I dont know why I haven’t thought to share this with you guys before, but I mentioned it to Jared the other day and he immediately said, “You should blog that.” So, here we are!
Sometimes, Engagement sessions are the first time you actually meet face to face with a couple. Maybe a bride has been following you for years and they book you as soon as they are engaged because there is no question that you are shooting her wedding. Or, maybe you email back and forth with an out of town couple and they are ready to seal the deal that way. Or, maybe you met with the bride and this is your first time meeting the groom. Either way, the engagement sessions can sometimes start out a little awkwardly. Not because you are awkward, or the couple is awkward, just simply because you dont know these people super well yet and they dont know you, and having your picture taken has a way of making people feel vulnerable. {Phew! Run-on sentence!!} So, how to break through that initial weirdness? I have a secret to tell you…
I tell the same joke to almost every couple at almost every session. Its one of the first jokes I tell, and it normally breaks the ice within seconds. Here is what I do…
I start off explaining that we are just going to have fun, there is no pressure, and that we can all just relax and hang out. I tell them that when I pose them to tell me if it feels weird to them (because it will show up on camera), that they are not statues so feel free to scratch your head, pull hair out of your mouth, or pick your nose if necessary. Then, I move into the first pose. I always keep this initial pose simple and easy. However, most of the time someone asks me this question: what do I do with my hands? Now, most of the time its the guy, but girls ask this too. This question doesn’t always get asked, but when it does I whip out my joke! I slowly raise my hands in front of my face and say, Im not sure…what to do…with my hands? This comes from a hilarious exchange between Ricky Bobby and a reporter in the movie, Talladega Nights.
This always has some sort of loosening effect on my couples. The girls giggle because they are remembering the scene and the guys laugh because they cannot believe I am quoting this movie. I also pull this joke out when I am working with the Groom and the Groomsmen on wedding day for that same reason. It gives me some sort of respect and coolness to know this scene.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nfv1FhdaBBk
That’s one of my “secrets”! Do you have anything that you use to break the ice with couples? Did your photographer ever do anything to make you feel at ease? I’d love to hear!!
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I use this joke too! Matt said it when we were modeling for a workshop and ever since then, I’ve found it’s an awesome way to make people smile during portraits. I also like to preface sessions with “Don’t worry, the first 15 minutes are always awkward anyways, so you’re off the hook!”
You are awesome. I love this!! Thanks for sharing
I always tell couples that they are real people and to feel free to move around in the pose. And as far as hands go, I show them options, “Feel free to grab your collar, brush your hair back, hand on hip, hand in pocket….” All the while demonstrating what this might look like. So yea. I TELL them what to do with their hands because from personal experience, I myself have asked the question when in front of the camera! I’ve never seen the movie, but I quote that all the time in an awkward voice because it’s ALWAYS a concern for people haha.
I do the same thing! Haha! It’s just a classic line that fits our profession so well:)
Omgosh!!!! I was laughing out loud when I read this because I can’t count the number of times I’ve done this exact same thing at a session or when I’m photographing grooms or groomsmen! Love that you shared
Great tip. I love joking at apparent awkwardness!