I've known Carly her whole life but hadn't met her boyfriend until they visited her mum together while I was there. I didn't have a tripod with me so am shooting hand held inside the house. I've not used flash as I generally don't like using it indoors as, to me, it gives an unnatural feel to the skin.
I have also moved around them slightly as I direct them to look at me, to look away, or to look at Carly's mum.
This was the first time that I have taken pictures that include someone I didn't already know. James was quite shy about having his picture taken and didn't know what to do with himself but once I started telling them where to look and how to hold their heads, he was a very willing subject - although did need telling to stop chewing his lip. I found that if I chat the whole time and just keep giving direction after direction, they responded well and the chatting got them to smile naturally without being told to. Carly, who has always known me, is already relaxed with me.
I think the composition suits them well - they are a young couple and happy to pose closely together (in a way that many people I know who are more mature in years would probably shy away from!). I put them against the wall in order to keep the background totally plain as I felt a busy background would clash with their shirts (although if printing out a couple of the shots I would need to remove the picture hooks on the wall). I should also have tidied Carly's hair in a couple of the shots where I have zoomed out slightly.
I think that to someone looking at the pictures who didnt know either of them it would come across that they are happy and relaxed together - and relaxed with me.
