My First Engagement Session

This was my first attempt at an engagement session. The weather was not that cooperative but we made the best of it. I had a total of 18 photos that I edited and sent to the happy couple. Here's a few of them. Comments and critique welcome!

1.

Ok here are my thoughts on these, given I am not a pro and simply a looker.

1. I like them in this shot but I feel the light overhead really attracts my eye, too much blank space above them. Crop it to get rid of the light and show more of them in my opinion.

2. Not a bad shot, might like it with some sort of processing done in post? Also looks like the DOF is pretty thin, the people are out of focus?

3. I really like this shot, again out of focus on their faces?

4. I like this shot too, for some reason I think I would like it cropped so that it is waist up and the focus is on their faces and the beautiful tree behind.

5. Not a bad shot, he looks a little uncomfortable with the limp right arm and uneven footing.

6. Nice shot of ring.

Again these are just observations and may or may not be your taste. Hopefully they help in the future. As long as these folks are happy then you have a success!!

Thanks,
Jake

I agree with the above poster... here are just some of my opinions...

1. Nice idea and shot, but just a little too much space above them, it would have been better if you got a little more of the couple in the shot.

2. Couple seems OOF, and you seem to have very noticeable CA (I think that's what it is?) in this shot (not your fault, more the lens, but still affects the image).

3. Nice shot, but again, a little OOF.

4. Again nice shot, but a little OOF, and I would have liked it better without the angle personally maybe just my personal style though..

5. I wish he was doing something with the right arm as well, and it is just a little awkward with his eyes open I think, not very natural haha.

6. Nice ring shot, although I would prefer a shot of the ring not on the finger, or one farther away so that you can see a little more of the fingers/hand.

These are all just my opinions, I hope that you can just use some them for the future. I am sure that the couple was happy though! Congrats on your first session, it only gets easier and more fun from here!

Thanks for the comments and tips! They are well received and will be kept in mind for next time. I'm really not digging the Sigma 24-70 lens right now. The photos always seem to turn out soft. And I'm still working on getting all of my settings right.

The guy was hard to work with. Everytime I would suggest something he would just laugh. I tried to work with what I had. lol. All in all the couple was happy with the pics so thats a good thing.

The shot of the ring is from a picture I cropped of them holding hands. I wish I would have had her put her fingers together instead of them being spread apart. But unfortunately that was an afterthought.

1 - I really dig the composition on this one, personally. The lines lead well from the top to the bottom. I would have liked to see it at something wider than f/4 but you are probably working with that as your widest aperture. My only real beef with it is the processing. I think the processing is harsh and dark and it detracts from the photo. It really hides/kind of distorts their faces.

2 - Ooh I guess you do have a 2.8, judging by the EXIF on this one. This photo is not a keeper IMO, sorry. The focus is not on them, it fell around them. Plus it just seems a little soft and grainy in general, and I think her face looks heavier than it should optimally look because of her angle. I totally 100% understand why you chose it - they both have cute smiles on their face, and I see the appeal in that.. but I wouldn't have kept it personally.

3 - Again, they look cute, but a few issues. I guess it must have been pretty dark when you were shooting since you're at such a high ISO and a very low shutter speed. 1/30th is just too low unless you're using a tripod and they are staying quite still. The image looks soft and their eyes are quite shadowy, also.. watch the chin thing. I know she's wearing a turtleneck which is one of the most cursed things on the planet when it comes to photos, but the way she's leaning back is unflattering. I DO like the composition of it otherwise, even the little tilt.. it works.

4 - This one looks in focus and wow what a gorgeous location! I don't know that I love the tilt here. Perhaps straighten it up and crop it in a bit closer. It's also a bit cool and his face and one of her eyes are dark. Hats are pretty hard to shoot with.. They generally cause this problem. But it's the first session - so now you know to put your foot down in the future!

5 - Honestly, not working for me. He looks like he's looking outward, and he's kinst of roped into the whole thing. She looks into it, he does not. Also.. same tilt gets repetitive. Use tilt in moderation and don't always tilt the same way lol.

6 - The cropped version here is no good.. It really shows the skin texture which is kind of icky. Even if you don't like the spread fingers, I'd definitely go with the whole hand version.

I noticed (after several photos) that you are shooting in Auto mode. Try some practice with at least AP.. it will give you more control over the quality of your photographs. Good luck!

1. I like the idea of this shot, it would have made for a brilliant shot at night with the light on and lighting them

2. Again I see what your trying for here, I feel the angle isn't the best for the bride to be. Plus the image looks out of focus (compared to the rest of the set)


3. Again not showing the bride to be in her best light, the angle makes her look big

4. I really like this shot, the position suits the bride to be

5. nice shot, shame about the groom to be: where is he looking? plus what happening with that arm? He looks half hearted, I'm sure he'll get his dues once the lady sees this image!

6. Nice shot, over sharpened/over exposed to my eye - I see you've cropped it heavily which makes sense.

The skin tones in these look a little red/purplish to me. I agree about cropping out the top in the first one, and I'd try to add a little fill light on the faces as well. Thats actually my favorite shot though.