Adapting to Individual Personalities

When Beth asked me to photograph her engagement session with Dave, ideas were already running through my head! I knew that I wanted to do 3 things.

1) Schedule the photo shoot at golden hour

2) Go to Kenilworth Castle where Dave proposed

3) Incorporate a music theme

The one thing I did not anticipate was the level of energy and FUN these two were going to have! Beth even asked me on the day, “Do you find it difficult that all couples are different?” I’ve never thought of this as difficult, but as a challenge. Lesson learned here, I cannot expect every couple to be the same as the couple before. They won’t always be comfortable with the same poses, they won’t always be up for the same ideas, they won’t always have the same sense of humour. Every person is unique to themselves, and as a couple, completely individual. And, I love that. It makes my job challenging because I can’t force feed the same ideas I had for my previous couple to my next one. I have to get to know my couple (shocker, right?!), find out what they like and where they feel most at home. That is when wonderful images are made.

A few practical steps for working with not against the personality of your couple:

1) Before you even schedule the photo shoot, ask to hear their story! Where did they meet each other? What do they like to do together? What do they love most about each other? This will give you insight into their personalities from the get-go. If they met over a cup of coffee and love to watch movies at home together in their PJ’s, they might not be the type to have their e-shoot in heels and suit and tie hitting the busy nightlife in London town. I mean, they might. But most likely that’s not where they will feel most like themselves.

2) Ask your couple for any ideas they might have of their own. And the end of the day (and the beginning of the day!) this is not about you (the photographer)! You must start from a position of this being about your couple. There’s a big chance your couple will trust you as their photographer and take your lead, but always ask them what they would like to do, where they would like to go and what they would feel comfortable wearing. Give tips when necessary, but don’t try to make your couple into something they’re not.

3) Ask your couple to bring something special from home that means a lot to them. When I asked Dave and Beth this question, they weren’t sure of what to bring so I gave them a few ideas. I said I would bring a vintage vinyl album titled, “I Can’t Stop Loving You”. Why? Because I knew by this point that Dave and Beth met at a music college and it was through a mutual love for music that they bonded. I knew that music was an important part of their relationship and from that idea they decided to bring along Dave’s guitar. I didn’t think of that, but it was perfect that they did! It turned out the be the perfect ending to their engagement shoot- Dave playing his acoustic at sunset with Beth sitting on the fence behind him, her arm across his shoulders. We were all loving the moment!

Thank you, Dave and Beth, for reminding me to be individual and creative. Thank you for taking on my ideas, but also for being yourselves. I hope I captured your one-of-a-kind personalities and uniqueness as a couple. I hope I was able to document your crazy young love and joy and excitement for life. I also hope I drew out that mushy romantic side of your relationship as well. ;) Enjoy and cherish your photos.

Love,

Hannah