I am new to the Engagement & Wedding Photography scene (started in Automotive Photography-odd transition I know) and I would like to share a few photos with all of you more seasoned photographers. Feedback is very much appreciated.

The first bunch of photos are from an Engagement shoot. I know the couple well so that made it very easy to capture who they are as a couple. They were extremely happy with their photos!

The second set of photos are also for a couple I know well. I was not the official wedding photographer. In fact, I was there to do Bridal Party make-up so there are many pre wedding photos as you can see. This was a perfect opportunity for me to photograph a wedding without the added pressure. The couple was also very happy with their photos and pleased that I was able to have them edited and delivered in less than 24 hours from their wedding date.

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okay 1st off the engagement shots with him shirtless...really need to go. It screams "cheezy". Otherwise you have some good stuff going on. You have some different and great processing going on here though I would appreicate more sharpness in some shots. Did you add the blur or were you using a TS lesn on few or is it processed blur?

Shirtless was the couple's idea. Not my suggestion. They wanted them for their bathroom :) I have to listen to the client no matter how cheesy it may be.

Most of the blurring is in post editing. I like the look. The couple in the engagement photos asked for it to be very heavy. Most of the wedding photos are unedited with the exception of making some photos B&W... so no post blurring there.

Thank you for the feedback.

Also, these photos are quite crisp on my website. The image quality is toned down a lot once the boarder is added and then hosted to Photobucket. To view them in their natural state you can visit my website. Here is the link for the Engagement Photos and the link for the Wedding Photos.

Originally Posted by Crystal Eve Shirtless was the couple's idea. Not my suggestion. They wanted them for their bathroom :) I have to listen to the client no matter how cheesy it may be. Most of the blurring is in post editing. I like the look. The couple in the engagement photos asked for it to be very heavy. Most of the wedding photos are unedited with the exception of making some photos B&W... so no post blurring there. Thank you for the feedback.

I like bokeh as well..I am a bokeh junkie. But the heavy blurring is spice in my pallete (sp?) not the main course (but you have to please the couple!) By the way where was the ceremony? It looks lile it was done in forest?

Originally Posted by Crystal Eve ...Most of the blurring is in post editing. I like the look. The couple in the engagement photos asked for it to be very heavy. Most of the wedding photos are unedited with the exception of making some photos B&W... so no post blurring there. Thank you for the feedback.

The question is, how embarrassed will you be to have done "the look" in 5 years? Maybe you'll just laugh and say "hey, that was popular at the time" ...but personally, I try to be a little more timeless.

So, at the very least, keep un-blurred images on hand, and I would go as far as to say that you should also deliver un-blurred images to the clients. Because that look may not be the hot trend in a few years...

Trust me on this one. I've been around for at least 5 years, and have studied the trends over the past 10-20 years. You want to go for timeless, or at least ALSO deliver "timeless" separately, when the couple asks for the latest hip processing style.

=Matt=

Originally Posted by Matthew Saville The question is, how embarrassed will you be to have done "the look" in 5 years? Maybe you'll just laugh and say "hey, that was popular at the time" ...but personally, I try to be a little more timeless. So, at the very least, keep un-blurred images on hand, and I would go as far as to say that you should also deliver un-blurred images to the clients. Because that look may not be the hot trend in a few years... Trust me on this one. I've been around for at least 5 years, and have studied the trends over the past 10-20 years. You want to go for timeless, or at least ALSO deliver "timeless" separately, when the couple asks for the latest hip processing style. =Matt=

Noted. This particular session was delivered just as the client ordered. I will deliver both in the future so that the client has options. Who knows, they may prefer the timeless look more than the trendy option.

Hi Crystal,
It would be super helpful to comment on your photos if they were numbered.

But, the one I LOVE is the pillow fight shot.... Gorgeous! Just the right balance of motion blur and sharpness.
(Have to agree with Matthew's comments about blur & timelessness.)

Originally Posted by Crystal Eve Also, these photos are quite crisp on my website. The image quality is toned down a lot once the boarder is added and then hosted to Photobucket. To view them in their natural state you can visit my website. Here is the link for the Engagement Photos and the link for the Wedding Photos.

I went to your wedding site..I compared the closeup photo of the brides face on here and on the site..they look identical by the way

I think they look very good. I agree that the the T/S look is a little much. I am curious how you did it in PS. I think in a lot of them you have very good color. I agree with Qarik that the shirtless engagement photos are a little odd. I think you did a good job though!

Originally Posted by heatherfeather Hi Crystal, It would be super helpful to comment on your photos if they were numbered. But, the one I LOVE is the pillow fight shot.... Gorgeous! Just the right balance of motion blur and sharpness. (Have to agree with Matthew's comments about blur & timelessness.)

Photos are numbered now :) The pillow fight one is my favorite. I still can't believe champagne was not spilled!

Originally Posted by Qarik I went to your wedding site..I compared the closeup photo of the brides face on here and on the site..they look identical by the way

I know #10 is not as perfect as it could be but this was not a posed shot. She was moving when I took it. If you think that the rest are as unfocused then I have my work cut out for me!

Originally Posted by Dooginfif20 I think they look very good. I agree that the the T/S look is a little much. I am curious how you did it in PS. I think in a lot of them you have very good color. I agree with Qarik that the shirtless engagement photos are a little odd. I think you did a good job though!

Thank you!

Yes, the shirtless photos are obviously up for debate but if you knew the couple, it is not out of character for them. To their friends and family, these were their favorite shots :) To all of you, not so much.

The blurred edges were not done in PS. I rarely edit my photos and when I do, I use Picasa. I use photoshop for a lot of things but photo editing is rather time consuming. I try to keep my photos as close to how I originally took them as humanly possible.

Originally Posted by Matthew Saville Trust me on this one. I've been around for at least 5 years, and have studied the trends over the past 10-20 years. You want to go for timeless, or at least ALSO deliver "timeless" separately, when the couple asks for the latest hip processing style. =Matt=

Hi there,
Wow so many photos... I will only chime in on the ones that bugged me..LOL keep in mind that non photographers will love the work you do.. in here.. you've jumped into a tank of man eating fish..LOL That being said I'll have a bite or two..ok nibble..
Your engagement shots.. I like, minus the ones with shirt off.. despite what the client wants, I'd not post these on your website.. This is a client specific like, not a popular by demand thing. Close ups of the brides face.. I'm a guy but I'm pretty sure no bride wants a record of even the slightest blemish on their face especially on their wedding day.. avoid those unless its a "Just for fun laugh later" thing. Same with feet, they tend to be dry, lord knows flakey.. I even spotted hair between the last two toes of her left foot. The greens in the other photos appear to be too heavy in green. The table setting.. Stunning set up, but I'd have gone in for some close ups of the glasses, maybe get some of the green leaves and place a few on a plate with a glass shot and taken at a distance. Ok.. I'm done.. I ate more than I intended. Again Keep in mind...that here you will be nickpicked.. its how we as fellow photographers improve our art. I've read alot in this forum, learned alot and I hope I can only pass on the same kind advice given me.

Originally Posted by Crystal Eve Noted. This particular session was delivered just as the client ordered. I will deliver both in the future so that the client has options. Who knows, they may prefer the timeless look more than the trendy option.

Don't get me wrong, trendy is awesome WHILE it is trendy. If anything, it's a great way to make money, and hey business is business.

I only point out the value of a more timeless style for the sake of long-term client satisfaction. If you want to build a business, you gotta think about how you'll be getting clients in 5 and 10+ years down the road. For example, I'd rather not get referrals from clients who saw me doing partial B&W however many years ago...

;-)

=Matt=

Some lovely photos here. You have the knack of making people relaxed and natural.

Yikes! You guys sure know how to make a girl feel nervous! Thank you for the feedback.

Originally Posted by Crystal Eve Yikes! You guys sure know how to make a girl feel nervous! Thank you for the feedback.

No need to be nervous Crystal! Your work is good. The above are just giving you their honest feedback. You can use it or ignore it. It's up to you to decide if the feedback is valid or not.

You captures some great expressions in the wedding photos Crystal. The pillow fight photo is wonderful!

Originally Posted by gluwater No need to be nervous Crystal! Your work is good. The above are just giving you their honest feedback. You can use it or ignore it. It's up to you to decide if the feedback is valid or not. You captures some great expressions in the wedding photos Crystal. The pillow fight photo is wonderful!

Ahhh! Finally a comment that doesn't make my chest hurt :)

Thank you!

I do appreciate the feedback, most of which I am taking. Some things I am more stubborn on. Holistically I agree with the feedback given and will use it in my next round of photos. Will I post another thread? Probably not!

Originally Posted by Crystal Eve Ahhh! Finally a comment that doesn't make my chest hurt :) Thank you! I do appreciate the feedback, most of which I am taking. Some things I am more stubborn on. Holistically I agree with the feedback given and will use it in my next round of photos. Will I post another thread? Probably not!

I dont want you to not post threads! Trust me I have been slammed with negative criteques many times before! You take them and learn from them! I think your wedding shots turned out awesome by the way!

Originally Posted by Dooginfif20 I dont want you to not post threads! Trust me I have been slammed with negative criteques many times before! You take them and learn from them! I think your wedding shots turned out awesome by the way!

Thank you for the compliment!

I have an idea of how to change things now and I will take it and run with it. Posting threads is not good for my head! Each time I see a post has been made I say "Balls! Not another one!" See, not good for my head ;) I will stick to commenting on other people's posts.