I would love some advice on shooting a disproportionate couples e-session.

Tay · March 3, 2010

I am doing my first e-session later this month

my friend is getting married, and has been kind and supportive enough to agree to let me practice on them, as I really want to get into wedding photography someday. I'm so excited to give this a shot

but there's one thing I am somewhat perplexed by. The man is significantly taller than the woman, here's a photo of them so you can see:

So my very basic, typical ideas of them nuzzling and kissing while standing seems like it's going to be difficult, or at least look awkward. Have any of you ever shot disproportionate couples like these two? What are some good posing ideas that will help with this?

While we're at it, she's letting me practice with bridals and boudoir shots as well, so if you have any advice or suggestions on any of these three sets, please don't hesitate! Your favorite tutorials, links, galleries, book suggestions, I'll take it all! I want to be brimming with ideas when I go into this, and I'd love inspiration and tips

lightp8nter · March 4, 2010

Try the old hollywood trick
Many a leading man was propped up on a small stool to enhance his presence. No reason whey you could not bring a 6-8 inch platform for her.

Agnieszka · March 4, 2010

Think about some poses where both are sitting next to each other (I bet the height difference would get smaller). Also there are some poses where you could have her walking on something higher / him holding her hand (always cute) ... or he could sit, and she's behind him giving him a hug ... there are many different things you could do, just surf around the web a bit, and get inspired

But do take a couple photos of just them being them, the way they are, they fell in love despite the height difference after all, so it should be allllll goood

Surfdog · March 4, 2010

I had a similar problem with a recent e-shoot. The pics they chose were them sitting with him in back and her in front. That seemed to minimize the size difference.

Surfdog · March 4, 2010

Another...

Surfdog · March 4, 2010

This kinda worked...

WillCAD · March 4, 2010

Those all turned out great, Danny. I think poses like that, and a few half-apples (movie slang for a half apple-crate stand used by short actors) will solve Tay's problem.

I've also seen lots of pics in e-shoots where the couple are standing apart - background-foreground, opposite sides of a doorway or other fixture, etc - which can minimize the effect of the height difference.