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DPChallenge Forums >> Photography Discussion >> help on engagement party shoot !!
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02/19/2006 02:33:41 PM · #1
Hello,

i am shooting an engagement party tonight and they want formal shots as well,
can anyone give me tips on formal shots and the party as well, i am nervous about the shoot......

thank you so much
anythign would be helpful !!!!
samples would be very helpful too

thanks
02/19/2006 03:31:42 PM · #2
Warning, stream-of-consciousness response. :)

For the formal shots, find somewhere with a nice but plain background - a wall, a curtain, etc. somewhere where you have enough room to place groups of various sizes, with some space between them and the background (to reduce flash shadow). Make sure your background isn't glass, doesn't contain framed pictures or anything else that will reflect your flash.

Try to diffuse your flash if you can to minimise shadows. A cheap and easy solution is to put tracing paper or a tissue over your flash head, and secure it with a rubber band.

If you are using chairs in your formal shots, make sure they don't clash with the background. If they're armchairs, have people sitting forward in the chairs, not sitting back - sitting back is unflattering.

When posing people, make sure they are not facing square to camera - turn their bodies so they are at an angle, but with their heads turned to face the camera. The angle should be around 15 to 45 degrees. No-one - not even supermodels - look at their best when photographed with their bodies square to camera.

If you can, take at least two photos of each individual/couple/group you're photographing, just in case someone blinks.

Make sure your camera and flash batteries are fresh, and carry spares that you can change quickly. Make sure your memory cards are empty before you start! :)

Have a look at some posed photos from another event to get an idea of posing positions - see what looks good and what doesn't. If you can find someone to practice on for 10-20 minutes beforehand, that wouldn't hurt either!

Even if you feel nervous, don't let it show. Act as if you are totally in control, and nothing you do can be wrong - this will help you feel confident, and people will react well to that confidence. If you show you are nervous, they will feel nervous and probably not photograph as well. Direct people with confidence - they will need direction. Tell them what you need (stand here, face that way, turn your head) and they will do it. You can do it with gentleness and humour, but not diffidence - there has to be confidence underlying it. Don't forget, they asked you because they know you're a good photographer.

Don't forget to have fun! Good luck!
02/19/2006 10:08:34 PM · #3
Thank you sooooooooo much, helped me out lot !
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