Engagement at the Fishin' Hole

 Engagement sessions are great.  It gives me a chance to meet and get to know my clients.  It gives them a chance to see how I work.  Most importantly, it allows them to get some time in front of the lens, so they can relax and get used to having their picture taken.

 Most people aren't used to being photographed.  Even when they are, it's usually only one or two pictures, and usually in a large group.  Or maybe it's just a picture with a cell phone, or even more commonly, their own camera that they've given to a friend. 

Clients often ask: Do I look into the camera?  Should I look away?  Another one?  Another one? 

 But once they get used to it, they really start to loosen up, and I can see their personalities come out in the pictures. 

 I like to try a lot of different poses. 

 And some detail shots.  This couple was brave.  The water was cold!

 This is one way to make sure it doesn't look posed. 

 And I always try to catch subjects off guard. 

And make use of the landscape.  Putting a subject in a landscape is surprisingly difficult.  The people are the subject of the shot, but I want the background to show some character too. 

Welcome Back, Spring!

Welcome back!  So far this spring, I moved, ran my first marathon (3:46:10), and shot a few weddings.  Here's the first.  They were a pretty adorable couple.  Both engineering students.  Finishing up school, getting married, starting a new life.  Good stuff! 

 The bridesmaids were a really fun group of friends, and the bride had a close, warm family, so they had a blast getting ready. 

 Her mom kept trying to feed me, and her dad spent the entire time talking to the limo driver about how to keep squirrels away from the attic. 

Some of the bridesmaids are Ren Fair aficionados, so they knew about hair and makeup. 

 This was a classically-themed wedding, so we get many elegant pictures with simple colors and clean lines. 

 But I still catch the cute stuff too. 

 People occasionally ask about seeing more formals on the website.  I'm like, "really?"  Formals are so... basic.  Well, here are some posed shots, but they're not your down-the-line formals. 

Actually, this one wasn't posed. 

 I always tell couples, "if you want your guests to dance, you gotta be on the dance floor!"  Sometimes, guests take matters into their own hands.  Literally. 

Don't you love the close crops?  I know I do.  

Everything looks better from close up.  Adorable.