Natural posing – what to expect from your couple portraits
Is ‘Natural Posing' even a thing? I have put together a few tips in this short blog post how to get the best out of your couple portrait session and engagement shoots and to put your mind at ease.
A lot of couples bring this topic up at our first initial meeting: “We don’t like our photo taken” …Well, most people, including me don’t like having their photo taken. So I worked on my approach to make the couple portrait session as comfortable and fun as possible. “Posing” doesn’t need to be cheesy or unnatural. First of all, my top tips for couple photos and feeling like a natural in front of the camera:
Trust me/your photographer and let them direct you
It’s a chance to have some alone time on your wedding day (apart from me following you around!) – embrace it
It’s okay to be nervous, but I will tell you what to do and will be with you all the way. Plus you don’t need to look at the camera most of the time
Always be touching or giving each other attention! This is soooooo important – you need to connect with each other. Without connection there is no magic in the photos!
Keep moving, dance, paddle in the shore or just be be silly – it makes for beautiful natural images if you’re moving around
Don’t look at the camera (unless told!). We will take a full length portrait with you looking at me towards the end of the session. So we can see your outfits and makeup etc.
Try and keep hands occupied – ideally touching and connecting with your partner. Believe me, hands are so important in an image
Get close, and be in the moment, you have just got married and it is fine to hug, kiss and get close
Schedule in your couple shots after dinner when you have had a few drinks or a second session
Try to forget you are being photographed
Book an engagement shoot before your big day to learn how it feels to be in front of the camera and work with your photographer
Have a laugh!
It feels like a lot to take in right now, but believe me it will be easy. Here are a few of my ‘go to shots’ to give you an idea:
Walking towards me / Walking away
Heads together
Dance and Swirl, Pick Up
Sitting
Close Up of Details
Standing together looking away
Getting Close
Generally being silly - one of my favourites!
The landscape - aka tiny people
Classic Standing Together
Candid Shots during the day- definitely my favourite!
If you want to practise ‘natural posing’ please contact me for availability of a portrait session or engagement / pre wedding shoot. Let’s go and have some fun!