Couple photography: Perfect for two or three

As a photographer, I've helped many couples photograph lasting memories that they can enjoy for many years to come. However, I would sometimes wonder, “Can a couple take these photos themselves, then use the money they've saved (from hiring a photographer and makeup artist) to travel to more countries instead?”

One day, I decided to answer this question definitively. My boyfriend and I were celebrating our 5th anniversary and going on a holiday – so I brought along my Sony Alpha 7C camera, FE 40mm F2.5 G prime lens, Vario-Tessar T* FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS zoom lens, and a tripod.

I decided to be my own “couple photographer” and see the results! The photos you'll see below, have all been taken either by hand or with a tripod.

General tips for couple photography

Coordinate your colours!
The basics of couple photography begins with matching your outfits. Choose a similar colour and style, or go with complementary colours to create visual harmony.

Mornings are best
Generally, the most suitable time for outdoor shoots is in the morning (but not too early) and before dusk in the afternoon, as the light is softer during this period. You'll want to avoid harsh sunlight as the colours in your photos will be affected by light that's too bright.

Get the Sony mobile app
If you own a Sony Alpha camera, you can download Sony's mobile app to your phone. It'll make controlling your shots and timers so much easier, especially when you've set up your camera perfectly on your tripod.

Expand your possibilities with zoom

The Vario-Tessar T* FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS zoom lens adds a level of convenience and flexibility to your shoots, as you can adjust the focal length of our lens while remaining in one spot. Also, when choosing the wide-angle 24MM, you will be able to capture more of the scene.

Sublime coastlines
For shots like these, choose a time closer to dusk for more beautifully coloured coasts.

Vivid indoor shots
Although we were indoors (and I could have used my prime lens), I decided to shoot these with my Vario-Tessar T* FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS zoom lens. The slightly longer focal length created more vivid photos, which told more compelling stories.

You can also experiment with creating distance and intimacy in your photos with your poses – or even look away from the camera if you (or your partner) feel shy about looking into the lens.

The Sony Alpha 7C and Vario-Tessar T* FE 24-70mm F4 ZA OSS zoom lens perform well in both bright and dark environments, like these!

Experimenting with focal lengths
One of the joys of using a zoom lens is easily changing the focal length to get different shots.

Mobile convenience at a tap
After downloading the “Imaging Edge Mobile” app to your smartphone, you can connect it to your Sony Alpha 7C camera, which opens up a world of possibilities. Now, you can use your phone to operate the shutter, shooting mode, white balance, and other operations of your camera.

And after taking a shot, you can view the photo from your phone – and even upload it to your phone to share on social media within seconds!

The romance of couple photography

I set out on this trip to find an answer to my question, “Can couple photography be done with just two people, a camera and lenses, and a tripod?”

Objectively speaking, if there's a special moment that you really want to capture – a photographer can certainly be helpful, as you can get vivid photographs from more angles. Also, your photographer may capture a magical moment that happens spontaneously.

Ultimately, this is a decision that you'll have to make on your own. But one thing's for sure – by having a great camera and lenses with you, you and your partner will be able to capture a lot more of life's precious moments – so you'll have more amazing memories to reminisce on in the years ahead.