This cozy in home engagement session is making me feel so much better about being cooped up in doors. I love the intimacy and the way Lensy Michelle chose to showcase Kamelia and Faraz. This beautiful session is definitely a reminder that in home sessions can be just as epic as a fun outdoor location. Scroll to learn more about their story and how Lensy shot the session!
Credits
Photographer: Lensy Michelle & @lensymichelle| Kamelia: @kameliavahneshan
About the Couple
How did you two first meet?
What makes your relationship special?
How did you know your partner was the one? When did you first know this in your relationship?
Give us all the details about the proposal. How and where did it happen? Was it a surprise? What was the planning process?
Are you excited to start planning your wedding day?
From the Photographer
What was your inspiration behind the shoot and the use of light?
The light was all natural and coming in through the windows to the right of the subjects (left side of the frame). I prefer to use natural light, even if it is not perfect, because I think it helps retain the true mood and feelings of the moment. In my experience, using flash or other artificial lighting sometimes disrupts the flow of the shoot and the comfort of the couples. My philosophy is usually to find beauty where it exists in the given location, not to try to create a situation artificially.
How did you prepare your clients for this type of session?
To prep the couple, they were asked to wear comfy clothing that they would lounge around in and that they wouldn't have to think about. It's super important for couples to be able to be emotionally and physically present for their shoot and not be distracted by the clothing they are wearing.
What techniques did you use that were out of the norm?
My style of "posing" isn't really posing... Rather, I set up a situation/mood/vibe/feeling/ect. I do this in many ways that change depending on the energy I feel from the couple, but one way I do this is by giving a prompt for a scenario such as: "Imagine your partner is about to leave for a month long trip. They are leaving to get in their car to the airport in 3 minutes. Express how much you care and how much you will miss them using only your fingertips on their neck and face." Then, give them time to think. Let them really fall into this feeling and this scenario in their head. Then, step back, and shoot. In short, help to give them a situation they can work with, but don't interpret the prompt for them. Let them show you.
Any advice to other clients or photographers who want to do this type of shoot?
Understand that every couple is different in the ways that they express intimacy and care. I see it as part of my job to figure out my couples enough so that the images I take of them reflect their unique relationship. Not every couple is super kissy or physically affectionate. Some couple express love through simply holding hands or writing letters. Some will start making out before I even say one thing to them...it really depends. One thing you can do is ask your couples questions before their session so you know their love story. (Examples: What is something your partner has done recently that made you feel cared for? Where do you like to be kissed? Etc.) I think it is important to use prompts that each couple can interpret uniquely to really express how they would be in real life. Sometimes it take a few different prompts to find one that works with a particular couple, but once I hit a good one, we roll with it for a while and I shoot until I feel like we've gone through all the emotions that prompt brought out. Sometimes I will also play music to set the scene...kinda like I'm a DJ for the mood!