Engagement session photos. - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

11/16/2008 10:02:41 PM · #1

I shot an engagement session today for some friends of mine who are getting married next may. I posted a few of them in a gallery here. I'd appreciate some comments and critiques. I'm still learning this posing and composition thing. Sports is alot different.

Matt

Edit to add I'll go comment for comment to folks who comment.

Message edited by author 2008-11-16 22:12:41.

Nikon D200

11/16/2008 10:53:20 PM · #2

This one is the strongest, I think. Shiny happy couple!

Some general thoughts aka How I Do It: the gallery looks like you wanted to include a lot of picturesque background. The goal is to get shots of the couple, tho, so you want the majority of the frame to be about them in most of the shots. Always good to have a few featuring location, but the couple seems so...far away in so many of them? I usually get there early and do a few of just the scene for them, too.

You've done a great job of showing them interacting. Next time, try one person looking at the camera and one person looking at the other and see if you can get that "Aww, the love" in the expression. You can generate this with patter about how they met and asking about the story of how they got engaged.

I'm not getting why the graffiti is included inside the covered bridge? Is one of those markings something they did?

As far as poses - every couple is different and it's hard sometimes to choose poses that reflect who they are as a couple. For example, show-off poses with a shy couple aren't as reflective of them as the shot that looks like a sneak-peek of them in an unguarded moment. It looked like they were really comfortable with you, so that's good! Sometimes it's good to have a mental list of paces you'll guide them through based on their personality.

There's something I can't quite put my finger on regarding the overall toning on the shots. It's not quite cold, it's not quite drab, but it's not quite right.

They should be pretty happy with these, and that's what counts. :)

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

11/16/2008 11:13:23 PM · #3

Thanks L2 actually the shots including alot of background were there ideas. The tight shots were my intended shots from my shot list I made prior to going. They chose this particular location based on the old covered bridge and wanted shots with them that showed the area.

The graffiti shots were actually taken with the intent of cloning all of it out. We wanted to do shots inside, but you know how kids vandalize things. After the fact I've done some editing on the shots and they saw them without the graffiti removed and they like them. I'll post a few of them later. Most of the shots I've posted are essentially unedited besides a crop and a few minor tweaks. I've also sent them a link to an online gallery I made for them and they love what I put up for them to look at. That being the goal I was after I'm happy. But I'm always looking to improve. The harsher people here are on me, the better I am the next time out with clients who dont happen to be friends.

Matt

mpeters

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

11/16/2008 11:27:30 PM · #4

Here is a fun pose. You might want lighten up the shadows slightly.

Ditto what Laurie said about getting up close and personal.

They will be pleased i'm sure.

Nikon D200

11/16/2008 11:30:15 PM · #5

Ooh! Ooh! If I knew they liked the graffiti, I might be tempted to add a bit of my own with their names and the wedding date. But then, I've not been much of a purist lately. :)

You'll be great with the new clients coming up - not to worry.

ETA: stash a milk crate in the trunk to stand on while on location to get the higher angle mpeters suggested maybe?

Message edited by author 2008-11-16 23:33:56.

11/16/2008 11:40:40 PM · #6

Originally posted by L2:

Here are a few edits I made with the graffiti shots.

I really like the idea of adding to the graffiti! If I can figure out how to do it, I will, they will love it!

Yeah with the Milk crate thing, I knew being short would bite me one day!

Matt