Capturing romance: How to create couple portraits

Any photography shoot is readily made easier when love is in the air and the subjects are caught up in each other’s charms. But creating couple portraits is a serious task for any photographer, and there are a couple of unwritten rules and effective tools of the trade to follow, according to photographer and graphic designer Ram Chary Everi. Here are some advice now that it’s the love month – a time to photograph couples! Let them warm up to you and the environment Consider the first 20 minutes of the shoot as a warm-up, where you can assure the couple that they can take it easy, you’re just taking a few shots, and there’s no pressure to come up with something perfect. During this time, encourage them to start being silly, laughing at the camera or each other, and just be their awkward selves!

Explore fun and romantic poses There are nearly a thousand different ways to pose for a couple portrait, so make your subjects feel they can go wild and try various things to capture who they are. Suggest or implement the hidden kiss, riding piggyback, back hug, lying on the ground, the hand heart, dancing, running and just about any cute and fun pose you can play around with.

Find their light – or provide one Light that comes with early mornings or late afternoons is soft, dreamy, and evokes so much love, reminds Ram Chary Everi. On the other hand, avoid flat light (light that’s directly in front of the subjects) as well as harsh overhead light, as it can do a great job of killing the romantic vibe. Window light is a great source, but don’t have the couple face it so as not to get flat light on their faces.

Ram Chary Everifrom Orlando, Florida, is currently working as a freelance graphic designer and photographer. In 2014, he received his degree in fine arts in graphic design from the University of Florida. Learn more on this page.