...to get the perfect expression? :)

When working with couples I've got a few tricks that I like to use to get the BLOCKED EXPRESSION I want from them for a nice portrait.  But, I also love looking at other people's portfolios and trying to figure out what they might have said to the couple to get the shot!  This is particularly true when the couple is doing something completely crazy that, without some type of "trick", you would never be able to setup.

One of my favorites with engagement sessions or wedding day pictures is to have the couple whisper silly or loving things in each other's ear.  It doesn't sound like much, but it almost always gets one of my favorite pictures of the session!

Another one is to ask some questions of the couple, like what they love most about the other... or the silliest thing you've ever seen them do... do you go #1 with the door open or closed? haha

So... as I'm sitting here thinking about a really fun couple I'm shooting this weekend (they wanted to dress up in SUMO outfits for their session, but they couldn't find any around here... ROFLMAO), I was just curious as to what everyone else keeps in their bag of tricks for their sessions - any type of session, I know we're not all wedding photogs!

=D

Burping and farting noises do the trick for me.

-Koa-

Boriken Warrior:

Burping and farting noises do the trick for me.

 

What Koa said!

I have used the wispering in the ear thing too.  Basically the things you said then you can get a candid look as they sheepishly think about the answer etc.

 What I wonder is how people suggest some of the more adventurous (sp) or risque photos I've seen.  Sometimes if hard to read what they're comfort levels are

It's hard for me to explain.  Anyone taking my class in Pittsburgh will get to see first hand how I work with clients.  For me, it is a lot less directing and lot more letting them be. I give some basic instructions when we start to shoot - hold hands a little more than usual, kiss a little bit longer, touch each other, look at each other, just enjoy being together.  I tell them how I work, that I am not up in their faces unless I need to be, that for the most part I want them to be them, and ignore me.  I wander, I might even completely ignore them, once in a while I will give direction.  A lot of times I put them in a place, give them a basic pose (face each other, back to chest, side by side, etc) and I might give them a topic to think about or discuss, or an action to do, and then I let them do it.

Not everyone is totally comfortable with this style, which is ok.  I have had a few sessions where I just have to direct every little movement, but I have fun with it.  I poke fun at them, I poke fun at myself.  I might fake a trip (I am a huge klutz anyway) to get their hearts started.  I ask about them, get to know them, tell them stories about me and my business. I might bring up other experiences I have had similar to them so they know they are not the only ones that are nervous in front of the camera.  I have them whisper things.  I have a handful of poses that I will walk them through that are sure to get them laughing (have them face away from each other, close eyes, then on the count of three move in for a kiss without opening their eyes; pick her up and spin her in the middle of the street, piggyback rides, etc).

My whole goal is to always be as unobtrusive as possible while getting the most natural reactions.  It's about having fun for me, and making my clients feel like this is something they do every day, and not once every 10 years.

Around here we battle not only the whole coming in for images as a couple but the fact that many have an amish heritage where pictures are considered a sin... Trying to get them comfortable can be quite interesting... I find that starting with a very simple relaxed pose helps... One thing that really seems to break the ice is having them face each other and touch noses... They can't help but giggle if they are looking at each other because you almost have to be crosseyed to look at someone when your noses are touching! 

Another thing I do is after that first comfortable "traditional" pose, I have them reverse it so that the girl is behind the guy and slightly taller than he is... then I tell her to put her arms around him  "kind of in a headlock.".

I follow that comment with "But make sure you don't squeeze too hard!" OF course about half of them do give a little squeeze and it gets the guy grinning too...

Another thing I like is taking a few shots of them holding hands walking away from me... If they are too stiff I just tell them ... forget I am here... just talk about something and I will let them walk a bit then tell them to turn around and start walking toward me but continue to just talk... then I have them turn away from me again... by then they are getting pretty relaxed... and about halfway down I will tell them to stop and just kiss... Often times that kiss doesn't look as spontaneous as I would have hoped so I tell them ... walk a little farther and this time don't face each other... just kind of stay where you are and lean in and kiss... It gets that foot up and gives a cuter look.

Chi_Town:

So... as I'm sitting here thinking about a really fun couple I'm shooting this weekend (they wanted to dress up in SUMO outfits for their session, but they couldn't find any around here... ROFLMAO), I was just curious as to what everyone else keeps in their bag of tricks for their sessions - any type of session, I know we're not all wedding photogs!

 

 

Chi-town,

Hey, I thought that whirley ball over on  West Fullerton had   Sumo wrestling?   Those are the suits they are looking for.

sjacobs:

What I wonder is how people suggest some of the more adventurous (sp) or risque photos I've seen.

That's kind of where I was going with this... I get some really quirky pictures once in a while that I love, but I notice there are some photographers that I'm a big fan of who seem to get those pictures EVERY time they do an engagement shoot.  It's hard to tell though what they could possibly have said to the couple to get the picture sometimes!

I do enjoy getting the typical loving couple type pictures... but I think it's time to progress towards something else now... something fun... something different... Oh well, if I think of anything this weekend I'll be sure to let yall know what works. hehe

Patrick:

Chi-town,

Hey, I thought that whirley ball over on  West Fullerton had   Sumo wrestling?   Those are the suits they are looking for.

I'm travelling for this shoot, I only shoot in the Chicago area about half the time... but honestly, I'm kinda glad they didn't have any sumo suits... don't tell them I said that, cuz they seemed pretty disappointed... lol :)

 Chi-town,

I think you could really have a niche  there!   corner the market and all 

Sumo-shoots. 

 

BTW,  Do you live in the City?

 I just started doing engagement/weddings, and with the few that I've done, I've found that if I can get them in a basic pose, then tell them to talk amongst themselves while I "try to get my exposure right", I can actually get some pretty natural, beautiful expressions.  If they think I am doing somethine else, they aren't as self-conscious about me being there.  I think that if you try to get them to do something that shoudl come naturally, you get those cheesy looks.  Let them talk, nuzzle with each other, kiss when they want to, etc... the images turn out way better than if I tell them what to talk about, or to kiss each other, etc...

I'll take a few images, with the classic "deer caught in the headlights" pose, and then say, "okay, great!"  90% of the time folks instantly relax, and that's when I get a fair amount of money shots.

One of my favorite lines is "guys... you're not being arraigned, it's not that bad!" and that usually gets a genuine smile and relaxed look as well.