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!

Engagement Session Crantock Cornwall // Gemma & Adam

A few from Gemma and Adam’s engagement session at Crantock a few weeks back. Gamma and Adam are getting married in July at Knightor Winery. They wanted a little practise before their big day, so we arranged an engagement shoot to ease their nerves of getting photographed. I love meeting couples this way, it really helps to get to know each other a bit and how we work together before the wedding day.

Here is a little taster from the session…

Cornwall Engagement Photography - Holywell Bay // Dan & Imogen

It was a pleasure to meet Dan and Imogen for their engagement photos a few weeks back. We went to one of my favourite local beaches, Holywell Bay. This beautiful Cornish gem is one of my top go to locations for photoshoots. Dan and Imogen don’t like their photos taken and wanted a bit of practice before their wedding in May. We had a great time and I’m quite sure they realised that it’s pretty easy to create some unposed, natural portraits… I can’t wait to shoot their wedding soon…

So great to meet you guys! Roll n May…

Saunassa Nordic SPA Photoshoot

I recently worked on something a little different, a branding / business photoshoot for Saunas Nordic Spa in Newquay to create images for their new website launch and social media. The Nordic Spa is located in the heart of Newquay, a unique place where you can relax, unwind and promote health and wellness. With a wood-fired sauna, 2 hot tubs, chilled bath, cold plunges. A true feel good heaven!

Here are a few images from the recent shoot