nissisigner

I may be doing an engagement portrait session soon and am looking for unique posing options, any suggestions?

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

You can google for suggestions, what you really want to do is get to know the couple, ask about their interests, and play off that. One thing to keep in mind is that 90% of the "enthusiast" photos have too much space between the couple. Get them close, tilt their heads towards each other. Basically, make them look like they actually like each other. They are the subjects, so don't try to get too artsy with backgrounds. If these end up in the paper, you won't be able to see them if the portrait is too far away

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Wearing noting but a veil and a bow tie? LOL :oops: :oops: :oops:

Bret Loc: Dayton Ohio

Maybe signing a pre-nup agreement......LOL.

nissisigner

Thanks for the feedback! Much appreciated.

jimberton Loc: Michigan's Upper Peninsula

excellent advice....get them close..make them look like they want to spend their lifetime together.

cherylpeters Loc: Kentucky

I have used Frames, Large wooden Letters of their initials. Take a latter to stand on and have them look up at you,Whatever their hobby's are.

nissisigner

Thank you so much for the great ideas!

nissisigner

Thank you, I really appreciate the ideas!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Doesn't sound good to me. The veil is OK, but a lady wearing a bow tie? Sounds a bit odd. :D

Michael O' Loc: Midwest right now

Late in the year for outside shooting, but could work if you're from a southern area. I do not do studio work, but prefer the natural lighting and green background of evergreen trees and thick tall green bushes.
It's not difficult to get soft lighting -- I don't even use reflectors. I use primarily my 85mm f1.2 Canon. Soft natural lighting seems to relax the subjects and lends itself to easy poses where they are looking at each other, maybe holding hands, or one with the arm around the other. The shots I've taken have had the subjects in INformal clothing, and that seems to relax them too -- it all seems so natural. Once started, about all you'll have to do is give them a spot in which to pose, then another, and then another. The smiles come naturally at each other. You can play with various lenses to get the point you want between super-sharp and soft focusing -- maybe some of both extremes, and bocah. The best always includes eyes of course. They like it too when the woman looks soft, receptive, and feminine, and the man looks manly and somehow protective. How you elicit that is up to you and the subjects of course -- no easy absolute answers or even suggestions. But if you take many, many shots, I'm betting your couple will treasure them almost as much as their formal wedding shots. Oh, and be sure to show the woman's ring finger hand on her guy's shoulder or hand somewhere in the maze of shots you take. These shoots are always fun and rewarding. Enjoy and
they will too. Michael O'
soccermick33@yahoo.com

Michael O' Loc: Midwest right now

Well if the guy is shy he can wear a veil as you surmise, and maybe the gal could artfully use a pair of bow ties.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I see a new type of engagement/wedding calendar market opening up. :D

dcrott

I also do outside pics only, I live in a rural area which has a lot of old unpainted buildings such as old country schools, some churches and a few old farmsteads left and the back round is great. Sometimes these old farmsteads have an old gate that is still standing that works well to frame the couple. These pics can be a little far away for the local news paper announcement so I just crop for that purpose. I mostly just drive around the area where the couple grew up and ideas seem pop up all over. The pics many times remind them of their childhood at the same time. Have also done the wedding pics using the same procedure. Best pics I ever did were at a lake cabin the brides family had when she was young. I do the shoot rather informally and the poses just seem come come naturally, you just have to be ready to shoot them when the opportunity presents itself. Sometimes these shoots can be a lot of fun for both me and the couple.