Indoor- well you can do whatever you want… but for engagement shoots, anniversary, or darn “we need good pics done to send to Grandma” here are some tips…
STYLE
1- Color coordinate your outfits. Ok, for this one, don’t dress exactly the same. But keep in in the same family of colors. Blues, greys, blacks and whites go well. Browns, beige, white, and blues go well. Also a pop of color looks good on her. Something really pink, red or yellow as long as the rest is neutral. For more ideas look at pinterest- so addictive.
2- DO NOT WEAR BUSY PATTERNS! yes I am shouting this one. I can date a picture from a pattern. keep it simple. Specially really thin stripes on guys shirts photograph funny. Guy shirt must be plain.
3- Wear something that you’ve tried and tested. I has to be comfortable, it has to fit, it has to boost your confidence. It shows in the picture.
4- Makeup. For this one put on some mascara, some eyeliner and blush. Lipstick is not really good for the kissing pics, he ends up wearing most of it. Not all kiss proof stuff is really kiss proof especially when his lips are dry. For colour use a lip tint. It enhances your colour and lasts through out a whole session. Or just do a make up session before the pic, that works too. Also for the glamour divas remember we are outside and its daylight, keep the vampy down. And for emphasis: Mascara!
For guys: brush your eyebrows, if you have dark eyes circles you can even wear a dab on concealer. Be careful when you shave to avoid nicks and do wear lip balm for a smooth pout. If lips are specially dry and cracked brush them with your toothbrush first and then apply balm.
For both: if you are prone to shine, keep those matting papers handy, specially in warmer weather.
5- Hair. Natural is best, hats… depends on the weather. Style your hair the day before, I love next day hair, it looks more natural and less done. Spray fly aways.
Oh and don’t for get your manicure! Of course I have to take a picture of your ring.
SHOOT
6- Location. I tend to stick around the beaches, of Ashbridges bay I know a couple of spots that work well for outdoors. Where he proposed…sure! Where you met… sure! Around your neighborhood, your favourite park, ffee shop, store, restaurant, back of the car… hey, I do not judge. Commando style, my motto is better to ask for forgiveness than for permission, my parents really hated it 🙂
7- Time. I encourage every couple to play hookie on a weekday to do this. Weekdays everything is less busy and less people staring. Choose a early morning (before 11) or a later evening (after 5 during summer 6:30 pm) the light is the most flattering. We should aim to spend a max an hour.
POSING
We are aiming for natural and casual but have some things in consideration.
When kissing ( I will bark a: now kiss! often, you’ve been warned) go pg-13. Church tongue. Just a bit. Do not squash your face against each other, keep it light and playful. Who ever has the best profile gets to have their nose on the camera side. This will make sense in the pictures, trust me.
Also a good one, leaning into each other, one person looking at the camera, the other smelling the temple. Sounds so weird but it works.
Keep it touchy-feely, look into each other, remove strands of hair… all the corny stuff 🙂
And the most important one smile! smile tons! If there is one thing I like retouching on all my pictures is to brighten the smile for those of us with off-white-almost-beige toothies.
My board that I am slowly getting together is here: http://pinterest.com/marlenjames/couples-poses/
I think that is it, I imparted my wisdom. Have a great time!
