I'm sitting on a flight home from this weekend's wedding in Virginia and my mind is racing. I can't wait to share the images, get caught up with life, and finally see Polo! I've been getting pictures of him while we've been away and my heart aches for my little buddy. I have no doubt I'll be spoiling him today. Rotten.

I'm also reviewing pictures from the shoot in Tuscany and was struck by something I did throughout the session. What I do throughout many shoots. Often times it might be difficult to get subjects to pose a certain way, to convey the idea I have in my head. I can show them (which I often do), but if this falls short, I sometimes revert to The Story.

What's The Story? Just this thing I tell my clients to get pictures moving along. And before the Internet screams THAT'S LAME, trust me…I know it is. But it works. If want my clients to give me X, I'll set up the story leading to the moment/emotion I want them to give to me. For instance…
…You've just run out of the church, away from everyone throwing rice at you, and you're turning the corner for your first moment alone together…
…It's a hot summer day and you don't care you're hiking up your wedding dress while onlookers stare at you kissing…
…Hold him in a way you might if his momma said she didn't like you…

Like I said, some people might think it's lame, but it's something I use to help non-models look confident, happy, and fun in front of the camera. I employ this more often during engagement sessions (where the environment is more contrived than a wedding day), but it also works well in a timecrunch, when you have very little time to effectively move clients along to achieve an end result.

Here are a few behind-the-scenes photos JD captured during the wedding shoot in Tuscany…most likely sharing The Story…

Happy Monday!