Nicole,

It’s fantastic you are getting into photography the way you are! To answer your question about poses– I NEVER use poses! Before I take pictures with a client, I always meet with them first to find out if our personalities and my style match them. I have turned down clients before because I felt we did not have a good connection. I must be able to capture the emotions and feelings of the people I work with, or I shouldn’t be taking their pictures. With every one of my wedding packages, the engagement session is included free of charge. This is my opportunity to get to know the couple, get comfortable with them, and work out any kinks in style, and really find out what they are looking for. More or less this is a trial run for the actual wedding. I do not take engagement pictures of anyone unless I am also taking pictures of their wedding…

So, in short! I never sit a couple together and pose them for a picture. I want the couple to be comfortable with my presence, so much so that I become invisible to them. When that happens the couple becomes who they are together, and that is what I am there to capture. Of course sometime I ask someone to move a little or step up higher so the picture is composed better, but for the most part, I am letting the couple be themselves and capturing it along the way. This is the same way I shoot weddings. Because I use this style / technique, EVERY client will get completely unique and original pictures that fit them. I am not into cookie cutter production line images. I want each engagement and wedding to be completely unique, and completely catered to each couple.

Preston Palmer