Tips and Ideas for Couples Portraits with Rainbows

Wedding days are special enough already, but on occasion, when the conditions are just right, rainbows appear and give photographers a unique opportunity to capture a bit of magic in the sky for couples portraits. You might consider this lucky, but luck only happens when an opportunity is met with preparation. So, to help ensure you’re able to make the most of a rainbow appearing during a session, we’ve put together a list of tips and ideas alongside inspirational photos of couples portraits with rainbows.

All of the images in this article are provided by the photographers at Wedding Maps and used with their permission.

How to Photograph a Rainbow

Before we get into different posing ideas and other creative tips, let’s cover the basics for photographing a rainbow so that it shows up in our photos.

Know When and Where to Look for Rainbows

While we don’t typically have the ability to create large scale rainbows on demand, there are a couple of telltale signs that can help us recognize when the opportunity to photograph a rainbow will present itself.

First, the two main ingredients for rainbows–water droplets and sunlight–must be present. So, if it recently rained or looks like rain is on its way, and if there’s a decent enough break in the clouds to allow rays of sunlight to pass through, then you stand a good chance of spotting rainbows.

The other important factor in tracking rainbows has to do with the time of day. Fortunately, most photographers won’t have to worry about this part because they do not usually schedule sessions around the middle of the day, which is the least likely time to find rainbows due to the angle of the sun. You’ll have a better chance of capturing these spectral wonders closer to the morning or late afternoon as the sun must be less than 42° above the horizon in order for the rainbow to appear. The more you know!

Aperture – Depth of Field

Assuming conditions are ideal and a rainbow appears in the forecast, one of the first things we’ll want to do is intentionally set our aperture. Because we’re discussing rainbows in the context of couples portraits, our focal point is already somewhat pre-determined. More often than not, the couple will take the primary focus. However, we also want to highlight the rainbow. If we go too shallow with our depth of field, the rainbow could get lost in the mix and wind up a strip of colorful bokeh. Instead, start somewhere between f/8 and f/16 to ensure the rainbow remains recognizable.

Ambient Exposure

With our aperture set, we can now dial in our shutter speed and ISO. When photographing rainbows, we’ll need to strike a careful balance with our exposure, more often leaning toward a slightly darker exposure for the sake of preserving the details in the rainbow. If necessary, we should be able to light our subjects using flash or a reflector to lift them back out of the shadows. Of course, this will vary depending on your personal taste and goals for the shot, and post-production can go a long way toward getting you there as well.

Lens Choice

There are few scenarios when lens choice doesn’t factor heavily into the outcome of the shot. When photographing couples portraits with rainbows, you’ll definitely want to consciously consider which lens will work best to make the shot work. For example, if you want to make the rainbow appear larger in the shot, you’ll likely opt for a telephoto lens to take advantage of the compression and bring the rainbow closer to your couple in the frame. On the other hand, if you want to capture the full arc of the rainbow, especially in the context of an epic landscape, then a wide-angle lens is the best choice.

RAW Files for Editing

It should be no secret that post-production, aka editing, can make or break any photo, and the same holds true for couples portraits with rainbows. Be sure to use RAW files to give yourself the most flexibility when it comes to recovering details. While it’s true that the way you capture photos in-camera will play a huge role in maximizing the dynamic range of your shot, being able to push those details further with RAW files will also make a big difference.

Rainbow Photography Ideas

In addition to finding rainbows and dialing in your camera settings, you’ll want to have some ideas ready to go when it comes to composing your shot and posing your subjects. We’ve put together a quick list of ideas to use for reference so that you can take full advantage of the window of time you have available to capture rainbow portraits.

Capture the Full Rainbow

If you’re “lucky” enough to come across a full rainbow, or maybe even a double rainbow, be sure to capture it in all of its grandeur! What better backdrop is there to create the ultimate epic environmental couples portrait?

Compositionally, a full rainbow provides a unique backdrop for positioning your couple directly in the center of the frame. Of course, they work equally well when placed off to the side.

The real creative choice comes in determining the scale of the couple in relation to the rainbow and the overall scene. You can place the couple closer to the camera to occupy more space in the frame, or you can create more distance between the camera and the couple to show the grand scale of the rainbow and keep the subjects relatively smaller in comparison.

Use the Rainbow as a Leading Line

Aside from bringing a splash of color to couples portraits, rainbows also work well as compositional elements. One of their strongest uses comes in the form of leading lines. You can strategically place your couple alongside one of the “edges” of the rainbow and use the colorful arc as a leading line that guides viewers eyes directly to your subjects.

Capture Action Under the Rainbow

Even though you’re capturing still frames, your subjects don’t have to be static. Direct your subjects into various actions, whether that be dancing, twirling, walking, or even kissing. Here are a few shots demonstrating different action ideas.

 

 

Get in Close Under the Rainbow

Not all couples portraits with rainbows need to be “epic” in the traditional sense. It’s okay to move in close and capture more intimate portraits of your subjects sharing a candid moment.

Treat this like you would a typical couples session. The couple can sit or stand close together, share a laugh or a smile, or even just a glance in one another’s direction. For your part, position yourself and your subjects in a way that also allows you to capture at least a portion of the rainbow to give the image that little something extra.

Include Foreground Elements

If you’re staring at a wide open, beautiful landscape, then by all means, capture it as is. Still, even a beautiful landscape shot can benefit from the use of foreground elements. Including foreground elements, such as flowers, trees, or anything else that occupies the space between the camera and the subjects, can add depth to the image. In addition, you can use these elements to conceal other elements that you don’t want to include in the frame, perhaps a car, trash can, or even other people.

Conclusion + More Inspiration

We hope you found these tips and ideas for couples portraits with rainbows helpful. A little know-how can go a long way when photographing rainbows, so adding these tips to your photography toolbox should help you capture a rainbow the next time you see one. Be sure to check out the photos below for more inspiration.