I very often feel like careful planning of your engagement session shoot is one of the keys to success. Even if it has to be rescheduled several times, it is totally worth it to wait for the perfect weather conditions. One of the myths regarding photography is the overcast sky. I don’t like it because it’s boring! I like playing with the sun, especially late in the day when it’s close to sunset time. The color and quality of the light are the most beautiful right before the sunset. Plus – if you schedule your session properly, it gives you a chance to also shoot after sunset which in urban setting may give an opportunity to capture a lot of cool shots. All you need is a few wide open lenses and some city lights in the background. So here’s the technical 101 of my engagement session photography in a nutshell: location, timing, weather. The location is as important as good atmospheric conditions. It helps to talk to your clients beforehands and ask what is important to them, where would be their favorite spot to shoot? They may give you a lot of great ideas and if not just keep your eyes open when you are driving around – good and unique locations can be found almost anywhere!
Now there’s another key element that makes or breaks the session. The subjects. The bride and groom. Usually photographers that represent a distinctive style get hired by couples that share their vision and idea of what “good” photography IS…and when you connect with your clients well you are simply having lots of fun while shooting. When you are having fun (and you have done your homework on the technical and equipment side) you are adding flare to your images (literally as well as methaporicaly) therefore the final result is just…super cool. Of course it also helps when the bride is as gorgeous as Jennine and the groom as handsome and cool as Christopher. In this case, apart from all the aforementioned elements being in place – the photographer’s job really is easy. Aim the camera at your couple and ask them to act as if they were on a date, without paying attention to you. Click! You got it! Enjoy!
Preeti - Princeton?! You make everything looks absolutely amazing!
Aunt Pam - Stunning photograpy and subjects!!!!! How cool to see the “Nora & Jim” frogs I once gave them in a totally new perspective! Glad you acquiesced to the traffic shot, Christopher- it’s awesome, and the one of Jennine holding out her sundress with one hand and your hand with the other as the late afternoon sun casts your shadows, is my fav. I am so impressed!!!
Sheilah - Wow! I would see one and say that’s my fav until I got the next one and the next one! Some great shots there and I like how they aren’t traditional phony or fixed – just fun and love. Agree with Pam- the afternoon glow shot is great as i the traffic shot. How many days or outfit changes was it? See you soon!