My first paid photoshoot! HELP!

DKC Photography · Jun 7, 2011

Alright so Saturday I am doing a couple's engagement pictures and I really want them to come out PERFECT since they are paying me! I know the girl from high school and she is a sweetheart! We plan on going to the college that they met at and also around to some other nice places in the area. Any suggestions on time of day, poses, props and techniques?!

I am also doing some pics of her in her dress and wanted to incorporate an antique luggage set I have. HELP ME!!

Bitter Jeweler · Jun 7, 2011

You are getting paid and don't know time of day, poses, props, or techniques?

Maybe you should rethink that?

CBURKE · Jun 7, 2011

^ this guy is such great help!

I'm still new to this so I would not be much help. Good luck!

Bitter Jeweler · Jun 7, 2011

CBURKE said:
^ this guy is such great help!

I'm still new to this so I would not be much help. Good luck!

Well, let me ask you something.
How willing are you to PAY somebody to do ANYTHING for you, if they don't even know the BASICS?
Time of day? Anytime! Well, only if you really know how to control light.
Poses? A little time googling engagement photos will yield so many more results than anyone can offer up here. Poses can often be context (location) sensitive, soooooo???
Props? Well that one is pretty wide open, ISN'T IT?
Techniques? Really? Should I just suggest getting proper exposure?

gsgary · Jun 7, 2011

CBURKE said:
^ this guy is such great help!

I'm still new to this so I would not be much help. Good luck!

I hope you are not being funny, Bitter is a star

gsgary · Jun 7, 2011

Would you like us to come and shoot it for you ?

DKC Photography · Jun 7, 2011

Bitter Jeweler said:
You are getting paid and don't know time of day, poses, props, or techniques?

Maybe you should rethink that?

Well I've already got a time and place in mind but I am an amateur so I was just asking for a little help from those who have a little more experience. And yes I have the luggage as a prop just wondering if it's a good idea. Please don't be rude I'm just asking for some suggestions.

gsgary · Jun 7, 2011

I don't think the luggage will much help unless she is going on holiday

Vtec44 · Jun 7, 2011

gsgary said:
Would you like us to come and shoot it for you ?

You crack me up...

I'm new at this too but I totally agree, you need to at least have some ideas of what you need to do for your client before taking on the assignment. To me it's easier to take pictures of people you know than of strangers. Since you know the girl, you should talk to her what kind of "theme" or "look" they're going for then go from there. Also, scout the location and test for lighting and shooting areas. At least that's something a new guy like myself would do.

DKC Photography · Jun 7, 2011

Bitter Jeweler said:
Well, let me ask you something.
How willing are you to PAY somebody to do ANYTHING for you, if they don't even know the BASICS?
Time of day? Anytime! Well, only if you really know how to control light.
Poses? A little time googling engagement photos will yield so many more results than anyone can offer up here. Poses can often be context (location) sensitive, soooooo???
Props? Well that one is pretty wide open, ISN'T IT?
Techniques? Really? Should I just suggest getting proper exposure?

Yeah I get what you are saying about paying someone and they not know the basics. I know the basics and I've had some successful photoshoots I've just been doing them for free because I'm a beginner. I'm finally feeling confident enough to do a paid shoot. I was mostly curious about the time of day, here in Texas the lighting can be pretty harsh so I was just wondering what time would the lighting be easiest to shoot in. Thanks for your help.
-Debbie

tirediron · Jun 7, 2011

Actually, I think the luggage could work well... anything like a big, old, first-class steamer trunk? You could have him opening the trunk to find her inside... packing to run away. Endless possibilities, BUT, as Bitter pointed out, you've been hired to do a PROFESSIONAL shoot (Make no mistake, you're being paid, therefore it is a PROFESSIONAL shoot and the client is entitled to PROFESSIONAL results) and you don't know what is an appropriate time of day?

tirediron · Jun 7, 2011

DKC Photography said:
Yeah I get what you are saying about paying someone and they not know the basics. I know the basics...

I'm going to respectfully disagree. This is as basic as the exposure triangle and depth of field. If you do not know about 'golden light' and the 'golden hour', I feel you're out of your depth. Please search those terms for more information. In short, your two best times are [about] and hour after sunrise, and [about] and hour before sunset.

What do you have for supplemental lighting equipment? Do you at least have a few large reflectors?

DKC Photography · Jun 7, 2011

tirediron said:
I'm going to respectfully disagree. This is as basic as the exposure triangle and depth of field. If you do not know about 'golden light' and the 'golden hour', I feel you're out of your depth. Please search those terms for more information. In short, your two best times are [about] and hour after sunrise, and [about] and hour before sunset.

What do you have for supplemental lighting equipment? Do you at least have a few large reflectors?

Yes I have some reflectors but its hard to afford anything else right now (yay college for draining my bank account) and I haven't heard about golden hour, but thank you for letting me know about this stuff. Every suggestion helps!