Directing Poses - a guide to Couples Portraiture by Caldeh Media

The absolute goal is to Create moments for your Subjects.

With enough experience we conclude that the best way to capture portraits of couples is to keep them doing simple actions.

This is of course, whenever you get a chance to photograph them in a portraiture environment. On Wedding days, sometimes couples don’t have time or simply forget about doing dedicated portraits, so unless the couple states they do not want portraits (which is rare) it is out job as photographers to make sure these moments occur.

So whenever you get the couple to yourself for a few precious minutes, the goal is to maintain their attention on performing simple instructions which must be given by the photographer (or assistant director if its the case).

Some examples of simple actions are:

• “put your ring hand on his/her shoulder”

• “close your eyes”

• “stand facing each other”

• “say something to her ear”

• “face each other and look into their eyes”

“Stand next to each other, Look at each other, approach”

The key is to try to keep the couple entertained with simple actions, that can be repeated over and over. Keeping a conversation with them and specially staying open to any suggestions or ideas they may have for photos. Often times subjects feel “smart“ or “useful“ whenever they bring up a “photo idea“ and the photographer shoots it.

The way we typically approach couple’s photography is as if we’re recreating scenes from movies. Describing the moment we’re trying to shoot, communicating it to the couple and shooting as quickly as possible, starting even seconds before they begin each action. These prior seconds before they “perform“ the required action often produces natural and spontaneous gestures, looks and body poses.

photoshoot of a live surprise proposal

An example of how to propose a scene can be:

1. bride is looking at her flowers alone (shoot)

2. looks up and notices something in the distance (shoot)

3. from the background the groom walks into frame (wider frame and shoot)

4. instruct the groom to approach the bride (shoot)

5. couple meets and groom puts hair behind bride’s ear (shoot)

6. couple touch foreheads (shoot)

7. etc

We find that narrating action by action in a confident and paced way, helps make each moment feel like a new experience for the couple, as most people usually don’t do dedicated photoshoots like that. What we want is to turn the photoshoot into an experience they are the protagonists of.

Guiding the couple and narrating each moment also helps the photographer keep track of getting all the necessary photos they may need. If you feel the couple is a but uncomfortable, start with poses where they’re looking at each other before doing shots looking at the camera.

Compliments are mandatory! Positive comments about their outfit details, their reactions, posing skills, etc are fundamental to dissipate any insecurities or discomfort from being in front of the camera. Whenever someone feels like their doing a good job, its likely they’ll want to keep doing it for longer, and in the case of brides and grooms on their wedding day, the time available to make creative or posed shots is extremely limited.

Ultimately photographing couples on their wedding day requires a deep sensitivity to know what to ask, where and how. In addition to being able to operate your camera equipment to get the best results in constantly changing moments/environments.

The Photographer is also a Protagonist!

Keep in mind that the photographer is also a protagonist on a wedding day. People expect the photographer to be there and to always have ideas whenever they’re asked. We prefer the “documentarian“ approach to covering weddings, as this provides more real-life scenes to photograph. But in 99% of weddings the photographer will have to step in and require moments such as the group shots, family shots and the couple’s portraits.

So, dress up like the artist you are, double check your bags before going to the event and once you’re there, keep your check-list close and your sensitivity high. Be allies with wedding planners, Video Crews, DJ’s, entertainment crews and anyone else participating in making the event possible. Constant communications can help plan the shots in a day full of love, friends and celebration.

They will remember you, thought your photos for the rest of their time, so enjoy it! 📸

Creative Portraits: Using Plants for visual Texture 🌿

Almost as out of luck I discovered the wonders of plants as foreground elements for portraiture. I find fascinating how something so simple can add such an effect to an image.

I will briefly explain how to use the right settings to add texture to your images.

Getting these type of images does not require a high technical level, its just a matter of keeping in mind a few minimum requirements.

1. Its usually best when you have a good subject, a person, an item, an animal, etc. It will provide context and give a story/meaning to your image

2. Use a lens with high aperture. This one is obvious , lenses that can open to f2.8 , f1.8 or less are great, yet remember lower f-stops can easily leave unwanted out-of-focus parts on the subject

   My ideal setting is to use a focal length of at least 70mm along an aperture between f2 and f3.5
   

   I prioritize a high focal-length over a low f-stop. My ideal combination is f2.8 at 85mm or 135mm

   This range renders most faces fully in focus and drastically adds bokeh to my foreground… Love it!

3. Make sure your shutter-speed is fast enough , use a medium ISO value should be a good way to go (between 400 and 1000 is good for sunlit scenarios)

Picture taken under shaded sun, at 85mm at f.2.8 - 1/1600sec - ISO250

overcast sky, 10m away from subject at f2.8 , 200mm

Another great use of flowers, leafs and plants is to create shadows on your subject

I guarantee next time you go out for shooting, you’ll be looking out to place your subject in the middle of tree-branches and leafs!

Have fun!