I always start by having my clients walk away from me to get them to a spot I’d like to shoot. Not only does this give me my first shot of the day but it’s natural. I might have them freeze and look at me but once they get to their spot, praise them for rocking it out! They just did their first picture without breaking a sweat! This usually gets a laugh out them and makes for a great shot in itself.
Always shoot a few close ups. This is one of my favorite poses for couples. Not only does it show off his arms but it showcases her ring and beautiful smile. And what girl doesn’t love being held?
I shot the image on the left with the intention of it looking like I was spying on a private moment. And the image on the right, I had him nuzzle her cheek which always gets a giggle. By positioning her hand on his arm, we get to see the ring as well.
By having your clients interact with the space around them, it gives their session a lifestyle feel. I had them act like they were shopping for flowers and wanted them to touch and point out to each other which flowers they liked. Of course this caused more giggles because shopping for flowers is fun!
The couple mentioned how they love mojitos and wanted to grow their own mint. By incorporating the mint plant, we not only made it personal for them but it’s another great way to show off the ring.
A sweeping view of the location is a must. The rows made for perfect leading lines and by putting the couple in the middle, you focus on nothing but them. By having them dance and twirl around, it added movement to the image.
I asked the bride-to-be what her favorite flower was and she mentioned she had started a succulent garden. To make it personal for the couple I used the succulents for the ring shots. The succulents add all kinds of textures and colors that really make the ring pop!
The session was scheduled in April. Spring in the midwest can be very cold and sometimes we even have snow. The day of the session was freezing with high winds. We were unable to reschedule so I contacted a local greenhouse and asked if we could use their facilities for the session. Iv’e learned it never hurts to ask! Thankfully we were given the green light and we ended up having the whole place to ourselves! Thanks to quick thinking and open minded clients, we were able to create something magical. One of my favorite sessions to date!
Sarah is a wedding, lifestyle, and portrait photographer based out of Jackson, Nebraska. She enjoys country living with her husband and two fur babies. Avid reader and music junkie, Sarah loves all things creative. Find Sarah Ann Photography on the Web: FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST
