Alex and Scott : Joshua Tree Intimate Session

I’ve blogged a few intimate sessions over the past month or two and, as much as I LOVE shooting outside, these sessions are really inspiring me creatively. It’s funny, I used to be terrified of shooting inside. Like pee-my-pants,  something’s-under-the-bed terrified.  Am I going to be able to find soft light? Is there even going to be enough light? What if I can’t make it work? What if blah blah blah? Well, that fear was stupid. Now I freaking love it.

Meet Alex and Scott. These two love birds are two of the nicest people I’ve met in a long time and I’m so glad that we were able to get together! They got married back in October and have hearts the size of watermelons. I know, weird description. Deal with it.

Edited with my Heck Yeah Presets (Bright 3)!

Joshua Tree Indoor Intimate Couple Session / Ben Sasso Joshua Tree Indoor Intimate Couple Session / Ben Sasso Joshua Tree Indoor Intimate Couple Session / Ben Sasso Joshua Tree Indoor Intimate Couple Session / Ben Sasso Joshua Tree Indoor Intimate Couple Session / Ben Sasso Joshua Tree Indoor Intimate Couple Session / Ben Sasso Joshua Tree Indoor Intimate Couple Session / Ben Sasso Joshua Tree Indoor Intimate Couple Session / Ben Sasso Joshua Tree Indoor Intimate Couple Session / Ben Sasso Joshua Tree Indoor Intimate Couple Session / Ben Sasso Joshua Tree Indoor Intimate Couple Session / Ben Sasso Joshua Tree Indoor Intimate Couple Session / Ben Sasso Joshua Tree Indoor Intimate Couple Session / Ben Sasso Joshua Tree Indoor Intimate Couple Session / Ben Sasso Joshua Tree Indoor Intimate Couple Session / Ben Sasso Joshua Tree Indoor Intimate Couple Session / Ben Sasso Joshua Tree Indoor Intimate Couple Session / Ben Sasso Joshua Tree Indoor Intimate Couple Session / Ben Sasso Joshua Tree Indoor Intimate Couple Session / Ben Sasso Joshua Tree Indoor Intimate Couple Session / Ben Sasso Joshua Tree Indoor Intimate Couple Session / Ben Sasso Joshua Tree Indoor Intimate Couple Session / Ben Sasso Joshua Tree Indoor Intimate Couple Session / Ben Sasso Joshua Tree Indoor Intimate Couple Session / Ben Sasso Joshua Tree Indoor Intimate Couple Session / Ben Sasso Joshua Tree Indoor Intimate Couple Session / Ben Sasso Joshua Tree Indoor Intimate Couple Session / Ben Sasso Joshua Tree Indoor Intimate Couple Session / Ben Sasso Joshua Tree Indoor Intimate Couple Session / Ben Sasso Joshua Tree Indoor Intimate Couple Session / Ben Sasso Joshua Tree Indoor Intimate Couple Session / Ben Sasso

tip:

Indoor Front Light Vs. Indoor Back Light. It's so stupid important to know how light affects your images.  Imagine that you're indoors, standing in white room with a single window with indirect light coming in. Place your subject in between you and the window (Indoor Back Light) and you'll be left with a low contrast image with muted tones. You'll also have a brighter background because the side of your subject facing you will be in shadow, meaning that when you expose that correctly the background will be brighter in comparison. Now let's flip it around! Place yourself in between the window and your subject, with the subject facing the window (Indoor Front Light) and you'll be left with a luminous image with rich tones, more contrast, and more saturation. Is one better that the other? Absolutely, but I'm not going to tell you which one. Just kidding, they both rock. It's just important to know how to control it!
  1. Reply

    I love the light in these and the simplicity!

  2. Reply

    why are you so awesome?! great shoot, great advice, great free stuff! Can’t wait to use it and show ya! (on another topic, have you ever thought — or tried — using the Fuji system? Because your images are filmesque, I’d only assume that what Fuji has to offer is right up your alley 😉 )

    • Michael, haha thanks! I had an old fuji because I wanted to try out something smaller but the truth is that I’m not a gear nut at all and I try to own as little as I can. I got rid of it and just use my trusty iPhone when I want something smaller. I love what my 5D III’s help me create so I didn’t feel the need to keep another camera in the mix. Also, can’t wait to see what how you use the preset!

  3. Reply

    Ahh these are beautiful. thanks for the tips too.

  4. Reply

    Nailed it as usual 🙂

  5. Reply

    I love the emotion in these images. Beautiful! Well done 🙂

  6. Reply

    Ben, you are the King, thank you!! I have a Q – what do you advise for rooms that have wEird colored walls, like beige or a room a couple wants to take photos in but theres not a whole lot of window? How would you create soft liGht there without weird color Distortions?

    • Clare, In that situation I’d do one of three things. 1. Suggest an airbnb (so you can get one with great natural light, white walls, etc). 2. Shoot in there and fix the weird colors by playing with the HSL sliders in LR (specifically the overwhelming colors in the image). 3. Edit a lot of black and whites! I prefer to keep it all natural light so if I know a certain house wouldn’t work well for my style because it has red walls, no windows, etc. I’ll make sure I’m upfront with the couple so they don’t expect a style that they likely won’t see.

  7. Reply

    I love how every shot is so different and unique from the next. BeauTiFul work!

  8. Reply

    Nice work! I love the lighting. The couple posing is so natural and fluid did you work with them on choosing wardrobe. Thank you for sharing!!

    • Thanks, Lisa! I helped them pick things out from the options they brought with them. I also brought along the shorts she’s wearing (bought them for her from GAP) because I saw them, loved them, and knew it would fit this shoot well!

  9. Reply

    These are beautiful, Ben! I love them!

  10. Reply

    Hey Ben! Check this out 🙂 https://www.flickr.com/gp/mdd_photography/342z44

    With a few little tweaks! ;P Hope you like it!

  11. Reply

    Heck Yeah, that’s YOUR preset! 😛 Much appreciate your encouraging words coming from an awesome artist like yourself. Keep doing what you do!

  12. Reply

    like the soft look !

  13. Reply

    Awesome light as always, Ben!

  14. Reply

    Your work truly inspires me! Wow!!! Thank you for your honesty, and humbleness ( is that a word?)
    I will follow you and purchase presets very soon!!!! Eads’ Vision Photography Indiana 🙂

  15. Reply

    ABSOLUTELY stunning! beautiful work.

  16. Reply

    ABSOLUTELY Amazing Work….!

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