Engagement: Jen and Ryan

Jen and Ryan are another couple from my Church who volunteered to be test subjects in a faux-engagement shoot before I start doing real engagement shoots with strangers (we won’t be strangers for much longer!).

I knew going into this that working with each couple would be a new experience, but I didn’t realize how different it would be. I tend to send out orders like “Don’t smile, just look sexy,” and although Jen and Ryan were able to do this for me many times (as you can see below), that wasn’t who they are. They are shiny happy people who love to smile and laugh and joke around. I’m going to be learning a lot about photography within the next few months, and the lesson I took from this session is: Capture people as they are.

Girls don’t like the wind because it messes up their hair. Photographers like the wind because of the cool things for photos.

Here I am using my favorite set of stairs again. I wish I could pack these stairs up in my pocket and carry them around with me all the time.

2nd runner-up for That Shot. Ryan actually lives and works in Alaska, while Jen works as a teacher here in Dallas. And I thought dealing with a husband who travels for work was hard. I think moments like this are extra tender when you realize that they don’t happen very often right now for these two. I’m glad I was able to spend some time taking their pictures for them to remember their time together in the remaining months of long-distance marriage.

Like I said, Jen and Ryan are all about fun and laughter. When I saw this bright wall I knew it was the perfect spot to play around a little bit.

That Shot!

I hope Ryan can forgive me for revealing his secret identity-Spiderman!

Ryan wanted both of them to do a handstand. Jen suggested he do one by himself instead. The I suggested Jen tickle Ryan.

I asked them if they ever danced together and they showed me this. Those are some serious dancing skills!

After we had exhausted my posing creativity in front of the orange wall (posing people is really tough you know), we started exploring the alley behind a nearby hotel. I’m sure Jen and Ryan thought I was crazy for getting excited over recycling bins and blue fences, but this spot ended up being a nice little gem.

SOOC (Straight Out of Camera) Shot!

Usually I make my SOOC shot my “best” shot, the one that I do the least editing to because it doesn’t need it (if that makes any sense). This time I decided to show you a photo that I made drastic changes to using Lightroom and Photoshop. It’s a little bit risky, because seeing the two versions side-by-side might make not like either of them, but I think it’s really fun to compare the difference.

Before:

After:

To get the fence this blue color I actually didn’t isolate the background. I made some changes to the photo overall, and this gorgeous blue color ended up being a happy accident. I also used Pro Retouch on their skin, which is a divine little action in the Totally Rad Actions 1 pack.

What do you think? Is it over the top?

I love the contrast between the blue wall and Jen’s bright green shirt.

This is the blue fence! I’m definitely still in a  stage where I am fascinated by what simple little editing tweaks can do. I have to consciously work to make sure I don’t go over the top, but I’d like to have a portfolio that is a mix of natural and stylized portraits.

Again, that same blue fence, turned purple this time. See how well they pull off those sexy serious looks?

Apparently I like taking pictures of couples making out in corners. It wouldn’t be so bad if I turned that into one of my signature “things” right?

We left the alley and did some more exploring which led us to some docks sitting on Lake Carolyn.

I thought it would be cute to get them kissing with a duck swimming right in between them. Turns out that was not a good idea. This is a much better picture.

The reflections on the water prove why it’s so improtant to get up really early on Saturday mornings to have engagement photos taken. Yummy!

Love!

I realize the branches are in focus, they are not, blah blah blah. I love it anyways.

“Let’s get a mom shot!”, I said. Here you go mom(s)!

The last shot I took with my camera that day. Warm and sweet. Just like these two. (Am I getting overly cheesy? It’s apparently really easy for me to fall in love with my couples.)

Jen and Ryan, thank you for being my test couples, and putting up with my mediocre posing skills. Your creativity and genuine affection really made these photos what they are. Jen, I’ll miss having you in the ward after this Summer, but I’ll be really happy for you two when you are finally reunited once again.