I always try to spend the first part of any shoot with non-professional models just getting them used to the camera and being in constant focus; trying to distract couples with little techniques I've picked up over the years, but often there's no getting away from the fact that they can't disengage from that connection. You ask them to look this way or that, at each other, or at nothing (like having their eyes closed for instance) but you know their peripheral vision is squarely on you, even through closed eyes they look!
This couple, for all their protestations about being terribly awkward they get when they are having their photo taken, and how they really didn't mind if I didn't get anything too special that day... just let go. After a really short amount of time, they seemed to almost forget I was there; any self-consciousness they had sure didn't show anymore... in fact, I think they may have forgotten a couple of times that I was even there!
All I could see, and therefore shoot, was this beautiful couple lost in their love for each other.... perfect.
What do you think?
Shot at Fawkner Park, South Yarra, Melbourne in beautiful Autumn.
