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For Photographers: Posing 101 From Portraits To Weddings - Walk It Out

Posing 101: Walk It Out

Posing 101: Walk It Out

Posing 101 From Portraits To Weddings

Walk It Out

I am SO excited about my new six-week blog series, “Posing 101.” Photographers, this one is for you! I am going to share with you six of my “go-to’s” that use for my couples from a portrait session to a wedding day. With this foundation, you can feel confident and know exactly how to direct your couples. I like to use the word, “direct” because I’ve found that 80% of people just feel awkward in front of the camera. If you can direct a pose you will get the most natural-looking result. With that in mind, there are SO many different combinations and variations of how your couple will respond to each direction. My goal is to provide you with simple foundational ideas so you can have a fun session and capture natural-looking images.

Before we jump into our first pose, remember that every couple is different. I’m sure you know this, I mean of course every person is different, but I find that it’s important to remember that people photograph differently. After all, being professionally photographed is a big deal and it’s normally for a special occasion (i.e. engagements, weddings, announcing newborns, family photos etc…). Not every pose will look or work the same for every couple and that is OKAY!

When I first start a session, I normally like to tell my couples that for the first 10 minutes it will just be awkward. This helps couples relax and know that there is a warm-up before the session “starts.” If you feel nervous about going into a session, chances are your couples are too! I normally don’t even use the images from the first 10 minutes. It’s just a time to let my couple get to know me and what is expected of them during their session.

For Photographers: Posing 101 From Portraits To Weddings - Walk It Out

SO, for this warm-up time, I always start with walking. Yes, walking! Walking gets people moving. It gets all the jitters out and also provides for movement in the photos! I start by having my couple walk away from me and back towards me. We do this a few times. From there, we build upon a simple walk. I ask my couples to look at each other, pause for a kiss, or bump hips for starters.

For Photographers: Posing 101 From Portraits To Weddings - Walk It OutSunrise Engagement Session At Schiller Park In German Village

After a few times, the personality of my couples start to come out and they relax. I can then have the groom look at his bride while walking and ask her to look over her shoulder back at me. This is what I call more “advance” direction because from the simple walk we start to go into a more directed pose.

For Photographers: Posing 101 From Portraits To Weddings - Walk It OutFrench Lavender Styled Shoot: Nine Mile Lavender FarmSummer Wedding At Silver Lake Country Club - Jimmy & Tiffany - Sweet Williams Photography Columbus Ohio and Nashville TennesseeSummer Wedding At The Hilton Garden Inn: Kellie & Jared - Sweet Williams Photography, Columbus Ohio And Nashville, Tennessee

I’ve also found that walking works great for bridal parties! I normally have the bridal party slowly walk towards me while looking at each other and laughing/talking. We do this a few times as well! It makes for natural and fun images!

For Photographers: Posing 101 From Portraits To Weddings - Walk It OutSummer Wedding At The Park of Roses: Sarah and Greg, Sweet Williams PhotographyFor Photographers: Posing 101 From Portraits To Weddings - Walk It Out

If you liked this post stay tuned for next week’s Posing 101 Tip on the BLOG!

Cover photo, eighth, and tenth photo was taken while second shooting for Folchi Creative.

Sixth photo was taken while second shooting for Samantha Newman Photography.

Posing 101 From Portraits To Weddings

Walk It Out

I am SO excited about my new six-week blog series, “Posing 101.” Photographers, this one is for you! I am going to share with you six of my “go-to’s” that use for my couples from a portrait session to a wedding day. With this foundation, you can feel confident and know exactly how to direct your couples. I like to use the word, “direct” because I’ve found that 80% of people just feel awkward in front of the camera. If you can direct a pose you will get the most natural-looking result. With that in mind, there are SO many different combinations and variations of how your couple will respond to each direction. My goal is to provide you with simple foundational ideas so you can have a fun session and capture natural-looking images.

Before we jump into our first pose, remember that every couple is different. I’m sure you know this, I mean of course every person is different, but I find that it’s important to remember that people photograph differently. After all, being professionally photographed is a big deal and it’s normally for a special occasion (i.e. engagements, weddings, announcing newborns, family photos etc…). Not every pose will look or work the same for every couple and that is OKAY!

When I first start a session, I normally like to tell my couples that for the first 10 minutes it will just be awkward. This helps couples relax and know that there is a warm-up before the session “starts.” If you feel nervous about going into a session, chances are your couples are too! I normally don’t even use the images from the first 10 minutes. It’s just a time to let my couple get to know me and what is expected of them during their session.

For Photographers: Posing 101 From Portraits To Weddings - Walk It Out

SO, for this warm-up time, I always start with walking. Yes, walking! Walking gets people moving. It gets all the jitters out and also provides for movement in the photos! I start by having my couple walk away from me and back towards me. We do this a few times. From there, we build upon a simple walk. I ask my couples to look at each other, pause for a kiss, or bump hips for starters.

For Photographers: Posing 101 From Portraits To Weddings - Walk It OutSunrise Engagement Session At Schiller Park In German Village

After a few times, the personality of my couples start to come out and they relax. I can then have the groom look at his bride while walking and ask her to look over her shoulder back at me. This is what I call more “advance” direction because from the simple walk we start to go into a more directed pose.

For Photographers: Posing 101 From Portraits To Weddings - Walk It OutFrench Lavender Styled Shoot: Nine Mile Lavender FarmSummer Wedding At Silver Lake Country Club - Jimmy & Tiffany - Sweet Williams Photography Columbus Ohio and Nashville TennesseeSummer Wedding At The Hilton Garden Inn: Kellie & Jared - Sweet Williams Photography, Columbus Ohio And Nashville, Tennessee

I’ve also found that walking works great for bridal parties! I normally have the bridal party slowly walk towards me while looking at each other and laughing/talking. We do this a few times as well! It makes for natural and fun images!

For Photographers: Posing 101 From Portraits To Weddings - Walk It OutSummer Wedding At The Park of Roses: Sarah and Greg, Sweet Williams PhotographyFor Photographers: Posing 101 From Portraits To Weddings - Walk It Out

If you liked this post stay tuned for next week’s Posing 101 Tip on the BLOG!

Cover photo, eighth, and tenth photo was taken while second shooting for Folchi Creative.

Sixth photo was taken while second shooting for Samantha Newman Photography.

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