Tips For Photographers: Posing Couples

If there is one question I get asked the most, it is "how do you pose people to look natural?" You can have the technical side of your camera down, but without that emotional connection through the lens, your photos are going to fall flat. When I first started taking photos I would take tons of examples from Pinterest and work to re-create shots that I admired from other photographer's work. (In the beginning, while you are developing your style and finding what makes your heart sing artistically, I think it can be a great learning tool to re-create others work.) Eventually, I found that something was missing and I knew I was ready to start making portrait and posing decisions on my own without that safety net of others work. It wasn't until I did that and let go that I began to really connect with my clients and started to see the results I was working towards.

As photographers, we work to capture genuine moments. We want to to document real emotion in a stunning way; the photos that resonate the most with me are un-staged and unscripted. So, how do we create an environment to get those type of shots? Great question!

1. Get Moving! Things go south quickly when a couple has clearly been holding a smile or pose for far too long and it starts to get "stale". It is so easy to spot a fake smile, so I work really hard not to "pose" my clients. A lot of times, there is a position I want my couples to wind up in, but I don't want them to be holding a position too long so I will simply show them where I want them to end up, have them move out of the pose and then when I say "action" they make their way back to whatever stance we have chosen. In those few seconds between moving and hitting the "pose" is when the photo GOLD happens... genuine smiles, laughter and movement bring the photo to life! If you are having a hard time experimenting with movement, an easy way to start would be to simply have your couple walk in front of you. Sometimes, the simple things yield the best images!

In the photo below the bride and groom were walking toward this barn for photos in a glorious field of wheat-- I hollered for them to kiss as they were walking and this was the resulting image, which I am in love with!

2. Positive Reinforcement – Most everyone who shows up to a photo session feels incredibly awkward and silly. It's our job to put our couples and clients at ease. I like to give people permission to act like complete dorks. (In fact, often doing something really silly gets the couple laughing and sometimes creates the BEST photos of genuine interaction and fun). Dish out the positive feedback! Let them know they are doing an amazing job, and never be negative. Nothing kills a session faster than killing someone's confidence, so lay on the compliments!

3. Say What You Mean- It is always good to have a few "pose" ideas in the back of your mind. Be confident in what you want to create and give simple, clear direction. I have seen a few photographers too timid to say what they want, and as a result, they aren't creating the art they want to be creating. So, speak up! Say what you mean, and what you need from your clients (in a pleasant way! of course!).

In this photo I placed all the girls loosely, and then instructed them to look at the bride and laugh. The shot wasn't coming out like I wanted, so I gave additional instruction to have them lean in. The girls were having so much fun and this shot is one of my favorite bride and bridesmaid images to date!

4. Don't Be Afraid To Re-Do Things.. Or Scrap Them All Together!
Part of getting great photos is taking risks and trying new things... sometimes an idea I have will turn out to be amazing, and other times things just aren't working. I am never afraid to be honest with my clients and say "I'm not loving this, let's move on and try something else". Since so much of my instruction for couples involve movement I often have them repeat something more than once. The first time they get comfortable and I figure out where I need to stand to frame the shot, and the next few times are usually when we get the "money" shot! Don't be afraid to re-try poses and moves, or take a risk and try something completely out of your comfort zone!

5. Props! Using fun props that help to tell a story are pretty much my favorite. Photos are so personal, and it is so fun to incorporate meaningful items. I also love props as ice breakers, or for couples who may be a little uncomfortable in front of the camera. Giving your client something to do takes the pressure off and allows them to relax!

In the photo below we used a bright blue blanket in the snow. The couple snuggled in tight and the intimacy created juxtaposed against the snow makes this series one of my favorites! In the photo photo following, the bride brought along her beloved horse for some stunning images in the woods!

All in all, posing takes time and practice and it wasn't until I had been doing it a solid 2 years that I finally felt comfortable. I still try new things, some which don't work at all and others which turn out great! It is all about continuing to push yourself creatively while having a blast with your couples and bringing out their personalities and love stories! Hopefully these tips help you start to find your photographic voice! To read my last post, on how to choose portrait locations click HERE!