bellezzablog

Portraits are perhaps my favorite part of this business, probably because of the creative challenge they pose and the emotional depth that can potentially be captured in a single image. Shooting a wedding is vastly different- for I am documenting a series of events- from dressing the bride to exchanging rings to cutting cake....all situations which happen throughout the day almost automatically, and while I have the job to turn every single situation in to a unique creative masterpiece, it is a far different thing than spending two hours with the same subjects!

There are three basic challenges that photogs confront with each client:

#1 (most important in my book): THE EYES HAVE IT. The expression in a subject's eyes can make or break a photo. The pose could be perfect, but "dead eyes" that lack expression or emotion are lethal to a portrait. Engage your brain....if your brain is thinking "hold this position"- your eyes will read a far off look, but if you change your thought focus to something engaging- especially easy since your partner is right next to you, your eyes will gain that soft warm quality that makes a stunning portrait.

#2 Body language: It doesn't matter what you are doing, as long as it comes across as natural (or supernatural!) in the photo. Flip through a high fashion magazine like ELLE or VANITY FAIR....some of the positions these models get into are perhaps humanly impossible and very unnatural....HOWEVER, they are carried off with perfect fluidity...thus making it appear natural. So you have to be comfortable in your own skin, know your body, know its flaws but especially your best assets, and be as loose and comfortable as possible. The challenge is to take the posed look away from the pose- if you are directed to hold eachother, hold as if you are doing it without your photographer there. Talk to eachother, engage eachother's attention, make eachother laugh...whisper your vows...anything along those lines will take you out of pose mode and into a realistic moment that can be easily captured on camera.

#3 Have fun and BE YOU. These are portraits, after all....so we are not capturing some high-fashion-market idea, but looking to get you, and who you are at this time in your life. The irony of this concept is that getting ready for a photo shoot can be a stressful time crunch....way too many couples arrive already on edge with eachother because they have let their closets and clocks get to them....so it takes extra long to take those forced smiles and make them genuine. So try to avoid that by relaxing and laughing off the kinks in your day (this is great wedding day practice!:)

The best part in all of this is that you are a COUPLE....which makes things a lot easier in the sense that you can play off each other- make each other comfortable and have fun working together to get each shot. ....Best of all, you are not a couple of models who meet on set for the first time....rather you are here to document your love and share it for all to see. So on that note you are already miles ahead...and the more open you are about sharing your love and vitality to each other, the more it will translate on camera.

Time is on our side.....
Each couple gets a two hour session- which is the perfect amount of time to capture that wide variety of shots that depict each couple's personality through all of the emotions- playful, romantic, serious, and of course the standard portrait poses. I always know that the first 20-30 minutes is just the warm up....so I start off by taking the standard portraits, and showing the couple a preview of the good ones to help build their confidence in front of the camera. The great thing about the time length we have and the fact that we are on-location, is that we are in a completely interactive environment, and before you know it, you will be lost in the fun of it all and any camera inhibitions you came with will be a thing of the past!

Make it special
The best advice I can give is to turn your engagement portrait session into a date. Its easy during the wedding planning to get caught up in the to-dos, and photos can end up being just another thing crossed off your list. But for the sake of amazing shots....put a little spark into the day and it will be well worth the investment! Plan to celebrate somewhere special with dinner or a night on the town following your shoot- this way it will keep you energized all day in expectancy of not just the session, but the time together celebrating your love and your time together as a couple. Then, even better, when you get the photos later, they will have a whole additional set of personal memories for you to cherish.

What about the WHERE??
The location can certainly enhance the creative aspects of your shoot, but for the most part is the most minor detail....and while it will always play a role in the overall style of the shoot, the true focus will be the two of you. Picking a spot that is either personally special to you or plays into your overall wedding theme is always good- but overall think of the location as an accessory- the only truly important element in the engagement/couple's session is the two of you!

Finally, Prop it up!
That is referring to props. There may be little things in your life that define or symbolize you as a couple- things that are special, memorable or that just bring out your goofy side....so in that case, BRING THEM ALONG for some great shots! Whether you are a couple that are staunch fans of rival teams, or you both share a love of your precious pug pups, such elements can further personalize your portrait session! One couple had a "when pigs fly" theme of their wedding, and they brought a gifted flying pig to their session, while another shared a secret passion for smoking pipes which made for some fantastic moments. The point is...the more YOU that you can add into a photo will only help to build your story, so don't be afraid to spice up your shots with a bit of personal flavor.