Original subtitles

Let's talk about portraits.

Okay, so how do you get couples who

want portraits?

And how do you deal with those who

say, we don't like posing, we're not very

photo friendly.

I mean, they all say that, right?

I suppose for me, this starts with showing

the type of portraits you take and want

to take.

Remember, couples will see those images and be

influenced by them.

So if I want my couples to feel

comfortable and relaxed, I need to show those

types of frames.

But setting that tone to get those relaxed

and comfortable frames actually starts with the initial

chat or zoom call and explaining to them

how I work on the day, putting their

mind at ease and letting them know from

the off that it isn't a fashion shoot.

We're just going to get out of the

way and hang out for 10 minutes.

I tell them we'll do two to three

10 minute windows.

It's never an hour away from their guests.

If you currently do that, I want you

to rethink your strategy.

Keep them short and the story of the

day can flow.

You don't miss an hour of reception time.

Couples don't get bored and you get a

variety of different light situations.

If it's a full day wedding for me,

I'll typically do a quick five to 10

minute shoot after the confetti and initial reception

hooks, then 10 to 15 minutes as guests

move to sit down to eat and then

a final 10 to 15 minutes around sunset

time.

And during each window, I'll always apply these

principles.

One, if you shoot manual, get your base

settings dialed in first, then get the safe

shot, middle of the frame.

Don't try anything too crazy or creative.

It will put you at ease knowing you've

got some safe frames already in the can.

And you'll be surprised at how often the

simple frames can be the most beautiful and

aesthetic.

Two, start by walking away and just get

some shots of them from behind.

Holding hands, moving slowly though.

Don't start the session by gunning them in

the face straight off the bat.

That's only going to be intimidating for them.

Three, talk to them.

Don't forget you need to relax and breathe.

Remember how you can influence the scene here.

Four, lens choices.

Avoid changing them.

You want to remain efficient and in control.

Just keep it simple.

And if you want to use a different

lens, use it on the second portrait window.

Just focus on executing the frames with the

two bodies and lenses you have.

Don't over complicate the window.

Five, posing techniques and sheets.

Bin them.

Yeah, I said that.

Put them in the bin.

This is one of the biggest questions I

get from photographers.

How do I pose my couples?

Just let them be them.

The moment you try and tell couples how

to position their body, put your hand there,

they feel awkward.

The only prompts I ever give my couples

are these.

Stand there, face each other, get closer, get

closer, closer.

That's it.

Six, remain positive.

If it's not working, if the frames aren't

what you had in mind and you don't

like them on review, don't tell the couple

that.

Just smile and move on.

Kill the idea or location fast and find

something else.

Finally, point seven, shooting into the light.

This is the time when you can create

something pretty special because your average Uncle Bob

doesn't know how to shoot into the sun.

A few tips before we get to shooting

at this time.

First off, use an app such as PhotoPills

and plan where and when the sun will

set.

Even if the weather isn't great, it only

needs to dip beneath the clouds for 10

minutes and if you miss it, you'll forever

be kicking yourself.

Also, try and plan it into the day

and give your couple some notice before the

sun starts to set.

I can guarantee that when you tell them

it's time, Auntie Betty is going to stop

the bride as she walks past her and

tell her a story from 1986 that requires

at least 15 minutes of attention.

In this shot here, Lorraine and Mark had

rain all day.

I mean, all day.

But as the sunset time approached, I spotted

the sun creeping out from under the clouds,

so I rushed to tell them and Lorraine's

response was, let me go and put some

makeup on.

I told her she didn't have the time.

If you go and put makeup on, the

sun will be gone.

They need to be outside now.

I'm not afraid to put my foot down

for the shot.

We managed about 10 to 12 frames before

the sun set behind that tree.

This is also your chance for flair, so

shoot wide open, 1.2, 1.4 if

you have it, and remember to hunt that

background.

Okay, that's it.

See you in a bit for the final

shooting episode.