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Location
I took this photo during an engagement session at the Mass Audubon Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary in Natick, Massachusetts. It's a beautiful nature area with trails through the woods and a boardwalk across a pond (where this was taken).
Time
This photo was taken during the middle of the day, about 12pm. The sun was bright and high in the sky. Everyone says don't shoot in direct sunlight. But if this client likes a location, sometimes you just gotta go with it. I'd never done a photoshoot during that time of day or with that intense of lighting/lack of shade, but it ended with some great shots and a happy couple :) Now, I know I can handle a midday photoshoot in the bright sunlight without any reflectors or extra lighting! Sometimes you just have to embrace the sun, what the client wants, and trust your own skills!
Lighting
This photoshoot took place in the intense midday sun. I had to work around this while remaining in a location the couple preferred. I had to embrace the light. I really loved the way it brought out the vivid colors of the water and their clothing here. Not to mention making that engagement ring shine! Use a low iso and a fast shutter speed to decrease the intensity of the light & bring out more color/detail.
Equipment
I shot this with a Canon 80D and a Canon 70-200mm f/4 L series lens.
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Inspiration
I always love when the couples I'm photographing hold hands or connect physically in any way. It helps them to relax and be able to get more into the moment, as well as makes for lovely photos. I initially had taken some wider shots of the couple, then noticed the bright blue water contrasting with their hands and had to focus on that as well as the ring. I always love starting with the bigger picture and working in to show all of the details.
Editing
Yes I did. But only basic touch ups such as adjusting the highlights, improving the contrast and increasing sharpness. I didn't think there was much else that needed to be done here. My business is Authentic Life Photography; I love authentic, emotional, and true-to-life moments/colors
In my camera bag
Normally I keep my bag packed with my Canon 80D. I have a few lenses I always like to have with me for all the different occasions and subjects. One of my favorites that I used here is the Canon 70-200mm f/4. It works very well for wildlife, nature, and surprisingly, portraits. I've really enjoyed capturing couples as well as pets with this lens. I just recently got the Tamron 24-70 f/2.8 lens. So far I’m in love with it & can’t wait to photograph a couple or family with it. But with the nature/landscapes I have shot using it, the colors seem really great & photos are very crisp.
I also frequently use my Canon 50mm f/1.8 for portraits or macro photography. When it comes to landscapes and abandoned buildings or urban photography, I tend to use either my Canon 24mm f/2.8 prime or Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5. The wide angle allows for more to be captured, which is especially helpful when you can't move any further away and need a large view, or if there is a lot in a scene to be captured. Though sometimes the 24mm is better for landscapes because the slightly smaller window allows you to direct the viewer what subject to look at. I also always have my tripod, a Geekoto speedlite, extra batteries & accessories, and ND filters for long exposure photography.
Feedback
My advice to capture something like this would be to stay in the moment with your clients. Pay attention to all the details in the scene and don't rush it. Take a few moments to observe what stands out and acknowledge what's important (for example, here, the engagement ring is a focus in the engagement session). Focus on your composition and use a zoom lens to allow for multiple different shots easily.
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