- Beach
- holding each other
- Soft Light
- Playful
- Pick up
- Natural Light
- natural frames
- Movement
- Moody
- Golden hour
- Carry
- Fun
- full body
- Free
- Energetic
- Directional Light
- Dark
- cross light
- Center Framed
- Sunset
The story behind the image
Directions
Describe how you spoke to your subject(s)
When we asked our groom to pick up our bride, we wanted him to move with her (so we could get movement in her dress, her hair & the overall posture). We asked him to walk and turn and dance while holding her up. As for the kiss, we really emphasized for them to take their time, and go for the most beautiful & gentle kiss they could.
What did you say?
Pick her up and go in for the most gentle, most beautiful kiss you can. Really take your time. While holding her up, walk with her and turn her around – like you’re dancing
Tone of Directions
Excited, Energetic
Composition
We chose to shoot this with our 50mm in portrait because it meant that the compression would give our couple & their moment a bit more presence. It’s wide enough to show their entire body as well as the environment; while being close enough to really feel the emotions. We kept them in the center column as best as we could to give them the most impact.
Compositional Rules
Rule of Thirds
framing
Center Framed
Focusing
Describe how you spoke to your subject(s)
Our focusing here was on our couple; and we achieved this very simply with moving our single point autofocus over them. There was plenty of light and contrasts for our camera to pick up and focus on. As they were moving, we kept refocusing in between shots. This may not always be perfect, so long as you’re fast, your success ratio is much higher.
Focus Mode
Single Shot Autofocus
Focus POints
Single Point
Focused on
The grooms face
Equipment &
Exif
Camera
Lens
Flash
Filter
1/640 @ f/1.4 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
This was taken during the most spectacular time of the day; the late golden hour. The sun was just about to disappear under the horizon and being on this already golden-colored beach meant the light that bouncing around was just divine. We chose to shoot our couple cross-wards to the sun as we wanted the highlights & shadows. It adds so much more depth & dimension to your subjects.
Light Type
Natural Light
Light Quality
Soft,Directional
Time of day
Sunset
Weather
Clear
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
It’s very easy to get carried away when all elements of a shoot have lined up perfectly. The light, the couple, the romance – all of it was really on point and we found ourselves burning so much time in one spot because we simply were loving what we were getting.
Solutions
It helps to force yourself to take a step back and look around you again to see the other spots you found during your location scout. Once you know you’ve got that awesome shot, try your best to move on to that next place because gold could be waiting for you just around the corner.
Location
Location Name
Praia Da Adraga
Location aDDRESS
PRAIA DA ADRAGA, Sintra, Portugal
Loation Type
Beach / Coastal
Country
Portugal
If you are shooting destination weddings and happen to know that your couple will be sticking around there for a bit longer after the wedding – consider offering them an after wedding shoot. It’s not only an awesome chance to come back with more portfolio work, but you get to see them again, you get to explore new places and it’s another business sale. Even if you do the first few for free to have something to show and convince future brides – totally worth it.
Of course, this isn’t only limited to destination weddings. Even your local spots could be amazing.
