Comments on: A step-by-step guide to shooting relaxed, unposed-like couple shots - Part I

By: links for 2009-03-06 | Steve G. Bisig Photography

links for 2009-03-06 | Steve G. Bisig Photography — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 13:13:54 +0000

[...] A step-by-step guide to shooting relaxed, unposed-like couple shots - Part I (tags: photography portraits couples technique) [...]

By: CallumW

CallumW — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 16:39:09 +0000

Great article as usual.
In my (limited) ecperience I find that letting the person/couple handle the camera and lense while I’m setting up helps to break the barriers between them and me.
I’ll set up and take some “test shots”…. just to check the lighting and colour balange of course ;o)
These usually turn out fantastic as they’re not posing and think I’m just calibrating the camera before the ‘real’ pictures get taken.
I’ll show them these and they immediately relax as they know they’re in safe hands

If things get a bit stale or awkward I’ll take some 14mm shots of them up close and pulling goofy faces…. then show them.
Always a tension breaker.
Switch to a normal lense then show them hot shots every few minutes to keep them motivated

By: Jasper

Jasper — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 23:34:43 +0000

Hey Pieter,

Great article (as always off course)
This particular part of your column is what I believe one of the most important ingredients: ‘This is where your charming, funny, communicative personality comes into play!’ and also ‘Make sure they look more at each other than at you.’
It works for me all the time and as you say; ‘most people hate to pose’ so my believe is also to not let them pose but play around.
Sometimes I use tricks to get them going like little instructions like; ‘whisper something in each other ears about what you want to do tonight’ Most of the time it is a very pleasing and laughing scene but that can be a point where the couple starts moving and interacting like the should.

Also I believe in distance. I also work most of the time with a 70-200 and it gives the couple space for intimaty and that works great in most cases. Try to keep some distance like you want to make a photo of a couple of births. As photographer there are moments you wish the forgot you.

I’m totally agreed with you that photo’s without looking into the lens are most of the time the most beautiful because it starts with a ‘unposed’ spice on a blank photo.

Again,
Great story and very helpful knowledge

By: A step-by-step guide to shooting relaxed, unposed-like couple shots - Part II | Squeeze the LIME - Learn Inspire Motivate Experience

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 12:24:20 +0000

[...] the end of my first article, we arrived at a point where the couple is more relaxed and no longer constantly looking into the [...]

By: Cristóvão

Cristóvão — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 21:17:55 +0000

Great post!!! i cant wait for the part II

Happy shooting!

By: Tanya Plonka

Tanya Plonka — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 04:22:33 +0000

A useful technique in getting them to tease each other is to have them lean in really close like they are about to kiss, lips almost touching (because let’s face it, most kisses look awkward in photos), but make sure you tell them NOT to kiss. The pictures turn out way sexier. And if they do kiss, I scold them for it, and it lightens the mood even more.

By: Bram

Bram — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 12:07:47 +0000

@ Gabby I got the same problem, it’s not so much “forgetting to speak” as not spending a great deal of thought to what I say I’m so caught up in the rush of taking photographs that I can’t seem to be able to make a decent conversation. This is not a problem if you’re working with a experienced model, as he/she only needs a few pointers before they move on their own, but when you’re working with anyone else, this can be quite a problem

@ Pieter I got a session coming up with a young couple (friend of a friend - so I don’t really know them) and I’m thinking about how I’m gonna approach this. Do I rent a studio and go all out on props with only one or maybe two lighting setups, or do I go outside, on a nice location. IF I decide to go outside, will I use only ambient light? Or will I add flashes as I see necessary? My question to you (after this long intro) is as follows: If I go outside and I want to have starting positions for my lights (1 VIVITAR 285H & 1 Speedlight 430EX - both with Poverty Wizards and matching umbrella’s / stands), how would I place them so that I could get the best range of motion for my couple? Or would I just start out with ambient light and add lights later on?

By: Pieter

Pieter — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 08:18:09 +0000

@Kris no, you sure aren’t the only one that get’s these kind of guys But over the years I found some ways to get them into it, as a hint : sex always does the trick I’ll tell you more in the next article but as a hint I’m pretty sure most couples go straight home, and they won’t be watching television

@Gabby indeed, it takes a while to get used to mixing it up “live” as in : thinking about a shot AND keeping the couple entertained. But, if you get them really into each other and to interact with each other it takes the focus a bit away from you so you can do your stuff while they are having fun amongst them

@Quentin true, especially for the ladies. Show them a really hot shot & they will instantly go at it again

By: Elja Trum

Elja Trum — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 08:07:52 +0000

Usefull tip, Pieter!
Looking forward to your next articles about ‘posing’ your couples.

By: Quentin Guillory

Quentin Guillory — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 06:55:44 +0000

another littletrick i found that helps is to show them a really good shoot and when the energy level goes down. Show them anotherand add a comment like “WOW! you guys make a really good looking couple.” and Viola!!!! back in the game. for another few shots and they smile more and get more relaxed.