California Photographer, Alyn Stafford

Photographing engagement or lifestyle portraits can lend itself to some spur of the moment images. In this quick photo engagement tip, I used a simple 52″ photodisc reflector (a white/gold one) to bounce a bronze light cast onto the couple.

The above image has not been manipulated in any way on the computer. Instead, I used the camera and a light disc to “manipulate the photo. Here I provided direction to the couple that they where basically two lovers on a stroll through an alley way and where overtaken by an impulse to engage each other in a romantic moment. By providing direction rather than posing the subject, I tend to get a more natural shot.

Positioning my assistant (Chris) off camera and holding the light disc (image below), he reflected the sunlight onto the couple as they embraced in “their moment”. Again, no post production manipulation has occurred at this time. The image above and below are straight from my Nikon. I have provided technical shooting data below.

The final image was loaded on my Mac and then softened and I lightened up the image a bit to create a more romantic feel to the engagement photo. The couple juxtaposed next to the painted wall sign, “Reserved” ads a telling story to the couples bond and commitment for each other until their wedding day.

Technical Shooting Data: