Caleb and Taylor wanted an engagement shoot in an almond orchard. In and around Chico, California, there is no shortage of orchards. The problem is that the time that the almond trees are in bloom is very short. Luck was on our side and we had access to a beautiful little orchard with lovely white blossoms.
As a wedding photographer, I know how important the engagement photos are. These images are going to be used for the couple's engagement party. In addition, they can be used for invitations and save-the-date notices. So, my approach was an artistic one while keeping in mind the functional use they will have.
Light and Airy
The light and airy look is so popular for a good reason: it is beautiful. That, with the white blossoms in the orchard, was a perfect fit, in my opinion. When I suggested it to Caleb and Taylor, they agreed.
Communication with my couple is such an important part of my process. I cannot overstate how important it is. The results will always be better. When I shoot, my only goal is to create images my couples absolutely love. I can't do this without communication.
We spent a couple of hours...
Another essential part of my process is not scheduling based on time limits. I have been a photographer for nearly fourteen years. I have learned that most people need time to get comfortable in front of the camera. That's why I don't offer sessions by the hour. I need enough time to work with my couples so that they can relax and feel comfortable. I've found that it usually takes almost an hour just to get to that point. I plan on devoting my day to each session instead of scheduling multiple sessions in one day. They never take a day to shoot, but having that freedom allows me to work without time pressure.
Once Caleb and Taylor began to feel more relaxed, their personalities started to come out. Once that happened, I noticed the way they looked at each other. It's very special and if we did not have the time to relax, I would never have seen it.
Having more time also allows for more creative freedom, like multiple locations.
The final result...
The resulting images were exactly what I had hoped for. A relaxed, natural feeling that felt light and airy in the orchard during the bloom. The images were to be organic, with some posed images, but still having that organic and real interaction between them.
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