I am interrupting my series of posts from Europe to post my latest edit- an engagement session at City Park in New Orleans.

I photographed these two a couple weeks ago. I had never met them before, but I soon learned that they are super easy going and fun to work with. Plus, it is obvious that they are in love, which makes the photos so much nicer. I began with a few of my favorite spots in City Park, mostly using my favorite portrait lens, my 85 mm 1.8 prime lens. It really does a great job of separating the subjects from the background.

I tried to let them be natural most of the time, so I could capture their real emotions.

The park was crowded and the tree I wanted to use was filled with children, so I asked them if they had anything in mind. I am so glad I asked them, because they mentioned a field of flowers they saw driving in and it turned out to be a perfect spot for photos. I went a bit photo crazy in this field of yellow flowers. The bright flowers complimented her green dress and highlighted the cheer of the occasion for these two.

The flowers brought out the playful side in them. The lighting was tricky because of the time of day and lack of shade, but I just watched their faces and used the light to my advantage. The images in the flowers pop nicely thanks to the sunlight. Glaring sun, as I have learned through the years, does not have to be the photographer’s enemy.

I wanted to take a macro shot of her ring on one of these flowers. I took one with my camera (top image), using a technique where I turn my 50 mm lens backwards and hold it steady. I have been wanting to get a macro lens, but good ones are pretty expensive and I just don’t shoot macro that often. I liked the look of it, but I was unable to completely get the ring in focus, so I took one with my iPhone (bottom image). I have been very impressed with how well my iPhone takes macro images. I used the camera plus app and put it on the macro setting. Maybe I don’t even need that macro lens…

Alicia made a heart cut out in the paper fake leaf and asked me to shoot a photo through it. I wasn’t sure how it would turn out, but because the effect is subtle, I think it is actually pretty cute.

And finally, we ended the day back by the tree I had wanted to photograph them on.

I’m glad we made the final stop, because I really like the final frame I shot. The sun flare and the golden light behind them set a lovely mood. Best wishes to Alicia and Tyler- enjoy your engagement, the wedding to come and beyond!