Engaging Pictures: Photography Class Focuses on Capturing Betrothed Couples in Unique Ways

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WHETHER YOU'RE A DEWY-EYED romantic — or you just have dollar signs in your eyes — setting your sights on wedding photography can be a sweet way to marry talent and extra cash. You can flirt with the prospect at the Washington School of Photography's daylong workshop on how to shoot high-quality, unique engagement photos and couples portraits.

Everyone from newbies to seasoned photographers tag along with professional photographer Duane Heaton to photograph a real, live, smitten couple. Along the way, the group navigates the secret nooks of Georgetown as well as the quirks of portrait photography. "It's really simple to take a photo of somebody, but I try to teach my students to create something that's 'about' the subject," Heaton explains, which means capturing the dynamic and personality of the couple in each frame.

» The Basics: A maximum of 10 students, instructor and couple meet near the waterfront for "Georgetown Walk," Heaton's twist on the traditional engagement photo session. The 6.5-hour workshop (which includes a break for lunch) is crammed with hands-on opportunities to snap photos of the subjects in a string of unusual settings, from alley crannies to a boarded-up loading dock, with each location presenting a different lighting challenge. Students are to bring extra memory cards and a long telephoto lens, which gives the couple space to act more naturally.

» What you'll learn: Throughout the workshop, Heaton answers on-the-fly questions and details expert tips, from twosome posing styles and lighting tricks to how to build a comfortable rapport between photographer and subject. "First and foremost, we talk about paying attention and making sure there's a congruency among the couple," Heaton says, from directing the couple to dress in similar textures and color palettes to paying attention to facial structure and body language. Plus, he also explains how to make tools such as reflectors, shades and shadows work for you.

» What's the deal? "Engagement Photos and Couples Portraits — in Georgetown" is offered by the Washington School of Photography during the second-annual FotoWeek DC. The class will be held from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 8 and costs $195. Register online at Wsp-photo.com.

Written by Express Contributor Katie Knorovsky
Photo courtesy Duane Heaton