To Pose or Not to Pose

One of the more common requests I get from brides is that they don't want their pictures to look posed.

I completely understand where this sentiment comes from as many formal wedding pictures look very stiff and unrelaxed - the "posed" look that these brides want to avoid.  But it does not have to be that way !  And, hopefully, with Patrick Grannan Photography it is not.

I describe my own style as a hybrid and a mix between formal and candid; between posed and not posed.  Recently I asked an impartial observer and the description I received was "candid."   That was the reaction even though a significant percent of the photos viewed were in fact posed photos.

The trick is that just because a photo is posed it does not need to "look posed".  There is certainly a place in wedding photography for the traditional formal posed shots.  In fact the posed group shots and other traditional shots (Bride with her mother for example) are often the most predictably purchased for reprints (especially by the mother of the bride).  I certainly include those traditional "posed" images as part of every wedding that I photograph.  But even then I try to get the people in the photos to relax so that the photos don't look too posed and stiff.

But my favorite photos are often the ones where they are only very loosely posed.  The photos where we set up a basic situation, give only slight direction and then capture the magic that happens semi-naturally.  Most of the time these photos do not "look posed" but they really are.  Flower girls are wonderful for setting up some of these "posed without looking posed" photos as the two examples with this post show.

Finally as the reception progresses I will tend to shoot more true "candids" - especially on the dance floor where people tend to be more relaxed.  These are often favorites - the father of the bride dance with the bride for example is always popular along with the old favorite cutting the cake.

The Value of an Engagement Photography Session

Studies show that more couples become engaged during the period around the Holidays in December through Valentines Day.  With this in mind I thought it would be a good time to write a few words about the Engagement Photography Session.

Not all couples choose to have engagement photos taken.  This can be for many reasons.  Maybe the budget is tight and they don't feel it is worth the extra expense.  Or maybe they haven't selected a photographer yet.  Or maybe it simply slips through the cracks and does not get scheduled.

Speaking as a photographer I think this is a big mistake.  First, relative to the cost of wedding photographs, the engagement session is usually fairly inexpensive.  Many photographers will offer deep discounts on an engagement session or include it in their wedding packages so cost should not be a reason for not having engagement photos taken,

But more importantly the engagement photography session offers a chance for the newly engaged couple and the photographer to get to know each other. 

The engagement session is certainly less structured than the wedding day itself and by comparison the stress level is FAR less.  Couples are able to express their own unique personalities in the engagement session in ways that would be very difficult on the wedding day.  It is easier to include unique elements that reflect your personality.  As an example some couples who have children may wish to have the children included in some of the engagement pictures.  Some couples bring along their pets and they can be part of the engagement portraits.

The photographer can learn a lot about the individual personalities of the bride and groom to be in a more relaxed atmosphere of an engagement session.  Also the engagement session gives te photographer a chance to see what poses and lighting can work best for an individual couple.  He can also learn whether te couple is comfortable posing and what makes them more comfortable.  All of this can be invaluable when it comes time for te wedding photographs.

But most of all the engagement photography session gives the engaged couple a chance to "try out" the photographer and be sure the photographer and his style are a good fit for the couple.

 

The many uses of an engagement photo are almost n added bonus.  Many couples choose one or more images to use in their "save the date" cards (your photographer can help with that if you like).  The portraits from an engagement session are often ordered as blow ups or canvas prints and become treasured family portraits.  You can use the images to create a beautiful custom guest book for the wedding.  Some couples have poster sized prints made to decorate the reception.

In short the engagement photo session can be invaluable for both the engaged couple and the photographer.

A Fun Engagement Session

Having Fun with the Engagement Shoot

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I recently did an engagement photo session for Nick and her fiance Nick and they were willing to add a bit of fun to the session.  The result was some great pictures and a lot of fun - along with a little bit of wet !!

 One of my favorite places for portraits is the beach and I like to go around sunset because I love the light at that time of day.  The light - both just before and just after - sunset led to some spectacular portraits.  For this post I want to focus on the concept of how a little bit of fun can loosen up a photo shoot and lead to some great pictures as well.

At Big Corona Beach - as with much of the South Orange County coastline there are numerous rocks sitting at or near the waterline.  The water lapping over the rocks made for some interesting photos.

More importantly - Kristin and Nick were good sports when I asked them to take off their shoes and walk out so they were getting their feet wet.  It led to some wonderful candid facial expressions and some cold feet.  It also loosened them up and relaxed them for the rest of the shoot resulting in some memorable images.

As you can tell by their faces the water was cold.  But what you do not see in the pictures is where I had to stand to get the shot.  They got their ankles wet.  I was in the surge up to my mid thigh.  But it was worth it !!!

 

To see more images please visit www.weddingorangecountyphotographer.com