Sharing a kiss
Ok, these photographs are not of a newly engaged couple. Jaala and Harrison have been married for 5 years. Five years! And they are an awesome couple. In fact right after this photoshoot they drove to Las Vegas to start a new chapter in their lives. I guess Salt Lake City was too boring, lol.
Their last set of photos were taken for their wedding – that was 5 years ago. Remember, you should get photographs taken regularly. The day you get married should not be the last day you are married. And I am more than happy to photograph you for years afterwards!
I photoshopped out the softbox for a cool special effect
These photographs were taken in the spirit of an engagement session. We started off in Salt Lake City’s Exchange Place – which is very popular among photographers. We finished the photoshoot out by the Great Salt Lake – because I love to photograph there while the sun is setting. I brought along my large softbox to act as a key light for the photographs. I think this may become a signature look for me.
Building columns frame our lovely couple
And to be honest a good photographer can photograph anywhere and anytime. We make it work. However, there are some locations that are just cool. Some textures such as brick, columns and such that make photographs just look cool. And Exchange Place has all of those textures in one place.
Exchange Place is a popular location for photographers
And the golden doors – I don’t know how often these have been photographed by other Utah photographers. But I will be hunting other locations cause variety is the spice of life.
The famous golden doors of Exchange Place
Jaala and Harrison are also aspiring photographers. They photograph with a Nikon D40 and they are learning, a lot. At times I even get to play a mentor – which is awesome. I love sharing everything I know about photography. So when Jaala asked me to take their photographs I felt the bar was raised for me and that I had the extra challenge to really step it up and create some amazing works of art. I even gave them the original RAW files so they could experiment and edit the photographs themselves. And perhaps there is no better way to learn photography than to imitate and learn from others.
Off camera flash helps the couple pop in this photograph
And for this photoshoot I used several lighting systems. I used the small Nikon speedlights at Exchange place because I wanted to have the wide open apertures. When we went out to the Great Salt Lake I switched over to the Alien Bee softbox. The softbox gives me so much power – I could light up a lot more than with simple speedlights.
The challenge always comes down to balancing the natural light we are given and the artificial light that I can add.
Golden light - enhanced in Photoshop
Black and White photographs look more timeless
I think that for most of the black and white photographs I create I will be creating them in Nik Software’s Silver Efex Pro. Instead of running an action I am taking more time into customizing each black and white photograph so they are unique. It is a little more time consuming but I think it is something that will make my black and white photography stand out. I can control the grain, the type of film that is being emulated, tone, vignette and more. And it helps to be selective in which photographs are turned into black and white.
And sometimes - color is the only way to go
And for every black and white photograph that is created I am sure there are 10 people wondering what happened to the color. In the “old” days of photography – when black and white was the ONLY option people would always ask what happened to the color. People expect color. And so when you find a bright red door – you are going to photograph it in color.
Texture can be enhanced in Photoshop
And I am going to guess the mother’s out there are going to wonder why I cut off the upper torsos of the husband and wife. Why? To be artsy. And of course I take photographs where I do show their heads. The nice thing with digital is a I can show both photographs.
Sometimes showing only part of the subject creates mystery
Black & White photographed created using Nik Software
And to quote Joe McNalley, “Light is the language of photography.” And photographers should learn to speak it well. I love to mix natural light with artificial light. And sometimes I will use just natural light or just artifical light. There are so many tools and techniques. It is fun to create something new and unique.
Photography begins and ends with light
And this trolley is famous. And when we are in the area we might as well use the trolley for a photograph or two.
The abandoned trolley out by Saltair
Graffiti rocks
For photographers – one rule is to get close and then get closer. That works for the couple as well – get close and get closer! Hold on to her like she might get away – it makes the photos better.
Sunsets provide for awesome photographs
Hold hands!
I love! this photograph
Jumping. It isn’t for everyone. I helped photograph a wedding and the groom was not about to jump. And that is totally cool. Jaala and Harrison on the other hand loved the idea. In fact they jumped at the chance. Ha ha ha, ugh. Ok, sorry about that aweful pun. But ultimately photographs have to reflect the couple. If you like the idea or don’t let me know.
Jump! And jumping isn't for everyone.
The sun was almost gone, and who needs shoes?!
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Posted in Engagements | Tags: engagement, great salt lake, Photography, salt lake city, salt lake engagement photographers, utah portrait photographers, utah wedding photographers
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