Photographer: Ken Sklute
“If the event includes evening or twilight hours, I try to steal the couple away for a few images,” says Ken Sklute. “These shots are planned out based on the time of sunset. I let the couple know a few weeks beforehand that I’m going to come and grab them for three minutes.” Prior to the couple’s arrival, Ken and his crew set up and light the shot completely, so the bride and groom can simply walk onto the set. “We take a few photos and we’re done,” says Ken, “so they are not away from their guests for too long.”
A Little Alone Time
In addition to providing the opportunity to create breathtaking images and increase the overall variety of looks in their photography, these moments away from the event itself are a nice break for the couple. Ken sometimes capitalizes on this by having a little fun with them.
“I want portrait-quality lighting that comes from an off-camera direction . . .”
For the image below, Ken positioned the couple against the background for the composition he envisioned. Then, he had an assistant with a flash crouch down behind them for nice rim lighting that separates them from the scene.
When it came to posing, he told them, “Kiss—and hold really, really still,” he says. “After I took the shot, I kept telling them, ‘Hold it. Hold it.’ Slowly, we walked away, leaving them alone.” Of course, the couple eventually realized that Ken’s voice was moving away and had a good laugh.
Portrait-Quality Lighting
In scenic images where the face size is small, some photographers could find it tempting to skimp on proper portrait lighting—but Ken strongly cautions against that approach. “Everybody needs to be made to look their best,” says Ken. “It’s not about what’s quick or convenient—and, in reality, it takes just as long to do it wrong as to do it right.”
“To me, it’s important to have a beautiful lighting pattern on their faces. I want their skin to look great, too,” he says. “I want portrait-quality lighting that comes from an off-camera direction and fits into the mood of the scene. It’s my job to make them look great. If you’re quick and plan well, it all comes together effortlessly.”
