Forget Engagement Sessions?

[skyoftexas]

I enjoy looking at other photographers wedding shots, but it is rare that I find engagement session photos interesting. They just look --- corny. A wedding is a real event. An engagement shoot is actually phony, and it looks it. (This is not the same as a bridal session, which is essentially a modeling session, with the photographer showcasing their creativity.)

I am thinking of foregoing engagement sessions for post wedding shoots. The idea would be to shoot the couple in a relaxed setting of their choosing in which they are just hanging out and enjoying each others company. Showing that the wedding was a good match. Examples? Sunday morning reading the newspaper in bed. Making a dinner together in the kitchen. Entertaining family or friends. Taking a bath together. Whatever. But not so much posed shots as candid shots.

Am I completely whacked with this thinking?

[kayumangi]

Think of it this way you're doing the esession because you need to find out how the B&G can be best photographed, you're establishing rapport after all. And in order to make great wedding photographs both the subject and the taker must be gelling nicely.

[ziffle]

^^^^ this.....

Plus you could challenge yourself to flush out more creative lighting or different looks.

[lscottpht]

So what you are describing above could easily be part of an engagement session. I always suggest to my couples to incorporate things they enjoy, i.e. sitting on the couch watching tv, reading in bed, whatever. I very rarely "pose" my e sessions. I really don't see any difference in an e sesh and the type of shoot you are describing.

[lyncca]

I agree with leslie. I try to do a little posed and unposed. It depends on if the couple has a hard time being natural in front of the camera too.

I do know that my couples that had a really hard time at their engagement session rocked their sexy couples pictures at their wedding, I fully contribute this to already having had a session with me and them loving their pictures.

They may know that they love my pictures of my other clients, but many people question whether THEY will do a good job in front of the camera (I'm personally like this). By their wedding, they know I make them look good, so they fully trust me and that makes them look and act more natural.

[lyncca]

Here is an example :)

This is a cute picture, but it took me FOREVER to get them to get even this close to eachother... Notice their bodies still have space between them and his face is far from her too. I hadn't even gotten any good kisses at this point.



This was one of the very first couple pictures at their wedding... Now look at their faces and bodies...

[skyoftexas]

Originally Posted by kayumangi

Think of it this way you're doing the esession because you need to find out how the B&G can be best photographed, you're establishing rapport after all. And in order to make great wedding photographs both the subject and the taker must be gelling nicely.

This is a good response. I can see the value in this. But ---- I'm still a little suspicious of the method. You take two people to some location because it has scenic value and attempt to show their passion for each other, which then is suppose to show why they are getting married. It's a difficult assignment. If, and when I develop the skill to pull it off, perhaps I will look at engagement pictures differently. I guess I need to get my mind right.

[skyoftexas]

Originally Posted by lscottpht

So what you are describing above could easily be part of an engagement session. I always suggest to my couples to incorporate things they enjoy, i.e. sitting on the couch watching tv, reading in bed, whatever. I very rarely "pose" my e sessions. I really don't see any difference in an e sesh and the type of shoot you are describing.

Could you point me to an example or two from your galleries?

[lyncca]

The scene shouldn't REALLY matter, although it helps :) And, I'm not trying to prove to anyone why they should be getting married by a picture. People can be falling all over each other and not need to be getting married and some people are very reserved publicly, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't get married.

[skyoftexas]

Very good point, Lynnca. Do you think truly successful wedding photos hinge on doing an engagement session?

[skyoftexas]

Originally Posted by lyncca

The scene shouldn't REALLY matter, although it helps :) And, I'm not trying to prove to anyone why they should be getting married by a picture. People can be falling all over each other and not need to be getting married and some people are very reserved publicly, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't get married.

Well, I guess I may be interpreting the term "engagement photos" too literally. You given a good reason for them from the photographers standpoint, but why does the couple want them? And who, besides the couple, enjoys looking at them?

[lyncca]

Originally Posted by skyoftexas

Well, I guess I may be interpreting the term "engagement photos" too literally. You given a good reason for them from the photographers standpoint, but why does the couple want them? And who, besides the couple, enjoys looking at them?

Its a mile marker :) And, they use them for save the dates, albums, their wedding websites and around their homes. Family usually wants some (this is why I do some of what I call "mom and dad" pics, which are posed looking at the camera).

It isn't often that we as adults go get our pictures professionally taken until we start a family, so this is one of those mile markers.

You are a guy, so you should understand (which is the point of this thread) that you need a REASON to drag a guy in front of the camera, and getting engaged is one of those reasons that we as women can use

[skyoftexas]

nt

[skyoftexas]

Originally Posted by lyncca

Its a mile marker :) And, they use them for save the dates, albums, their wedding websites and around their homes. Family usually wants some (this is why I do some of what I call "mom and dad" pics, which are posed looking at the camera).

It isn't often that we as adults go get our pictures professionally taken until we start a family, so this is one of those mile markers.

You are a guy, so you should understand (which is the point of this thread) that you need a REASON to drag a guy in front of the camera, and getting engaged is one of those reasons that we as women can use

Okay, I'm starting to get it. And you are very funny. Maybe that is why women seem more easily suited to wedding photography. Us guys have to work harder at it.

[bthompson]

I LOVE engagement sessions and the few weddings I've shot without doing the session beforehand always seemed removed in comparison. E-sessions are what you make them. As a photographer it's your job to keep things fresh and natural feeling and not shoot the same old boring crap. I enjoy looking at well shot engagement sessions on other photographer's blogs.