Y’all… this weekend was something else! On Friday morning, Luke left for the weekend, so he had a busy weekend hanging out with his awesome family and getting some much deserved relaxation time! He does so much for us, so I’m super glad he got to get away and take a break from everything… but gosh am I glad we’re back in the same place today! 😉 While he was away, I got to do three sessions for people I just LOVE, spend time with my sweet family, and maybe even stop in for a hair appointment to get my hair all ready for fall! ????
I’m already dying to share gorgeous images from this past weekend, and we have a full shoot schedule this week, too! Let’s just say the blog will be looking pretty dang gorgeous throughout the end of September and all of October… if only you could see our calendar for this month! Goodness gracious!
Today, I wanted to chat with you guys about something that applies both to our BRIDES and to other PHOTOGRAPHERS! This topic is the “in-between” moments that take place both during sessions and on wedding days, and I know I’ll be utilizing this concept throughout all of our sessions and weddings for the end of 2016! So… what are these moments, and why do they matter so much?
Ever since I launched my business in 2011, I’ve found myself sneaking little photos of my couples during random parts of sessions. Of course, when photographing a couple, photos of them looking directly at the camera, at each other, snuggling, and more are super important. But one thing that a lot of photographers MISS and a lot of brides WANT are photos of those in-between moments the two of them share.
This moment might be the way the couple holds hands while walking towards you, how he holds her close, a nuzzle, or any number of things! Here are THREE of the ways we work to capture these hugely important, but easily missed, moments during our sessions AND on wedding days!
1. Give them time and space
At least once or twice during an engagement session, I will tell our couple that I’m about to direct them into a pose, then move around them for a minute for some shots. I tell them that they can talk, laugh, slow dance a little, or do whatever they’d like to during this portion of the session, and this is when I capture photos like the ones below! I usually position the couple so that the guy’s arms are around his girl’s waist and her hands are around her neck, OR her arms are linked around his arm. This allows me to photograph that sparkle on her hand… bonus!!
2. Look for moments within each pose
During each pose, I think about ways I can capture a good in-between shot of the couple! For example, if the couple is standing with the girl’s back to the guy’s chest, and his arms are resting on her shoulders, she can place her hands on his arms, then lean in close, and this creates a shot for me like these! I love these shots… they are perfect, sweet moments that convey so much love.
3. Encourage movement
This is one of my favorite tips! If we direct a couple to walk towards us while holding hands, we can capture photos of just their hands, or of their hands, while showing some parts of their expressions. Photos like these are not only intimate and adorable, but they are ideal for brides to display at a wedding, print on a save the date, or for photographers to utilize on social media and in a blog post!
What in-between moments do you look for during your shoots?! We’d love to hear! Be on the lookout for some cute sessions this week!
