Booked an engagement session - now what?

[lblongs]

So I just booked a freebie engagement session for a coworker who is getting married in Vegas in a few months. I have never done one of these and have NO idea where to begin. I am soliciting tips, pointers, etc for the session. Shoudl I use a telezoom and shoot from afar in hopes I will cath them acting natural, or should I stay relatively close so I can direct the shots? I am at a loss as to where to begin. I know the couple relatively well, since we are all coworkers but I don't know them personally. I am in the early stages of building a portfolio and I want to do this type of work - so I figured I have to start with someone and they approaced me over the weekend. The session is in 2 weeks..........

I have a 50mm fixed, and 18-55 kit, 55-200 and 18-105...........should I rent a lens for the day?

[Jim Poor]

I have never done one of these and have NO idea where to begin

Emphasis added.

Then what on earth were you thinking when you agreed to do it? I realize we all have to start with our "first" session, but it is usually advisable to have a clue what we're doing before accepting the first one.

[Swisstony10]

Since it's your first shoot like this, and you're trying to get pictures for your portfolio, I'd suggest going for a mixture of both, but to start with, concentrate on what you know best. If you're ok with directing people for nice natural-looking portraits, then get some of those in the camera first - that way you can relax a bit, and go with the creative flow knowing that you're not going to blow the session by experimenting.

Also, having a mixture of both types of shot will give them more choice when they're picking their pictures for prints or whatever they're having. To get things looking natural, get them to tell you about how they met, the first time they kissed, get them to describe the proposal - if you get each of them to tell you how it happened from their point of view, you'll hopefully not only create a romantic atmosphere, but you could also get a few nice natural laughs. Get them to describe what they've got planned for the wedding too, and while they're talking, and looking at each other, just shoot lots from different angles, distances, and so on.

You could also try going a fairly long way from them, and then getting them to walk towards you slowly, hand-in-hand (or arm-in-arm, or whatever they prefer), then shoot a variety of distant/wide/zoomed pictures of them.

Let us know how it goes.

Russ.

[lblongs]

@Jim - I guess I overemphazised here. I KNOW what I'm doing photography wise and am very comfortable with my knowledge, but I have never worked with a couple in this manner. I'm great with babies and children, etc. I have done alot of research on engagement sessions and know what is typically done, etc, but I was being honest when I said I have no idea (ie:never done one)

I feel that doing something for free to gain experience is just fine as long as the client agrees and acknowledges that you are a beginner looking for experience. Suggest to me how else one would gain experience in a type of work that they are inexperienced in other than getting out and doing it??? I am just looking for pointers for how to have a successful engagment session. If you have any, please feel free to share.

[autofocus]

A couple of quick suggestions:

*Scope out the planned location of the shoot...check the lighting for the best areas, and best times of day (usually never midday) Also see if good window light could be available to take advantage of
*Having a assistant with knowledge of using a reflector / diffuser could be very helpful
*Where and when needed, don't be afraid to use fill flash for outdoor shots
*Something else that could be nice is use of soft focus...If you have an extra skylight filter, an inexpensive solution is a little vasolene smeared on it...makes for a nice dreamy / romantic effect. Just a very light coat around the outer portion of it and leave the center part clear. Of course, you can always go out and buy the screw on soft focus filters...more money, but less messy

Vince

[AnneWynne]

There is a first for everything, and _every_ session is different. Autofocus has some great suggestions on the how-to for location sessions...scope it out before hand, use of reflectors both to reflect and block light (assistants are very hand with this).

As for how you pose them once you start, it will come to you as you start shooting. You have researched the types of poses typically seen in engagement sessions, so you have some ideas. Your couple may have some ideas as to the type of poses they want to try (my last couple wanted to do the looking at each other around a tree because she had seen it, and though she didn't really like the look, was in a playful mood at the time).

Make sure you have plenty of time, memory (shoot raw!), and be upbeat and playful with your couple. Don't be put-off if the hubs-to-be isn't as into it as the bride. I had to tweek the smile a tad on one of my most recent sessions.

Look for unusual props and locations...if you can take a funky chair or couch outdoors for some fun shots.
GL

[djase1]

I enjoy couple sessions. My advice would be to first ask them what kind of shots they are looking to get and what shots they don't want. Every bride-to-be has seen engagement pictures of her friends or relatives and has seen things they want to emulate or things that look cheesy to them.

By doing this, you can find a good starting point to work from and then go from there. Don't worry if the Groom-to-be is not so "into it". I have found that after awhile, they will loosen up. But have fun and the subjects will as well. Don't be afraid to go with traditional poses and add your own unique touch.

The previous posters have given great advice as well. The main thing is to remember that if you let the couple interact normally while shooting, you might be surprised at the awesome images you capture. Even the Groom-to-be can't help but smile, when he is staring into the eyes of his future bride lol. Good luck and I hope you will post some when you are finished.

[eNZee]

i wont elaborate too much since you recieved many great pointers, but i would suggest to rent a lens if you could. i have almost the same lens line up as you - the 50mm and 18-105 but i ended up renting the 24-70 2.8 and OMG is that lens amazing and was sooooooooooooo much happier with the results compared to shoots i did with the other two. the results of that lens puts any other one ive ever used to shame. definately my next toy - and if you want to get into this kind of photography in the future you might as well test out ones you'll need when doing weddings. you want the fast good lenses down the line because i learned the hard way - you dont want to use that 18-105 in lowlight - i was grossly dissapointed last week even i did have a flash. once you use the good stuff everything else seems like crap....thats just my honest opinion. some may not agree with me......anyways enough babbling from me

[myang07]

As for lenses...it's all really how you shoot or going to shoot (I carry a 50mm and a 70-200mm at all times on engagements). Like people have said...try both! Journalistic style mixed with some posing will come out great. You're doing it for free, experiment as much as possible as long as the couple is comfortable with it all. Something even more important than scoping out the shoot location beforehand is GETTING TO KNOW THE COUPLE! Get on a personal level with them, find out what they like to do for fun, how their personalities are, and other info like how they met, etc. It gets the clients in a very comfortable state with you, as if a close friend is photographing them.

[WAD]

What I would like to add is that to always be aware of where the engagement ring is!

Make sure it's visible AND turned the appropriate way (i.e. didn't slide to the bottom of her finger)

Good luck!