Before stepping out of the house for your engagement photography session, remember that the best (and least stressed) future brides and grooms are prepared ones! The more you’re “ready for anything”, the easier and more fun your session will be. Do your homework and be prepared!
1. Back light can be powerful
Back light is when the light source is nearly directly behind the subject. This can be done by using off camera flash or more commonly by using the sun to create the silhouette. This can create a beautiful and artistic photo.
2. Avoid dappled light
Sometimes photo sessions cannot occur at the perfect time of day. If you find that the sun is too bright, seek out shade to create a more balanced light. Be careful to avoid dappled light though. It usually is not a desired effect of too many bright and dark spots within the same frame especially on the faces.
3. Climb high
Stand on walls or bring a stepladder to create an angle that showcases a slightly alternative angle to everyday objects that are shot straight-on most of the time. This can also help with height differences of the couple as well as minimize body flaws.
4. Light has color
When the Sun is high in the sky, the shorter waves, primarily the blue, strike air molecules in the upper atmosphere and bounce around and scatter. Hence explaining why the sky looks blue. Later in the day, when the rays get longer, the light appears warmer. If you ever went shopping for a light bulb, you know all the various color temperatures you can buy. With digital cameras, you can use the white-balance control to neutralize colorcasts or to emphasize them—for example, to add a warmer tone to a portrait. With film, you need to choose the right film for the light you’d be shooting in, or compensate with filters.
5. Inclement weather
Who needs another standard sunset photo? Don’t let the weather cancel your plans for the session. Have the couple get out their rubber boots and umbrellas and play in the rain. Be sure to protect your camera gear with plastic bags. You can purchase specially made ones for your camera or use a Ziploc bag and cut a hole for the eye piece. If they don’t want to get wet, then alternate locations like a coffee shop or museum can be just as fun.
