How do you try to convince your couple to act natural and play around with each other and enjoy the moment when you have to tell them every last detail from what to do, where to put there hands where to look. Ugh... The kisses seemed forced, the poses looked un-natural and I just couldn't get them to fully commit and relax.

I've had clients like this as well. It's hard, especially when they say they chose you for your natural candid feel to your photos

What Chris and I do is shoot together, we schedule time in to hang with them, get to know them (go get a drink or two if necessary to loosen them up before hand) and get them to relax. Then as one is giving GENERAL poses, (ie. stand over there, snuggle up to each other and just go ahead and talk, laugh tease each other whatever, don't worry we are far enough back that we can't hear you, heck make fun of us if you like and we will shoot from here) the other one is shooting. They are focused on the one directing, talk, joking with them and not at focused on the camera at this point. We also make sure to share with them what we are getting. If they are super stiff, start with some formal poses, show the results (act happy about it) THEN go with the more relaxed shots, and show them one of those and get SUPER excited about that one. They will see the results and feel more relaxed seeing what you are getting and begin to trust you are getting good stuff.

I know it's not always possibly, some people are just more rigid in front of the camera, but hopefully this will help. good luck!

Margaritas, all around!

Yep - If I think a couple is a bit on the stiff side, I will suggest they take the afternoon off - go have a romantic lunch together - have a 'rita' or a martini or something, and meet me for the shoot afterwards. It definitely helps!
Karen

Learn to be funny... Tell funny jokes, say funny things. Dance badly... Have them look at each other and say a funny word.

You have to be able to interact and have them feel comfortable and it shows that they were not comfortable, even akward.

Did you try tickling them? I hear that a little "koochie koochie koo" goes a long way....

This is what I was going to say. I am about the silliest person ever on shoots, but it seems to work. Plus, I get EXCITED, like, I am like.. "omg.. wow this is going to be so awesome" and I think my excitement transfers to the couple, and I can see them relax and really get into it.

I also do the . "Okay I am going back here.. you guys just have fun" or sometimes I'll be like.. "act like you just saw this really hot girl and you're going up to talk to her" or "pretend you're ending a date and going to kiss goodnight" then I just step back and snap away. It has worked great.. I have got some of my favorite shots that way.

I just looked at your exif data (the first time my firefox plug in actually worked!) Looks like they were shot with 50mm or wider lenses. Couples like this tend to do better with long focal lengths. You can stay farther away from them so they feel a little more comfortable. Just tell them to talk to each other and ignore you and wait for the right moment to start shooting.

Where in Ontario are you? I have family in Windsor.

My suggestion may come out of left field so I sorry, but don't shoot them that way. It may not at all be your style but it's mine so I think this way, but put them somewhere that THEY love. Starbucks, a coffee house, a restaurant, an ice cream store, something that gives them something to do. You go tell them to order something and just go chat at a table and ignore the photographer that's shooting them from 4 feet away. Sure you'll get kicked out of the Starbucks, but hopefully in time to have cracked off some shots. Most of their managers frown at my big lens, so to speak. When you're working with very common people you have to really provide for them in a totally different way. This may be a little personal but may be part of what happened here. So they're maybe a little heavier than they'd dreamed of when they reached this age. Sitting on the ground is the last place I want my gut hanging over my belt cause it only shows that off more. How do I know? I'm in the process of shaving my gut off right now. Shoot them from above. Bring her some flowers that fit the scene. Do something totally out of character and whacky that's going to crack them up. This is where you really prove you're a professional over the next Joe who wants this job. It's tough being a pro at this. Keep up the hard work cause that's exactly what it is.

I was so gonna attach my 70-200 mm lens but I went with the 17-55mm for the 2.8 cuz the sun was going down fast. I may have to do that. Get away. Far far away and let them carry on about there business and just start snapping.

I do know this couple pretty well so I may suggest getting some informal shots at the local watering hole to loosen them up.... It's all a learning experience and a good one at that!

Thank you so much for the suggestions!!

My favorite, works everytime- just go over there and make out for a little bit- always gets them loose