E-Sessions

One of my favorite types of session to shoot is engagement sessions. I love getting to know a couple and their story (because I love a good story), and then creating a custom session to fit that couple's relationship. Some are fun and flirty, some intimate and serious, some are laid back and casual, and some are just plain crazy. However, they are all happy and in love.

As a photographer, I think it's fascinating to see all of the different ways of expressing love, and believe that we have failed if we don't capture that unique style of love. Mel and I have taken couples that were very comfortable holding and hugging and kissing, and other that were very shy and uncomfortable with kissing for the camera. The images we captured were good, but you could tell that kissing in public just wasn't them. However, the shots that we got of them walking hand in hand were a perfect expression of the love that they share.

Before going into a sit, I often look at the work of other photographers who have taken similar sits. Mel and I have the honor of shooting an engagement session this weekend, so I am checking out some of the engagement work of different photographers. In this research stage I check out local, national, and international photography in order to get a sense of what is out there and glean some inspiration. I'm finding that there are some great photographers out there with work that is both original and captivating. I can get a feel for the relationship of the couple just by looking at their pictures. Friends, that is what engagement photography should be. On the other hand, I'm seeing a lot of form photography also, which speaks for itself.

Form photography, to my mind, is when I can go through a photographers portfolio and find the same poses over and over again. They are unoriginal, boring, and say nothing about the couple. Many like to label these as 'traditional' images, and some of them are. They are the images that grandma wants to put up in her living room. Personally, I have a taste for the creative side of photography, so these are the shots my wife has to remind me about and enforce. I'll admit that these 'standard' images have their place, but that shouldn't be the content of your portfolio (in my opinion). I want to see what makes you different. I want to see your unique point of view. In the words of my good friend Mr. Steve, I want FRESH!

I know what many of you are thinking, but this blog is not just me getting up on my soap box. My purpose is to challenge you as a photographer to take that second look. How can you see the scene before you in a different way that is unique to you? Do your engagement sessions say something about the couple, or are they just 'good pictures?' Don't sell yourself short, and don't get in a rush. Get to know the couple and their story and craft your session around that information. I challenge you to raise the standard.