This blog entry is for the wedding and portrait photographers out there. I wanted to write this post because we get lots of photographers that ask us how we approach the portrait sessions we do with our wedding clients.  Let me first say, I don’t think there is any right or wrong answer to this.  We do tend to be a little bit different from other photographers. I know a lot of photographers that will completely storyboard a session, map out the exact spots, the poses they want the couple to do etc.  They know to the tee where they want the bride’s hands to be down to her pinkie.  I’m just going to say that is not us.  We actually go into a photo session with no vision, no pre-conceived notion.  Sounds kinda weird, right.  Well the honest answer is that for us and our branding, it fits.  We want to showcase our couple’s personalities and the love they have for each other.   In my experience, you can’t really do that if you are telling them to turn this way, move your hand to the left, now take one step out, etc.  The couple starts to tense up, get nervous, feel uncomfortable, and the moment of actual emotion is gone.  We feel the images that are going to be treasured for 20, 50, 100 years are the ones with the couple is just being themselves and laughing and having a good time.  So that is the image we set out to capture.

This may sound weird at first, but I let my couples dictate where I go in my sessions and the poses I do.  In other words, my couples (and the location) inspire me to get great photos.  I will pose my couples but then I want them to do the rest.  I want them to look at each other, smile, laugh,  and just be themselves.  But I do all of this while maintaining control of the session and that just comes from experience and being confident. You need to know that each couple is different and they have a different dynmaic with each other.  I hone it on that and go with it.  I also happen to be very good at watching for non-verbal cues as they tell you far more than words could about a couple.  I can go off on entire tangent on non-verbal cues but basically if you aren’t paying attention to them, you should be.

Here are a few photos we took during recent engagement sessions that can visually show what I am rambling, err talking about 🙂

On that note, I wanted to share with you a few general tips to consider when you have a portrait session with your clients.

First, we understand our clients aren’t models and we’re not going to treat them as such.  We’re going to do our best to talk with them and make them feel comfortable around us.  It’s a lot harder than it sounds and if you are the quiet type, you have to work at being more outgoing.  The worst thing you can do is to hide behind your camera and not talk to your couple.  That adds to their anxiety and it will show in the pictures.  I really advise you (if you haven’t already) to read about Richard Avedon’s approach to working with people. He was the master at pulling out a person’s true self on camera.  He knew the exact moment to press the shutter.

Second, never put the camera down, never.  Those in-between moments are the ones that showcase the true personality of your subjects.  Don’t worry if they are talking to each, keep clicking, keep watching.  There will be a moment where both have a great smile and laughter in their eyes.  That’s when you want to take the picture but you can’t get that if your camera is by your side.

Third, you can create action.  Have the couple walk towards you looking at each other, it will create laughter, smiles, etc.    If your couple is more stiff, have them dance in the middle of the street, sidewalk, etc.  Again, its your job to make them comfortable.  Every couple we shoot, starts out nervous and unsure of what to do.  You need to guide them.  Don’t be afraid to tell your client what to do, they want you do that.  Keep in mind, this is probably the first time they have had professional pictures taken of them in years.  Let them know when they are “working it” in front of the camera. Positive reinforcement goes a long way in making your couple more sure of themselves and more at ease with what they are doing.

Fourth (and this ties in with number three) If you are not fast at capturing action, then practice.  Go to little league games and practice taking pictures of the batter hitting the ball.  You need to know how to anticipate action and get your finger/eye coordination down.  It’s not an overnight thing.  Like anything it takes practice practice practice.

If you have any other questions regarding portrait sessions or any questions relating to photography,  just leave a comment and we will do our best to address it in another blog post.