Need some ideas for this image...

I recently shot some engagement photos for some friends (for free). They had an idea to use a photo with a wide mat as their "guestbook" and have everyone sign the mat as they came in. Then later this will be hung on their wall for all time. They hoped to get this image from my shoot *gulp*:p.

Well things went very well and we got several that they absolutely love. However, after about a week of dileberating they came up with an image that I think lacks, well, it just lacks. They love it though because the model in between them is a model of the chapel they are getting married in (we found this on a table in the backyard of the chapel). Also the bride said she LOVES their expressions because that is so "them" - he is always giving her that look, and she looks back at him. She said I couldn't have caught that moment any better.

So I guess what I'm hoping for is some PP suggestions to make this snapshot (in my mind) something more worthy of what it is intended for and where it will end up (their wall as a 11x14). At this point they have decided on a B&W and they are completely happy as-is (my conversion). I however am not and I'm hoping to show them something a little better.

Any ideas you folks can suggests or PP you can do on this would be appreciated. If you're bored, have a go at it.

Thanks a bunch
Chris

**Oh and these are straight raw PP done in Lightroom. No sharpening or anything else done on them yet.**

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You should have no trouble lighting the inside of THAT church

hate to even say but selective coloring?
other then that, id blur out the background and dodge the edge of his shirt so he stands out from that background.

Tony - Lol, I think you are right. Guess I'll have to get out the macro too.

Howzitboy - Selective color huh. What did you have in mind?

Any other ideas? Just roll with it like it is?

Chris

I think the hardest part may be getting a nice 11x14 crop. The aspect ratio doesn't really cooperate on this one... Figure in that you're also going to lose a little to the mat... Ummm. Good luck!

Wish I could help. I pulled it into CS2 to play, but as soon as I tried the new aspect ratio I gave up. You could probably get away with extending the top of the image in order to pick up a little more length...

Can you suggest a reshoot aiming to get exactly what they want? Stage the shot a little with the church slightly blurred in the background with them closer together with some interaction, holding hands & staring into each others eyes with the same "look". The table between them seems counter-intuitive for an engagement shot but I understand the reasoning for the model church's presence.

I think you have a killer shot in the making, it's a good concept and obviously one that means something to them so encourage them for a reshoot to nail the shot.