In this article, you’ll learn tips for doing a couples photoshoot that will help you capture emotion and impact in your images.
If you’re reading this, chances are, you’re either a photographer or want to become one. You might be interested in product photography, sports photography, or even wildlife. But if you’re even remotely interested in photographing human beings in your photography journey, let me just break the news for you, it’s one of the toughest genres of photography out there.
Why?
Because human beings are complex, emotional creatures who can communicate.
And the ONLY way that communication works in the photos is through emotion. You can have the most technically correct photo in the world, but if it doesn’t invoke any emotion, it’s as good as nothing.
So let’s take a look at a few things you can do in a couples photoshoot that creates images with emotional impact.
Understand what the couple values
There’s a famous that goes like this, “The price is what you pay, but value is what you get”.
If a couple has decided to create their portrait or engagement photos, it’s a given that they find value in what you do regardless of your price (even if you don’t charge for your work or do it professionally). So before you start photographing them and trying to get the best photos that you can, it is important for you to understand their values.
A good starting point is to just understand their relationship and their backgrounds. Where do they come from, what brings them together, and what do they like about each other?
Sometimes even just knowing what their favorite movies are or what kind of music they like, will give you a sense of what kind of pictures they would value. Then that will make your job as a photographer so much easier.
Read: How to Plan and Execute a Themed Photoshoot
Scout the location ahead of time
When you talk about a couples photoshoot, the location holds a lot of importance. Where you are doing the photo session sometimes determines the quality of the images.
For example, I created the images above at one of the seven wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal in India. While the one below was taken at Leh Ladakh which is in the mountains of the Himalayas, also in India.
Although the couple in each photo is different, you can see that even if it was the same couple the photographs still give you a completely different look and feel. That’s how important the location is, so choose it carefully.
More often than not many couples ask to be photographed at unique locations which you may not have been to before. Whenever you are at a new photography location, the first thing you should do is scout the location completely.
I usually go to that location a couple of days before the actual shoot and figure out the best places where I can make great photos.
Note from Darlene: Ideally, go at the same time of day that you’ve scheduled the photography session.
If scouting beforehand is not possible, try to be at least an hour earlier than the couple at the location. One example of things to look for is the position of the sun and where the light will be coming from whenever you are going to do the actual session.
Note from Darlene: Other things to scout while there are finding a good solid background, looking for things you’ll need to avoid like fences and garbage cans, availability of parking, accessibility (do you have to walk really far, is the park closed at that hour), etc.
Break the ice
In most cases, the couple you are going to work with is not going to be film actors or models. Most people, who are not used to getting photographed, freeze the moment somebody points their camera toward them. They have no idea what to do or how to pose.
Most often than not, they will be feeling awkward. You, as a photographer, have to make them comfortable. That is part of your role in this process.
Read: 5 Simple Posing Tips for Groups and Family Portraits
Try talking to them for a while. Ask questions. Indulge in a conversation and just take some photos of candid moments of the couple and show them. This will elevate their confidence that yes, they’re looking great together in the photos and the number of stellar photos will just go upward from there.
Have them look at each other
When two people look at each other they feel the connection between them. As a photographer, that’s a goldmine of compelling emotional photos just waiting for you to capture them.
In a couples photoshoot, the easiest and the best thing you can guide your couples to do is to look into each other’s eyes. You are almost guaranteed to capture an emotional photo from their genuine connection.
To further elevate the emotion, here are some things I say to my couple when they’re looking into each other’s eyes:
- Listen to each other’s breathing (gives intense emotions)
- I want you to figure out which shampoo she washed her hair with today (usually causes a chuckle)
- I want you to give your partner a hug like it’s the first time you’re meeting (creates raw energy)
Play silly games
Yes I know you are an adult and a serious photographer and being silly is the last thing that you might want to do. But sometimes doing just that can give you great results.
Here are some suggestions of silly games for couples:
- Think of a letter of the alphabet, that you think your partner is thinking of, and on my count, say it aloud. Let’s see how much you know each other (guaranteed chuckles)
- I want you to say the names of vegetables in the sexiest way possible into your partner’s ear.
- Get them into a staring game and then secretly whisper to the guy to lift her up.
Things like this do sound silly on paper but are guaranteed to bring out emotions that otherwise may not have been impossible.
Get them to interact and touch each other gently
During a couples photoshoot, body language is a crucial factor to consider.
Even if you manage to get good emotions on their faces, if their body, hands, or other parts are out of sync the photo will not look that great.
To tackle this situation what you can do is ask the couple to do something with their bodies.
For example, you can ask them to hold hands, touch each other’s faces, or walk around hand in hand. All these situations will give you some natural body language and combining that with emotions will always make for great photos.
In a couples photoshoot, use props to your advantage
Every place you go is filled with props. It can be anything from a tree or a bench (if you’re photographing in a park), to a lamp (if you’re in their home), or even a piece of glass. You can use anything to your advantage if you’re creative enough.
The most important prop is usually the engagement or wedding ring (if applicable). Every couple has put a lot of thought into selecting their wedding ring. Ask them about it. Then try to incorporate that story, by using it as a prop, into the photographs.
Everything you can attach a story to becomes instantly a hundred times more valuable. Here are some other things you can ask about to tell their story:
- Where they met (at university or school, etc.)
- What do they like to do together (ride bikes, hike, etc.)?
- Where they like to hang out (coffee shop, park, front porch)
- Do they have any pets or kids they want to include in the photos?
Ideas for a Couples Photoshoot
If you’re looking for more inspiration in regards to a couples photoshoot, I’d have you check out these ideas here.
Conclusion
I’ve learned all these things through my years of experience in couple photography. I hope you can use the tips mentioned above to create great emotionally impeccable photographs of couples.
Please share your couple’s photography images in the comment area below, I’d love to see them.
