Common fears and the number 1 thing i hear as a photographer...
The most common thing stopping someone from taking photos is "I dont know how to pose" or " I look awkward in photos." thats why I try to make that my job during the session. I will guide you through the session and make micro adjustments to make sure you look your best in the images we are creating.
Most people think they will look stiff and unnatural. Most have never done this before but they should know that those are all common concerns that everyone has. Not everyone was born to be in front of the camera, however together we can work through those fears and create some amazing images.
Good photos do not come from years of modeling experience, they come from natural connections. So during the day I try to make it about the couple in front of me. I guide you during the whole session and remind you to focus on each other. I will try and capture the intimate REAL moments that you will share with your partner through out the day. Those are the moments that we really want to see. Yes, we will have some fun posed silly moments, if you have an idea I will always encourage it and try it out.
What actually happens during a shoot?
I always tell my couples that the first five minutes, it will be awkward. Imaging being intimate with your partner and then you hear a click and a light flash.... yeah it strange. However after a few minutes all that goes away, and it's natural to feel that way. After a while you will feel comfortable and will even forget the camera is there, you will just flow and get into natural looking poses. I will guide you during the whole thing and randomly say "yes, hold that pose" and you won't even know you were doing a super cute pose. I tend to break awkward silences by asking about your love story, trying to make each other laugh and reminding you we are there to have a fun time. I try to look for good lighting to take photos and I understand sometimes we need a break and thats perfectly fine. We can always hang out in the shade, and talk. It is important to take breaks and stay hydrated. I like to keep it natural by talking and laughing and slowly walking to new locations.
I encourage my couples to wear something they are comfortable in. Good shoes because sometimes we walk to new locations with in the area. If we are at the beach, make sure you have a back up pair in case yours gets wet. I need to follow my own advice because I'll get my shoes wet and not have a back up, but we are not here to talk bout me. Try to focus on each other, not the camera. Just interact with each other and try not to perform too much for the camera. I understand and believe in something called "posing fatigue," so after twenty or thirty minutes couples tend to burn out. So I read the body language of the couples and usually by that time we are in a good spot to start wrapping up the session. I always double check to make sure there was no idea or location we did not get. The worse thing is getting home and remembering there was a pose or idea we did not get too.
Keep it natural
Remember that a genuine smile is way better than a forced posed one. I got for images that feel like your personality. No desire to hug and kiss? I do not force those, everything should come natural and feel genuine during the photo shoot. I aim to make your photography session feel fun and not stressful at all.
If you have been putting off getting photos of your engagement of just with your special someone (or even updated family photos) I got you. Feel free to reach out and I can answer any and all questions you might have that make you hesitate booking a session.
