped into going to a certain spot. One of my favorite shoots was when we did a few typical shots and then went came downtown for some night pics and just kinda went with whatever happened.

David (Mr. ShowitWeb himself!), thanks for the quick response. Your image answered my question.

Now, I just know that you have that explosive personality (not to mention reputation) that puts anyone at ease. Yet you choose to snipe it from a distance.

My session was using a 50 f1.4 on 20D, so that put me pretty close and "in your face". It's a question of style, and I'm still finding mine.

So; there's a big difference between this (cropped from that 50mm session):

Claire wrote in post #2456175
I like to sit down & talk with the model(s) before starting. Get them relaxed and to feel comfortable with you.

Some require more directing, others not as much. You'll notice which type they are. Also, if you have plenty of time you'll find they'll relax more the longer you keep going.

Maybe take some silly & fun shots inbetween to lighten the mood. Have fun, experiment, crack stupid jokes & observe them.

Ha ha, sometimes I take this to new levels - replace "stupid" with "corny" that is.

Ummmm, observe? Maybe I'm the one who was too tense to do that properly (not to mention being contageous). Maybe I should ask myself what would calm me. A game plan, some creative ideas, a bag of tricks for smoothing out the personality, an idea of what I want, some time, willingness to deviate and catch the magic the moment it happens (and not interfere). Haha, maybe a stiff drink? That's it, meet them at a winery - joking of course, but gets one thinking (hmmmm). All Great Advice. Thanks.

Kathy: Really nice photo. Love your PP, nice and soft.

Gives me the idea to have them do some silly poses, not because they're so good, but because I can catch them busting up at the effort. Like "see how many limbs you can cross on your partner" or "look him in the eye and say "no darling, I love your snoring"", then click their reaction to hearing the task. OK, maybe that one's a bad one to bring up at a happy outing


I don't think I failed miserably ... but it was really awkward and lacked any plan or style. Trying now to make that a learning experience and do better this time around.

You always have the good looking couples DJ


NB-Check out Jess's Photos. Some great ideas to get you started.
http://www.jessicarstr​ickland.com/blog/?cat=​2

Yea! Jessica Strickland is incredible! I love her stuff!

coreypolis wrote in post #2456262
You always have the good looking couples DJ


NB-Check out Jess's Photos. Some great ideas to get you started.
http://www.jessicarstr​ickland.com/blog/?cat=​2

Thanks Corey. Did so - great looking stuff!

I'm inclined to screen-print parts of some online albums I like, hire some cheap models, and go to town trying to duplicate what I see. Maybe then I'll get the hang of what works for me and what doesn't.

My inexperience begets tension begets unnatural poses begets ... oh well, we all start somewheres.