- almost kiss
- calm
- Castle
- Center Framed
- Close up
- Emotion
- intimate
- Intimate Framing
- lower thirds
- Natural
- Natural Light
- Roots Presets
- Shade
- Soft Light
- Space
- Warm Tones
The story behind the image
They are also incredibly intimate moments; moments that may not make so much sense to you as an outsider but to your couple – it’s everything.
When setting up first looks for our couple, we always scout a location before hand so that we can bring our bride and groom there without wasting too much time. This is important since first looks normally happen just before the ceremony and if the getting ready started to take a bit longer than planned – at least you guys won’t spend too long looking for a spot to let them meet each other.
Finally, first looks as best left untouched. Meaning, let them be them. Capture the whole moment that happens, right from when they walk to each other and keep shooting until they stop embracing and turn to you for what to do next. Some of the best moments happen just when you think you should stop shooting.
Directions
Describe how you spoke to your subject(s)
During the first look, the only directions we give our couples are where to stand. As for the rest, we completely let them have their moment and we don’t start talking to them until they stop and turn to us
What did you say?
Nothing was said :)
Tone of Directions
Calm
Composition
We let our couple have their moment after meeting for the first time. We gave them space to be themselves and let the emotions flow. As our groom brought his bride closer, we siletly stepped in and framed this moment just close enough to really capture their feelings. We filled the frame with them and kept an eye that we had a bit of the bouquet still included.
framing
Lower Thirds
Focusing
Describe how you spoke to your subject(s)
We focused on the smiles of our couple with our single point. It meant that we could lock on to this emotional detail that we wanted to capture. Just be careful to make sure that it lands directly where you want it to – and not somehow on the background because your camera will then quickly loose focus.
Focus Mode
Single Shot Autofocus
Focus POints
Single Point
Focused on
Their noses
Equipment &
Exif
Camera
Lens
Flash
Filter
1/400 @ f/2 ISO100 WB-Auto
The way the EXIF is written out follows the common photographic method (with the inclusion of White Balance at the end). Here it is broken down:
Shutter Speed @ Aperture ISO White Balance.
Light & Weather
As the sky was overcast, we had really no issues with the light. We wanted our couple to be back amongst these castle walls as we loved the tones. The light that was there did bounce off of the walls and the neutral colored floor which helped create this creamy light that we were able to capture.
Light Type
Natural Light
Weather
Editing Workflow
How did you edit this image?
The edits are made to be warmer with a big focus on skin tones and light play with shadows and highlights. A few minor local adjustments were made (Gradient and Brush) as well as finishing off with a fine layer of grain. The whites are not blown out nor are the blacks 100% crunched.
Editing Software
Adobe Lightroom Classic
Preset Used
Challenges
There was no particular challenge here.
Solutions
There are no solutions to share.
Location
Location Name
Wasserschloss Unsleben
Location aDDRESS
Wasserschloss Unsleben, Schloßgasse, Unsleben
Loation Type
Castle
Country
Germany
Allow your couple to have their space when shooting the first look. As best as you can, try and “dissappear” from their awareness by being silent and not making too aggresive movements. It is an intimate moment best capture as authentic as possible.
If you have a long lens, definitely use it when you want to get close ups. It allows your couple that personal space to keep doing what they’re doing without feeling uncomfortable that theres a giant camera in their faces.
