Outdoors bridal portrait session - I'm thinking it turned out OK

Scott_Quier · April 22, 2007

Finally, after waiting 2 weeks for the rain to disappear (she did NOT want to risk ruining her gown before her big day) I had the distinct pleasure yesterday of shooting a bridal portait session with this young lady, Nicole. We really had a lot of fun and, even combatting the very hard light. It was so bright that Nicole had problems somtimes keeping her eyes open, But, I think we got some good ones in.

In a couple of weeks, we have an e-session at the beach and I am so looking forward to shooting her wedding in 4 weeks!

1. First comment - there's some wood railing behind her left arm that should/could be removed.

2. I'm not too sure about this one, but I love her expression.

3. I don't do a lot of them with this treatment (Midnight Sepia) as a little bit goes a long way. But, most brides haven't seen it so they like it a lot.

4. This one is cropped a little strange, but she wanted this one to show her ring.

5. But, I love B&W and I think this turned out ok. It has, for me, a kind of old-style look/feel to it, right down to the lack of a smile.

6. This is why she was having problems smiling towards the end. As the sun was getting lower, the flying bugs started coming out. What a trooper. I think we got her out of there before they starting biting her.

7. I'm also liking this one. Appropriately cropped and with all that empty space to right, I'm thinking it will work very well as a backdrop in the wedding album.

C&C is welcome and encouraged. Thanks.

Elaine · April 22, 2007

Don't have time to say much, other than

! I love #5!

Elaine

Ted Szukalski · April 22, 2007

Scott, the expression in the second photo takes the prize. NO amount of post processing will give you a joyful smile like that.

Scott_Quier · April 22, 2007

Elaine wrote:

Don't have time to say much, other than ! I love #5!

Elaine

Thanks Elaine. Around my house, B&W doesn't get much respect. A couple of weeks ago, I had a client ask me during an interview if I did any B&W. I nearly fell out of my chair! I like good B&W. I just saw gmonkeh's post (here) and that convinced me that I really, really need to look into PS CS3!

Ted Szukalski wrote:

Scott, the expression in the second photo takes the prize. NO amount of post processing will give you a joyful smile like that.

Cool thing is, Nicole has done some modeling work (something she didn't tell me until we were almost finished) and had just a bucketful of expressions. I am really looking forward to their wedding. The couple is just so much fun!

gmonkeh · April 22, 2007

Thanks for the reference Scott

Yeah the new CS3 B/W adjustment layer kicks butt. Theres also a plugin for photoshop that you might want to check out. It's called Nik Color Effex 2.0, it's a very handy tool.

I think #2 and #3 we're the best of this bunch. #1 is nice as well but it could have used a stronger fill source. I've used the midnight sepia action as well but I found it's a little strong for my taste. Have you tried running it on a copied layer then adjusting the opacity to taste?

Nice shots, and have fun with your next session.

Shane422 · April 22, 2007

#2 and 3 are my favs as well. I'm sure she'll give you a lot more great shots on the big day.

urbanaries · April 23, 2007

#2 and #3 are definitely the winners.

What a great feeling to establish a nice rapport with her before the big day, or even the engagement session? Nice!!!

I used to be a fan of midnight sepia too, it does feel a little dated, though. Try turning off that green cast (hue/saturation) step. There's also a Midnight Black action I have come to like better than the Sepia. Intensifies the colors without a cast. I do think the diffusion/glow result fits the image nicely.

Look fwd to seeing the engagement pics!

evoryware · April 23, 2007

Scott_Quier wrote:

5. But, I love B&W and I think this turned out ok. It has, for me, a kind of old-style look/feel to it, right down to the lack of a smile.

6. This is why she was having problems smiling towards the end. As the sun was getting lower, the flying bugs started coming out. What a trooper. I think we got her out of there before they starting biting her.

I like these two

except you lost a piece of her dress on #6

7. I'm also liking this one. Appropriately cropped and with all that empty space to right, I'm thinking it will work very well as a backdrop in the wedding album.

C&C is welcome and encouraged. Thanks.

Just wondering what location is the wedding going to be and what time. Hopefully they won't have to contest the bugs!

Scott_Quier · April 23, 2007

You have to look close, but in #6, she has her tongue sticking out and she's in the process of trying to remove one or more of the flying bugs from her mouth. This is definitely an out-take and why I'm not worried about having lost a portion of her gown. Really just a snap-shot as I was doing something, looked up to see her waving in front of her face and just "had to" grab the shot.

Bugs aren't going to be a concern. The wedding and reception are both indoors at the Chesepeake Convention Center in Chesepeake VA, about a mile from where these were shot.

As a P.S. (ok, I'm rambling on here, but I'm so excited!!!)

I just got an e-mail from the bride. To quote:

"These are beautiful!!! Just goes to show I picked the perfect photographer!! Can't wait to see how the engagement pictures turn out!!!! See you soon!
Thank you so much!!!"

As you can see, she contracted for a bridal session, an e-session, and the wedding. And, she's invited me to the rehearsal dinner - as a guest! I think she might be pleased and I couldn't be happier!

clap

Elaine · April 23, 2007

Scott_Quier wrote:

As a P.S. (ok, I'm rambling on here, but I'm so excited!!!)

I just got an e-mail from the bride. To quote:

"These are beautiful!!! Just goes to show I picked the perfect photographer!! Can't wait to see how the engagement pictures turn out!!!! See you soon!
Thank you so much!!!"

As you can see, she contracted for a bridal session, an e-session, and the wedding. And, she's invited me to the rehearsal dinner - as a guest! I think she might be pleased and I couldn't be happier!clap

That's so great, Scott! Well done!

evoryware · April 23, 2007

Scott_Quier wrote:

You have to look close, but in #6, she has her tongue sticking out and she's in the process of trying to remove one or more of the flying bugs from her mouth. This is definitely an out-take and why I'm not worried about having lost a portion of her gown. Really just a snap-shot as I was doing something, looked up to see her waving in front of her face and just "had to" grab the shot.

Bugs aren't going to be a concern. The wedding and reception are both indoors at the Chesepeake Convention Center in Chesepeake VA, about a mile from where these were shot.

Oh I know you aren't worried, I'm just thinking if it were my wife to be I'd definitely love that picture in it's full glory right on the cover of my album.

Technically perfect with an ugly facial expression
Maybe I should have smashed the pie in her face when I got married

Scott_Quier · April 24, 2007

evoryware wrote:

Oh I know you aren't worried, I'm just thinking if it were my wife to be I'd definitely love that picture in it's full glory right on the cover of my album. Technically perfect with an ugly facial expression
Maybe I should have smashed the pie in her face when I got married

Hmm - There's an idea. There's an old saying, "You can cover a world of sin with a good coat of paint." I could cover the fact that I missed a portion of the gown with a good vignette. I can propose to the groom the idea of putting that shot on the cover and observe the bride's reaction. This might an alternate source of revenue - extort additional $$ from the bride to keep it out of the album.:D

evoryware · April 24, 2007

For extra value also threaten to put it in Mom's album.

photogmomma · April 24, 2007

These are wonderful!!!

A few comments:

#2 - I think if you warm it up a tad you'll like it better. It's a gorgeous shot, it's just on the cool side.

#3 - I like this one a lot except for the green cast to it.

#4 - This looks a bit cool, too. Try warming it up and I think you'll get better results

Your B&W images are gorgeous! Those are my favorites....

Also try downloading Lightroom. I think you'll find that the color is more consistent - and you can always go into PS when you want to do some fun effects.

Awesome! I'm so glad she's pleased!!!

Desmond · April 24, 2007

I like the look of 5 , almost like a spotlight coming down from the sky behind her , and 7 is a nice breakaway from "correct" composition , a place to put some text maybe ? The trees behind her in 7 almost form the shape of a church window ....

Scott_Quier · April 25, 2007

photogmomma wrote:

These are wonderful!!!

A few comments:

#2 - I think if you warm it up a tad you'll like it better. It's a gorgeous shot, it's just on the cool side.

#3 - I like this one a lot except for the green cast to it.

#4 - This looks a bit cool, too. Try warming it up and I think you'll get better results

Your B&W images are gorgeous! Those are my favorites....

Also try downloading Lightroom. I think you'll find that the color is more consistent - and you can always go into PS when you want to do some fun effects.

Awesome! I'm so glad she's pleased!!!

Thank's for the comments and kind words. I like the B&W stuff best as well. I'll take another look at correcting the color/temperatures of the ones you indicated (as well as their sisters in the gallery).

As for Lightroom, still triyng to get my arms around that one. Haven't been able to figure it out yet.

Scott_Quier · April 25, 2007

Desmond wrote:

I like the look of 5 , almost like a spotlight coming down from the sky behind her , and 7 is a nice breakaway from "correct" composition , a place to put some text maybe ? The trees behind her in 7 almost form the shape of a church window ....

#7 is intended for inclusion in an album, should they order one. I can put text and/or other photos in the empty space.

binghott · April 26, 2007

i love the first two shots, she looks beautiful and very happy!

i'm not sure if i like cluttered the background is in the last shot. i think it would work much better if it were blurred, it's too sharp for my taste right now.

And, she's invited me to the rehearsal dinner - as a guest!

i've been in that situation before and i wish all my clients would do the same. my goal for every wedding (or sweet sixteen, bar mitzvah, etc.) i shoot is to become part of the family for that day. it makes everyone more comfortable with me, trust/listen to me more, and it allows me to get to know them so i know what pictures are important to them. getting to go to a rehearal dinner will also be a great chance for you to learn names, which i find very useful when trying to direct poses and etc.

if you are ever offered a ride in the limo with the wedding party, take it. that's where you will really get to see who's who and understand their personalities very quickly.

ziggy53 · April 26, 2007

Scott,

#5 has a graceful elegance about it. I bet it would make a wonderful enlargement.

Nice set!

thumb

Mike02 · April 26, 2007

Elaine wrote:

Don't have time to say much, other than ! I love #5!

Elaine

Ditto! Great shot Scott

... haha it almost rhymes lol :P

Scott_Quier · April 26, 2007

Thank you all for the very very nice compliments. I can't tell you how you make me feel! OMG I love this place!

i've been in that situation before and i wish all my clients would do the same. my goal for every wedding (or sweet sixteen, bar mitzvah, etc.) i shoot is to become part of the family for that day. it makes everyone more comfortable with me, trust/listen to me more, and it allows me to get to know them so i know what pictures are important to them. getting to go to a rehearal dinner will also be a great chance for you to learn names, which i find very useful when trying to direct poses and etc.

if you are ever offered a ride in the limo with the wedding party, take it. that's where you will really get to see who's who and understand their personalities very quickly.

My goal also is to "be a member of the family" for the day. And, if I ever get the invite to the limo - I'm all over that like white on rice!

#5 has a graceful elegance about it. I bet it would make a wonderful enlargement.

This is an especially nice compliment. Thanks Ziggy!

saurora · April 26, 2007

Nicely done Scott! I like them all for various reasons. She does have a great open smile and should be a lovely bride. I predict great wedding photos! Hope you will post the e-session as well.

Scott_Quier · April 27, 2007

saurora wrote:

Nicely done Scott! I like them all for various reasons. She does have a great open smile and should be a lovely bride. I predict great wedding photos! Hope you will post the e-session as well.

I will! I'll even be able to post some from the e-session in my web-site top-page slide show (can't do the bridals as the bride doesn't want the groom to see them before the wedding).

It's so great to have stuff to post for a change. I've been so busy trying to get this thing going that I've felt something of a slacker for the last 4 or 5 months.

Outdoors bridal portrait session - I'm thinking it turned out OK

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