EVER FEEL LIKE YOU GET AWKWARD IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA?
Yes! Yes, I answered my own question, but truthfully, I am that person, so I get it. Have you ever been given instructions and you totally blank out trying to remember and understand what they mean? Yeah, me too. I end up feeling silly because I start doing anything and everything so I’m not just standing there awkwardly.
Oh, you can relate? Okay, how about this: me, a photo obsessed girl, always awkward in front of the camera. Now picture this. My boyfriend is totally not a fan of photos. Casual, professional, whatever the case, he does not like them. So for the once-a-year photo I pull out of him, he definitely needs (and wants) instruction. So I get it. Truly.
But can you believe this? Every single client I’ve had who has told me they’re awkward in front of the camera just… isn’t. They’re like total pros. My jaw is always on the floor because what do you mean you thought you’d be awkward in front of the camera??
Okay, but some honesty: I have had some clients where you can tell they feel awkward once the camera comes out. And that doesn’t mean they aren’t killing it at the same time, it just means I can tell they feel a little uncomfy.
So what do I — as your photographer — do when I can tell the lens isn’t your jam?
I’ll start here: I love and appreciate a good documentary style, but that isn’t how I go about shooting. It’s just not me, because I know I would want pretty clear instruction when getting my photos done. So I’ll talk you through poses, act them out, and always make sure you’re comfortable with what we’re doing.
Sometimes I’ll switch things up and give you a prompt like, “play tag with your partner.” While this isn’t a specific “pose” per se, it brings movement into your images and gives you straightforward instructions, it’s basically a game. Oh yes, you will probably play at least one game with me during your session.
Okay, keep scrolling for some of my go to poses, for the awkward girls and guys or the photo pro's.
FRAME HER FACE...
Ahhh, a phrase you’ll probably hear me say about 10 times during our session together. There is something so cinematic and so intimate about face framing. I like to call these shots your POV shots.
You know, just the casual point of view of your partner staring deep into your soul for about three minutes while the sound of my shutter is firing like nobody’s business.
But seriously, I adore these shots because when you look back, you see the absolute look of love, the shimmer in their eyes, and you think, “they really do love me.” That… and it totally feels like a scene from a movie.
"KISS WITH YOUR TEETH'
"Kiss with our what?" That's usually the first thing out of my clients mouth but yes kiss with your teeth. You know why? Because its causes laughter and big smiles while being so up close and personal. Okay here's how: tilt your head like you're about to give a smooch but instead just smile really big, your teeth should almost be touching your partners that's how close you should be.
"LETS GO BIRD WATCHING."
Well… I haven’t actually said that to prompt this pose just yet, but here’s what I mean. Time to get cozy, and only if you’re up for it. I start by telling my couple to lay next to each other on their backs. Seriously. Bird watching.
Similar to the POV shots, you’re going to take turns looking at each other. One person looks up at the sky — oh, a blue bird… oh, a hummingbird, how pretty… the clouds look nice today — blah blah blah, you get the point. All while the other stares deeply, admiring how lovely the other looks.
Then I love to follow that up with you two intertwining fingers up towards the sky, this is perfect for engagement sessions with the ring directed straight at the camera.
"PLAY TAG"
Okay, let’s go, time to move a little. Enough bird watching and staring into each other’s souls (joking… mostly). But yes, tag. I’m for real!
This will be the shortest game of tag you’ve probably ever played, but it’s always one of my favorites. I love bringing movement into imagery, and tag is one of the easiest and most natural ways to do that. There’s something about motion that instantly loosens people up and gets genuine laughter going.
All you have to do is chase each other around, no one wins, no pressure, you just keep chasing. It usually turns into laughing, bumping into each other, and forgetting the camera is even there. We’ll do this for about 30 seconds, and I promise it creates some of the most fun, real, joy-filled images.
DRAWING A CLOSE
So here we are, at the end. If you’ve made it this far, thank you for taking the time to read my very first blog post! I thoroughly enjoyed putting this together and can’t wait to publish more.
I hope these tips helped, whether you’re a posing pro or an “awko taco” like me. And if you’re a client, I hope you gained some insight into my posing process.
As always, feel free to reach out with any questions through my contact page, I’d love to hear from you!
