Cole and Erin
LoDo, Denver
September 29, 2007
I met with Erin and Cole this weekend in downtown Denver for a fun engagement session. Erin grew up in Denver, and she and Cole recently moved back there after living in California for several years. We chose an urban feel to their engagement portraits, which was really fun! I can’t wait until their wedding in November.
We started by wandering around Union Station, which turned out to be a great location for portraits.
The 40D is a great camera! You’ll definitely want some sharp and fast lenses to make the best of that camera, though. I highly recommend the 85mm f1.8 lens. It’s only about $350, and it’s a great portrait lens.
If you want a wide angle lens, the 17-40mm f4 is pretty inexpensive, and it’s great for some fun perspectives for outdoor engagement portraits. If you have a higher budget, you could choose the 16-35mm f2.8 instead.
Good luck!
Dear Charlotte,
I actually just bought my first professional camera after seeing how glorious your pictures are. I used to have a Rebel, but just bought a canon 40d 10.1 and I was wondering what your thoughts are on it? I started doing engagement pictures with the rebel over a year ago, and they came out pretty well. I was wondering if you could recommend some lenses or even some good tutorials on how I can get even 1/2 as good as you. Thank you!
gosh, these are amazing 😀 you’re probably the best photographer I’ve ever seen.
not one photos looks really “posed”, and I love that – you captured real moments, instead of saying “okay, now, look happy”. 🙂
those two photos you shot from above are spectacular – the one with them looking up at you, and then one that highlights her ring. those are my favorites.
Such cool, fun, photos. I like how in the second one up there they look tiny on the bench.
awwww…
Hi! I’m Amy- Erin’s Maid of Honor. I just looked at these while on the phone with Erin and I have to say that I’m actually speechless at how amazing they look (I said “awwww” to her about a thousand times.) The one under the street light (right after he goosed her) is the most quintessentially them- I’m truly impressed. I’m so happy that someone has managed to capture the fun, loving, awesome, hilarious, and sweet spirit of Erin and Cole. I love them with all my heart and you did a fabulous job of representing them. Thank you!
Beautious!
you completley astound me! every single photoshoot you do are so spectacular and this one is no different!
When I get married (a million years from now) I am flying you out to Scotland! mark my words!
the last two shots here are completley beautiful.
Thanks! Actually I haven’t been to Canada in four years, but I’d love to go anytime.
Re: Love the pictures!
Hi Kate! It’s great to know that you think I captured Erin and Cole so well (and Robin and Vanessa, too!) Thanks so much for telling people about my phtoography; I really appreciate the referrals. I can’t wait to meet you in November! 🙂
Aw, that makes me smile. Thanks, Lindy!
I’m sorry you miss Denver! It really is a wonderful city.
Thanks very much! I loved the change of scenery, too. A little variety keeps me creative. 🙂
Thanks! Your typo made me laugh. 🙂
I really love the settings they chose. That it something I would be more prone to do. 🙂
I agree with what everyone else said, plus, you really captured what beautiful skin the bride has. She looks flawless!
And they both have gorgeous eyes, I love the shot from above.
My heartaches for Denver! These are gorgeous! I love the first one and the last one. It’s like the world is going on but they are in their own world, it’s beautiful. And the ones in Union Station are fantastic! Awesome work! 🙂
Charlotte, you Always amaze me with your talent. Thank you!
Do yourself & Mike ever make your way up past the Canadian border?
Love the pictures!
Hi. My name is Kate (friend of Erin and Cole, and of Robin and Vanessa). I just love these pictures. You have captured their love and energy so wonderfully. I almost cried when I saw these. I can’t wait to meet you at the wedding. I am telling everyone I know that you are the best photographer ever!
Yeah, I’m not afraid of direct flash anymore. I use it all the time, despite so many people’s aversions to it. It looks beautiful when it’s well balanced with ambient light. It just took me a while to figure that out.
I actually don’t own any IS lenses, believe it or not. My hand is usually really shaky, but that 135mm prime lens is nice and light. For several of those night shots, I braced myself against a light post for extra stability.
Direct flash… damn! It worked perfectly. 🙂
Were you using an IS lens? If not, handholding that is very impressive. You’re much steadier than I am.
Thanks, Thumper!
Here’s my technical info for that shot:
Canon 5D
ISO 1000
f2.0
1/60 second (hand-held very carefully)
Backlight from street lights
Fill light from direct flash (hot shoe mounted)
I almost never use any flash diffuser these days. Instead, I expose for the ambient light, and dial down the flash a stop or two. I think this one is dailed down about two stops.
You never cease to amaze me! You know I want to grow up and be just like you…
Ditto
stunning. I love your work!
Absolutely beautiful photography! You never cease to impress with your creativity and talent. 🙂
From a technical standpoint, I’m curious how you handled the lighting in the nighttime street pictures, especially this one:
You had to have used some kind of flash, but the softness and diffusion of the fill light is wonderful… what’s your secret? 😀
Wow, I love these. They look so in love. It’s amazing. =)
STUNNING!!!!!!!!!!! Everytime you post I miss Denver even more….I WANT TO GO HOME!!!
As usual, you have done a marvelous job.
Probably one of my favorite shoots…that second picture, goodness. I love the change of scenery. 🙂
Beautiful series. I especially like the one on the bench.
I love urban shots, they ass such a different character. Wonderful as always!
I love urban shoots. There are so many backdrops that lend themselves well that it almost seems too easy.
These are pretty awesome. I like the last few with the lights from downtown in the background. Made for some really cool lighting. They look like a fun photogenic couple!
no words, only love! thanx for the pictures. they are amazing. the best I’ve seen recently.