Bonus Content from the Author - Click Images to Enlarge

Canon 5D Mark II, 17-40mm f/4L USM, 1/250 second, f/4.0, ISO 100

Canon 5D, 70-200mm f/2.8 IS USM, 1/250 second, f/2.8, ISO 320

Canon 5D, 17-40mm f/4 USM, 1/40 second f/4.5, ISO 400

Creating evocative and timeless images for my wedding clients is job one. This image was produced during a part of the day we wedding photographers refer to as "The Romantics". This is one of my favorite parts day, it's basically a mini fashion, portrait and editorial photo shoot all rolled into one. It's one of the few times during the wedding when I have the couple all to myself. The images produced during these mini sessions not only give the wedding couple a range of beautiful and diverse images to choose from for their wall portraits and albums, but these images also play a crucial role in attracting new clients. Prospective clients continually refer back to these images as the reason the decided to meet with and retain me. Obviously this is an important part of my process and one that I make sure, along with my couples, to allot time for during their day. A few key components for me in nailing the perfect shot are the following: 1) find a great background, something that helps tell the story of your couple and their day. 2) Look for the light! Open shade is best as it keeps clients out of harsh highlights and shadows and producing even, flattering light. This saves you a ton of post processing time and headaches. Shooting with bright areas behind subjects is also something I do often.

Engagement sessions are the building blocks for great relationships with my wedding clients. They give my couples and I time to work together and get to know each other in a fun, non-stressed environment. They also give the couple an opportunity to have a professional portrait session aside from their wedding day. This is a definite value add for clients, giving them not only wedding images to choose from for their wall art but also the option for engagement albums, guest signature albums, save the date cards, etc. Each couple is unique and my goal is to tell their individual story and convey their personalities through the portraits I create for them. I do this with the location choice, lighting style, suggested wardrobe, type of poses and finishing treatment for the image. For this relaxed bay area couple the dunes of Ocean Beach was the perfect spot to create a timeless wall portrait. A split toned black and white treatment gave the image the finishing touch it needed to bring it all together. Tip: Shooting wide open produces beautiful, soft backgrounds and keeps the attention on your foreground subjects. Just be careful not to overuse this or any technique, there are times for f/2.8 just as there are for f/5.6.

Many of the same considerations involved in producing compelling wedding and engagement portraits exist in editorial portraiture only with a higher degree of production value and additional equipment and location logistics. Typically this type of shoot is a collaborative effort involving a team of creatives comprised of an art director, producer, talent, makeup artist, hair stylist, prop and wardrobe stylist, photographer and photo assistants. Environmental portraits like this one of actor Eric Urbiztondo introduce additional logistics like permits and planning with respect to lighting equipment, etc. Pre-visualizing what the finished image will look like is an essential part of the creative and planning process. It's only with this in mind that you know what equipment to bring.