Engagement shoot - any tips/ advice?

SJD2011

SJD2011

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Sam
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I have been asked to shoot a couple who are getting married later this year. As I am just starting to build my portfolio and am not really experienced with portrait shoots, I am doing this for free.

Anyway, I have arranged to meet the couple at their home, but I have also suggested we go to the beach & the forest (weather permitting) to get some different shots.


I plan on taking my 50mm prime, my wide angle & my kit lens and leaving my 70-300 at home, but I am not sure if this would be the best thing to do? I have a flash gun with a diffuser which I will take incase the light is not being kind.

I know probably the most important thing is to connect with the couple and find something that really fits them, but I wondered if anyone has got any advice or tips for me - e.g. settings, poses (although I want to capture more candid shots), angles or just general advice really??

Thanks for any help!
 
SJD2011 said:
I have been asked to shoot a couple who are getting married later this year. As I am just starting to build my portfolio and am not really experienced with portrait shoots, I am doing this for free.

Anyway, I have arranged to meet the couple at their home, but I have also suggested we go to the beach & the forest (weather permitting) to get some different shots.

I plan on taking my 50mm prime, my wide angle & my kit lens and leaving my 70-300 at home, but I am not sure if this would be the best thing to do? I have a flash gun with a diffuser which I will take incase the light is not being kind.

I know probably the most important thing is to connect with the couple and find something that really fits them, but I wondered if anyone has got any advice or tips for me - e.g. settings, poses (although I want to capture more candid shots), angles or just general advice really??

Thanks for any help!
Click to expand...

Take your long lens with you, for tight head shoots etc. you will only prob use it between 70-150mm but the optic on a telephoto lens give a flattening affect which works well when taking portraits.

Also telephoto give a nice lens blur when shoot at wider apertures.

Another thing, If you want natural shoots, it's best to get the couple walking towards you and you just snap away. With a long lens your not in their face thus they will feel more relaxed and you will get the natural pics. Tell the couple to talk about something as they are walking so they forget about the camera etc.

I hope that helps.

M
 
Hello, Im not a professional, i haven't shot this kind of ting before but, i have run through my head what it might be like.
I am a full time head chef in a south Wales country house that specializes in weddings, private functions ect. And know full well the difference between wedding and engagement functions. Now most, not all.. Weddings are structured with time and expectations, The ceremony, photographs, the reception. Photographers tend to work around these moments throughout the day and get dedicated parts of the day for the formal shots, the candids, whatever the client has requested.
With engagements things are somewhat more relaxed, some not starting until later in the day and most towards the evening, this time of year, you could be arriving in the dark! Making natural light shooting an impossibility. So unless this is an all day affair then rule out shooting without flash.
I unless it has been requested then i would stray away from the formal shots they will distract from the relaxed atmosphere of an engagement, most guests will be there to party.
Taking three lenses will cover most situations sure but watch you don't get caught up with changing lenses every two minutes because something just or might just happen borrow or rent a second body and pop a medium range zoom on. People are unpredictable creatures, even more so at an event like this so stick to something your comfortable with, a 50 prime will make you work for your shots but gives a sense of connection to the environment, in the action so to say.
Don't worry about sneaking shots in with a long lens, everyone will know why your there so will expect to be photographed, and so long as you don't ask if you can take their photo then natural is what you will get.
An off camera flash fired from your free hand at an angle will produce something a little different regarding light, far better than the pop up fill in you usually see with the uncle bob shots lol
 
Thank you for your great reply. I perhaps should of explained it is only the couple and myself, they want some shots of themselves in order ti give them a taste if what to expect on the big day. Thanks for your advice though, its very useful.
 
Lol well that's different lol
Yeah you'll be ok just keep it calm and relaxed and enjoy it.
I watched something about comedians the other day and it was basically "if you come across as nervous the crowd will be nervous for you" i think a similar mantra can be applied
 
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