Author: Kate Langenberg
Photography by: Jen Ing Photography

When Boston-based photographer Jen Ing met up with Richard and Alex on a recent winter day to shoot their engagement photos, the first order of business was to take a series of pictures at the Institute of Contemporary Art on the waterfront. The location was perfect for the couple who wanted a funky backdrop for their photos, and Jen had big plans for incorporating the ICA's unique architectural elements into the pictures. However, when the trio arrived at the museum, they discovered one of the exhibits that Jen wanted to shoot inside was closed for renovations. And outside, the brutal cold made it difficult for Richard and Alex to get comfortable in front of the camera.

It was time to move to location number two, the Liberty Hotel. A classic spot that blends chic, contemporary décor with a historic feeling, the hotel provided a relaxed atmosphere for the engagement session. Thawed out and ready to go, Jen proceeded to capture images of Richard and Alex that exude a natural intimacy and warmth. 

This indoor photo shoot is proof that cold weather doesn't have to deter you from scheduling your engagement session during the winter. As Richard and Alex's photos at the Liberty Hotel show, it's possible to take advantage of an indoor location's best setting and get some truly great shots. We had the chance to talk with Jen Ing about what made their engagement session such a successful shoot. Here, she tells us about her approach to these sessions and the difference between shooting indoors and outdoors.

BB: We'd like to get your take on doing engagement sessions with couples. Can you tell us a little bit about how you like to structure the sessions?

JI: My engagement sessions have very little structure; aside from the couple, time, and place, usually little is known ahead of time on my end. I love to just explore the environment we're in, look for the light and key angles, and capture sweet gestures and interesting details. The way a session goes also depends entirely on the couple and how comfortable they are in front of the camera, so I'll adjust how much I observe or direct. 

BB: Are there any details when it comes to the sessions - an ideal location, time of day, season, or setting? Do you mostly try to work with what the couple wants?

JI: Just speaking for myself and my style, an ideal location or setting would be one that holds meaning to the couple - whether it's the place they met, the neighborhood they currently live in, or a place they enjoy visiting together. It can be outdoors or indoors. A lot of times it is just a place that the couple feels represents their personalities or interests. If they don't have a preference or can't decide then we work together to think of backdrops that might work well. 

The ideal time of day for me is anytime within an hour of sunrise or sunset, as this is the "golden hour" when the sun casts a softer and warmer glow and is generally more flattering.

Season is something I don't limit my couples to, for sure. I often find that it's the other way around - my couples prefer certain seasons and so I am limited to these seasons for shooting. It's understandable, though, if couples prefer to shoot outdoors and want to be comfortable; the Boston temps are not nearly as inviting for this in the wintertime, so my shoots have mostly taken place during the spring, summer, and fall. I am starting to love these winter and indoor sessions though, so I'll definitely be advocating for them!

BB: In the case of Richard and Alex, they wanted to shoot at the ICA but those plans were foiled due to renovations and weather. You ended up shooting at the Liberty Hotel, which provided a very unique setting for the photos. How did you have to adjust your plans to shoot mainly inside instead of outside?

JI: Like I mentioned above, I really have very little planned ahead of time for the flow of the session, but I do always come prepared to shoot indoors and out, and in natural or artificial lighting, because you never know what to expect. In this case, the hotel had large windows that offered a mix of natural and artificial lighting, and I didn't have to pull my flash out at all. In general, though, I treat outdoor and indoor spaces the same and I try to remain very loyal to my style, which is to capture very natural, relaxed portraits of couples. 

BB: Why do the outdoors seem to be favored when it comes to engagement sessions?

JI: I think natural light has a quality to it that artificial light just can't compare to, and I think it's generally what most people (photographers and non-photographers alike) prefer. I do think that it's often easier to think of beautiful places to shoot outdoors vs. indoors, and this is why the first thing couples say to me is that they want to shoot in the Public Garden or in Beacon Hill. But I'm hoping that the more indoor shoots I do, the more couples will be exposed and drawn to these other equally beautiful but also creative settings for their session. 

BB: Having done the indoor shoot with Richard and Alex, would you say you were surprised by being able to get such great shots of them indoors?

JI: It wasn't surprising - the Liberty has a gorgeous interior and lots of nooks with big windows and nice lighting. I mainly looked for perspectives and angles that took advantage of the available light. And in the areas where there was more artificial light, I tried to ensure that the background and décor of the space made up for the lack of natural light. 

BB: Was the lighting an issue at all? Are there special lighting considerations to make when shooting indoors?

JI: The trick with photographing indoors has mostly to do with the fact that there is often less light to work with, or that the color of the light looks unnatural (depending on the bulb, it can be more orange, more blue, or more green). The former is something you can fix with a flash, the latter something you can generally fix in post-processing. 

BB: What recommendations would you have for couples choosing an indoor location for their engagement session? Richard and Alex looked like they fit right in at the Liberty Hotel. 

JI: I would say definitely choose a location that you'll feel comfortable in both in terms of your personality and your dress. Though you can, you don't have to choose a luxury hotel for a backdrop if you're more of a jeans and t-shirt type of person. You don't have to choose an architecturally interesting museum if you don't actually like to frequent museums. You don't have to shoot somewhere trendy just because it's trendy. Try to think of an indoor space that is reflective of your personalities and of who you are as a couple vs. one that you just think would photograph well. 

In our case, we had already discussed starting at the ICA and moving to the Liberty Hotel when/if time allowed, so Richard and Alex were comfortable with this and planned their outfits accordingly. And they were comfortable in the space, so this made it much easier to get great images of them in it. 

BB: Do you see any advantages to doing an engagement session in the winter as opposed to spring or summer? If you're forced to go indoors during the winter, one would think you'd be able to find an intimate setting that would create a sort of closeness between the couple that reflects that intimacy. Maybe you can also do that outdoors, but it seems as though an indoor shoot would help lend a warm and cozy feel to the photos. What are you thoughts on that?

JI: I think it can definitely be seen that way, that indoor spaces create more intimate scenes and closeness between couples, but I don't see it necessarily being an advantage. You can find nooks outdoors as well and create intimate spaces in which to shoot couples, and there are styles of shooting that can evoke an intimate feeling that speaks to the skill of a photographer who can create images of a certain and consistent feel regardless of the setting. 

*To learn more about Jen Ing Photography, please visit her website for more information.

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Winter Engagement Sessions
March 10, 2010


Author: Kate Langenberg
Photography by: Jen Ing Photography

When Boston-based photographer Jen Ing met up with Richard and Alex on a recent winter day to shoot their engagement photos, the first order of business was to take a series of pictures at the Institute of Contemporary Art on the waterfront. The location was perfect for the couple who wanted a funky backdrop for their photos, and Jen had big plans for incorporating the ICA's unique architectural elements into the pictures. However, when the trio arrived at the museum, they discovered one of the exhibits that Jen wanted to shoot inside was closed for renovations. And outside, the brutal cold made it difficult for Richard and Alex to get comfortable in front of the camera.

It was time to move to location number two, the Liberty Hotel. A classic spot that blends chic, contemporary décor with a historic feeling, the hotel provided a relaxed atmosphere for the engagement session. Thawed out and ready to go, Jen proceeded to capture images of Richard and Alex that exude a natural intimacy and warmth. 

This indoor photo shoot is proof that cold weather doesn't have to deter you from scheduling your engagement session during the winter. As Richard and Alex's photos at the Liberty Hotel show, it's possible to take advantage of an indoor location's best setting and get some truly great shots. We had the chance to talk with Jen Ing about what made their engagement session such a successful shoot. Here, she tells us about her approach to these sessions and the difference between shooting indoors and outdoors.

BB: We'd like to get your take on doing engagement sessions with couples. Can you tell us a little bit about how you like to structure the sessions?

JI: My engagement sessions have very little structure; aside from the couple, time, and place, usually little is known ahead of time on my end. I love to just explore the environment we're in, look for the light and key angles, and capture sweet gestures and interesting details. The way a session goes also depends entirely on the couple and how comfortable they are in front of the camera, so I'll adjust how much I observe or direct. 

BB: Are there any details when it comes to the sessions - an ideal location, time of day, season, or setting? Do you mostly try to work with what the couple wants?

JI: Just speaking for myself and my style, an ideal location or setting would be one that holds meaning to the couple - whether it's the place they met, the neighborhood they currently live in, or a place they enjoy visiting together. It can be outdoors or indoors. A lot of times it is just a place that the couple feels represents their personalities or interests. If they don't have a preference or can't decide then we work together to think of backdrops that might work well. 

The ideal time of day for me is anytime within an hour of sunrise or sunset, as this is the "golden hour" when the sun casts a softer and warmer glow and is generally more flattering.

Season is something I don't limit my couples to, for sure. I often find that it's the other way around - my couples prefer certain seasons and so I am limited to these seasons for shooting. It's understandable, though, if couples prefer to shoot outdoors and want to be comfortable; the Boston temps are not nearly as inviting for this in the wintertime, so my shoots have mostly taken place during the spring, summer, and fall. I am starting to love these winter and indoor sessions though, so I'll definitely be advocating for them!

BB: In the case of Richard and Alex, they wanted to shoot at the ICA but those plans were foiled due to renovations and weather. You ended up shooting at the Liberty Hotel, which provided a very unique setting for the photos. How did you have to adjust your plans to shoot mainly inside instead of outside?

JI: Like I mentioned above, I really have very little planned ahead of time for the flow of the session, but I do always come prepared to shoot indoors and out, and in natural or artificial lighting, because you never know what to expect. In this case, the hotel had large windows that offered a mix of natural and artificial lighting, and I didn't have to pull my flash out at all. In general, though, I treat outdoor and indoor spaces the same and I try to remain very loyal to my style, which is to capture very natural, relaxed portraits of couples. 

BB: Why do the outdoors seem to be favored when it comes to engagement sessions?

JI: I think natural light has a quality to it that artificial light just can't compare to, and I think it's generally what most people (photographers and non-photographers alike) prefer. I do think that it's often easier to think of beautiful places to shoot outdoors vs. indoors, and this is why the first thing couples say to me is that they want to shoot in the Public Garden or in Beacon Hill. But I'm hoping that the more indoor shoots I do, the more couples will be exposed and drawn to these other equally beautiful but also creative settings for their session. 

BB: Having done the indoor shoot with Richard and Alex, would you say you were surprised by being able to get such great shots of them indoors?

JI: It wasn't surprising - the Liberty has a gorgeous interior and lots of nooks with big windows and nice lighting. I mainly looked for perspectives and angles that took advantage of the available light. And in the areas where there was more artificial light, I tried to ensure that the background and décor of the space made up for the lack of natural light. 

BB: Was the lighting an issue at all? Are there special lighting considerations to make when shooting indoors?

JI: The trick with photographing indoors has mostly to do with the fact that there is often less light to work with, or that the color of the light looks unnatural (depending on the bulb, it can be more orange, more blue, or more green). The former is something you can fix with a flash, the latter something you can generally fix in post-processing. 

BB: What recommendations would you have for couples choosing an indoor location for their engagement session? Richard and Alex looked like they fit right in at the Liberty Hotel. 

JI: I would say definitely choose a location that you'll feel comfortable in both in terms of your personality and your dress. Though you can, you don't have to choose a luxury hotel for a backdrop if you're more of a jeans and t-shirt type of person. You don't have to choose an architecturally interesting museum if you don't actually like to frequent museums. You don't have to shoot somewhere trendy just because it's trendy. Try to think of an indoor space that is reflective of your personalities and of who you are as a couple vs. one that you just think would photograph well. 

In our case, we had already discussed starting at the ICA and moving to the Liberty Hotel when/if time allowed, so Richard and Alex were comfortable with this and planned their outfits accordingly. And they were comfortable in the space, so this made it much easier to get great images of them in it. 

BB: Do you see any advantages to doing an engagement session in the winter as opposed to spring or summer? If you're forced to go indoors during the winter, one would think you'd be able to find an intimate setting that would create a sort of closeness between the couple that reflects that intimacy. Maybe you can also do that outdoors, but it seems as though an indoor shoot would help lend a warm and cozy feel to the photos. What are you thoughts on that?

JI: I think it can definitely be seen that way, that indoor spaces create more intimate scenes and closeness between couples, but I don't see it necessarily being an advantage. You can find nooks outdoors as well and create intimate spaces in which to shoot couples, and there are styles of shooting that can evoke an intimate feeling that speaks to the skill of a photographer who can create images of a certain and consistent feel regardless of the setting. 

*To learn more about Jen Ing Photography, please visit her website for more information.


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Comments
Kendra says:

LOVE that you share gay couples....they are not featured enough on wedding blogs! so refreshing!

(03.10.10 @ 08:06 AM)
Kendra says:

LOVE that you featured a gay couple...same sex couples are not featured enough on wedding blogs! so refreshing! And these two? Adorable.

(03.10.10 @ 08:07 AM)
Shang says:

The light in this session is absolutely gorgeous! Great to see Jen's work featured here!

 (03.10.10 @ 08:09 AM)
Shannon Grant Photography says:

The black and white of them sitting on the windowsill.... soooo adorable! I just want to hug these guys :)

 (03.10.10 @ 08:34 AM)
Kirsten Amann says:

Photo #4, the black & white one, is sooo super cute! I love it.

(03.10.10 @ 10:16 AM)
Erica says:

What a great venue for an engagement session! So completely and uniquely Boston- love the Liberty Hotel- a great location for the couple!

 (03.10.10 @ 10:21 AM)
Emily says:

Great feature Jen! I love the light!

 (03.10.10 @ 10:52 AM)
mellissa says:

The window sill picture melts my heart. It really capture pure sweet love.

 (03.10.10 @ 10:58 AM)
BEANTOWN BRIDE says:


What a fab location and couple! Jen really captured such lovely moments! The Liberty Hotel is one of my personal fav locations for weddings and to go out :-) How could you not feel cool at this location?!!!

 (03.10.10 @ 01:55 PM)
Allison says:

I love this shoot! This couple looks so happy, I love how the photos really capture that. I can't wait for Jen to shoot my wedding!!

 (03.10.10 @ 06:46 PM)
Stephanie @ Geezees says:

I am in love with this couple...they are so cute!

 (03.11.10 @ 08:11 AM)
Jules Ko Photography says:

Congratulations Jen! Beautiful moments!!!

 (03.24.10 @ 09:34 AM)