When photographing an engagement shoot, making the couple feel comfortable in front of the camera is an important part of the job. In this video, award-winning wedding photographers Phil Chester and Sara Byrne (@phil.and.sara) take you behind the scenes of their process for a successful engagement session. “We just try not to take ourselves too seriously. We just try to hang out with them,” says Sara. Watch as they share how they find inspiration, how they capture those in-between moments and more.

Award-winning wedding photographers Phil and Sara give you a firsthand look at how they capture natural moments during an engagement shoot.

“Another tip we give people, you know, to try to get natural moments is to pay attention to what your couple is doing when you’re not photographing them,” adds Phil. “It’s those in-between moments when the camera is down that they might be giving you something amazing that you might not be aware of.”

Using the 30 fps bursts of the Sony Alpha 1, they’re able to shoot through each moment to ensure they have a frame where the couple isn’t blinking. Sara also uses Continuous Eye Autofocus Tracking when taking portraits of the couple. “It is amazing because I don’t have to keep choosing my point, it just stays right on the subject,” she says. 

They also use the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master in the video while taking portraits with moving horses in the background. “This is one of those scenarios where it’s crazy helpful to have a zoom,” says Phil, “because there are horses moving in frame, out of frame, and instead of me having to move forward and back I can just zoom the lens in and out.”

See more of Phil and Sara's work on Instagram @phil.and.sara.

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