Kristen and Scott E-session

mmmatt

Hey guys,
First off I should say this is a 2nd shoot with this couple. I think they were the stiffest, least affectionate couple I have ever tried to shoot. Their schedules were such that they rarely had the same evenings off and after the 3rd scheduled shoot was looking like rain we deceided to shoot indoors and picked the reception hall. It was a disaster! People everywhere, we only had access to hallways and stairways and a couple of balconys. It was thunderstorms and tornado warnings outside. The hotel even let off the siren at one point and instructed everyone in the hotel to go to the lower stairways. I was out of my element, they were nervous, people were everywhere, and we were limited to areas that weren't that great to shoot in regardless!

So for the first time in my career I refused to give them any pictures from the shoot and told them we needed to get together again. They understood, the MOB was worried that I didn't know what the hell I was doing, and it was not a good start to our relationship together. We set another day to shoot at our original location, and here is the end result. Clients are super happy, and I am as well. Please let me know what you think! Any c&c is appreciated!

01.


01B.


02.


03.


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05.


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07.


08.


09.


10.


Thanks for looking!

Matt

nicoleshilliday

They were defiantly doing better as the shoot went on.
Number 7, even though it's a bad angle of the bride I really like this shot. Number 9 is by far the winner in this group.
Your story proves the point on how important engagement session can be for most couples. I am sure they will be ready to go come the wedding day!

Kinkajou

They definitely do look relaxed and comfortable. They seem to be a low-key type of couple, and it can be hard to show the temperament AND the affection, and I think you did a great job! 1b and 8 are my favs... gotta love shots in a beautiful field

ian408

I like #4 and #10. #4 because each has an expression that is their own yet conveys a common thought. #10 is a nice silhouette.

mmmatt

Well, I consider the fact that 3 different people had all different faves to be a good thing! Nicole, I like 7 as well just because it was real and they were actually being playful there. there were 3 keepers in the series and the more conventional one was a better angle on her, but I like her reaction there. 9 was a crop of a horizontal image with a tractor in the background and I couldn't clone it out to save my life. Looking now it is a little noisy so I may tweak it more yet. Your point about the importance of an e-session is a good one. Shooting them for the first time on wedding day would have been really tough for sure.

Kinkajou, the fields were not really fields... cattails on the side of the driveway, and a small butterfly garden in the yard. I guess it worked! Ha. And yes, they are VERY low-key.

Ian, I agree with you on #4... that and the first two are my faves.

Thanks for the comments guys. Another thing to note also is that she is 2 or 3 inches taller than he is... did you guys catch that or did I hide it pretty well?

Matt

Darren Troy C

Really like 01b and #8.

mpaulie

Hey Matt, I like 1 and 8! Great job taking on the challenge and realizing a decision needed to be made to re-shoot so you can show them the great work you do.

trevorb

I really like the composition on 1b and it’s a really nice moment as well. Love the lighting on #9.

mmmatt

Thanks guys!

matt

urbanaries

Love the reshoot. 2 and 7 are my favorites....

with #7, I think she could benefit from a little PS help (let's face it, hardly anyone looks good from this angle!

mmmatt

urbanaries wrote: »

Love the reshoot. 2 and 7 are my favorites....

with #7, I think she could benefit from a little PS help (let's face it, hardly anyone looks good from this angle!

Nice! Thanks for that. Was that just cloning out the lines or did you liquefy too? I'm really bad at body manipulation and have gotten to where I don't ever even try anymore. Here is the more proper image from this series... I just liked the playfulness in that one. In this one it shows my prefered way to ps things like that... avoid them!

11.

kyeezie

I keep changing my mind on which one I like best and why. 1B is my favorite. I love how happy she looks in 3. I like 5 just because and 10 is gorgeous. And I like all the others one for the already stated reasons. The MOB shouldn't be worried after that!

Edit: And I loooove 11!

urbanaries

mmmatt wrote: »

Nice! Thanks for that. Was that just cloning out the lines or did you liquefy too? I'm really bad at body manipulation and have gotten to where I don't ever even try anymore. Here is the more proper image from this series... I just liked the playfulness in that one. In this one it shows my prefered way to ps things like that... avoid them!

I think 7 is a far superior image. The smooshing of her face with his hand is worse than the bad (fixable) angle on her.

I did use liquify and cloning. PM sent.

Lynne

WillCAD

My faves are #8 and #10.

mmmatt

thanks will!

Matt

tenoverthenose

Matt you have some great frames here. I know how unfun it is to have an unfun couple. Personally, I feed of the energy and vibe that my subject puts out... so when they are down...

Here's my thoughts, my tastes, not for everyone, yada yada...
1a. They are too vertically centered, crop the top of the photo off and it gets stronger. A bit soft though.

1b. I like the balance of comp here. The big weed on upper right is distracting.

2. The tonality of the BW conversion is too similar between the couple and the plants. The couple blends in too much.

3. Left side of the frame looks blown. This will look worse printed.

4. I like the connection with the groom, brides eyes don't work for me. Try to have her look up or completely close her eyes in his arms.

5. No posts growing out of peoples heads.

6. I like this. Next time, get lower & put the couple more to the right and have the line of the grass lead to the couple.

8. This is really close. Make sure their faces/heads are in a clean space.

9. I see a nervous / unfun groom

10. Crop the bottom half of the photo off, make a large print and hang it on the wall. Show new clients, make more money. Excellent. Maybe have the groom tilt his head a bit towards the bride next time?

mmmatt

Thanks Pat! I really appreciate you taking the time. Good suggestions and tips my friend.

matt

mmmatt

Here are a few pages from their guest book. these pages are all on the left side with a signing page on the right.

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B7.