Engagement Sessions....

PaulAndAPentax · 01-30-2008, 04:28 PM

Ok...for all you wedding photographers out there...

I have scheduled my first engagement session for Saturday. We are going down to the local beach. I have several of my own ideas but any input with those with experience would be great.

(before you ask, the bride is a friend of my wife who knows I have no formal experience and agreed to let me shoot their session unpaid to use for my portfolio...) I will also get to shoot their beach wedding later this year.

I plan to go live (for $) in 2009....this year just learning, giving my time, and building a portfolio...

ramzey · 01-30-2008, 05:09 PM

Im not wed photog but mby couple advices would help you
Take assistant and large reflector, set camera on bracketing, shoot in RAW only.
Take deep breath
You are ready to go

good luck!

paden501 · 01-30-2008, 05:12 PM

LOL @ ramzey

Funny thing is I'll be doing the same thing this weekend (my own engagement though) if my K10 gets here in time. I too would love some ideas.

PaulAndAPentax · 01-30-2008, 05:16 PM

Originally Posted by paden501

LOL @ ramzey

Funny thing is I'll be doing the same thing this weekend (my own engagement though) if my K10 gets here in time. I too would love some ideas.

Congrats! Your fiance is very pretty....

Arpe · 01-31-2008, 01:08 AM

Reflector and/or diffuser and/or flash to soften the direct sunlight and fill shadows.
Polariser.
Hat.

**roentarre** · 01-31-2008, 04:18 AM

There shall be a check list that a lot of "must have" moments to be captured. Dress up, the ring, various guests, sequence of events etc. Depending whether you want to do classic traditional ones or photojournalistic style. I tried a few attempts that all failed miserably. I doubt you have time to use reflectors at all unless everyone stops to pause for you.

Use fast zooms like tamron 24-70mm/2.8. If the shots were never made, it would be like a chef without ingredients and food.

p.s. WB is tricky as the lighting varies from indoor to outdoor or even to shade. Using flash often gives yellowish hue especially to skin. It is rather difficult for me.

PaulAndAPentax · 01-31-2008, 04:53 AM

Luckily for me, this engagement shoot will be outdoors at the beach. All I really need equipment-wise is my camera and a decent lens. I have the 50 f/1.4 and the Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4 which will be fine for daylight at the beach.

**roentarre** · 01-31-2008, 06:42 AM

Then reflector is a must if direct harsh sun present. Maybe an assistant to help you hold the reflectors ...

squarerigger · 01-31-2008, 07:13 AM

A bottle of booze for the groom to be as it is slowly revealed to him that he no longer has any control over his life. Hell, you could probably use him as your assistant and nobody would notice!

Good luck and I hope all turns out well - for you as a new career and for the couple to be.

jmbower · 01-31-2008, 09:56 AM

Ask them if they've seen "From Here to Eternity"....

Frogroast · 01-31-2008, 06:56 PM

Originally Posted by jmbower

Ask them if they've seen "From Here to Eternity"....

Nothing like getting sand all up in your... ahem... camera and lens crevices.

In addition to equipment, some basics in case you haven't considered this.

Check the weather - Tallahassee, Florida (32301) Conditions & Forecast : Weather Underground

Seems like you're getting a clear day, full sun, high 60s. so consider the time of day you'll be at the beach.

Unless you want to get squint shots and give the couple a headache, think about where the sun will be at that time of day. If you want to shoot with the sand dunes and oat grass as a backdrop, then you probably want to do early morning, if you want the water as your backdrop, later in the afternoon.

Also think about how much reflective light you will get from the sand and water - it can be much worse in the middle of the day.

And finally - It's a public beach so think of beach-goers. Shouldn't be a big issue this time of year, but all it takes is one wrinkled, tanned to a crisp senior person walking into your field of view to ruin a shot.
On the comfort side, take a few water bottles - wind and sun can really parch up a couple in love

, and maybe a box of tissue paper in case anyone gets shine on their skin, whether from sweat or oil.

Have fun and enjoy what I'm sure will be a beautiful and fun day at the beach!

afs760bf · 02-01-2008, 09:28 AM

There's a lot more to this type of photography than meets the proverbial eye. Actually, you should hope that you have an overcast or broken sky and nice reflections. Background is important, and sometimes difficult at a beach. Metering will be important, because you'll have bright surroundings (maybe) but darker centers.

You'll want to bring a flash and know how to use it as fill flash. It will help fill in the voids. This is especially true when it comes to the wedding where, I assume, you will have no control over the placement of the people. You might want to check out some posing books from the library.

Good luck.

PaulAndAPentax · 02-06-2008, 11:16 AM

I posted a few of the better shots under the "pictures" section a few days ago under "First Engagement Session"

You can also see about 20 shots on my pbase site...