5 Posing Tips For Beautiful Wedding Photos
A big topic of discussion coming your way in this blog. That one nerve-racking thing that’s on everyone’s mind when we’re preparing for a photoshoot - posing! Before I mastered this, when a camera pointed at me I would suddenly loose all sense of how to be a human. I’d start overthinking about how I was standing, what I was doing with my hands, whether or not I should look at the camera, wondering if I looked as awkward as I felt… It was not my favorite feeling to say the least, and I’d bet many of you have felt this very same thing. A lot of our Light Garden couples joke with us that the last time they had their photos taken was during their senior photoshoot! So believe me friend I get it, but more importantly… I got you!
I promise all the awkward feelings can be soothed with a photographer who’s spent time mastering the art of posing. Someone who can not only walk you through it but can make it fun! Much like a pilates instructor showing you the moves, and then pumping you full of confidence along the way!
So lets dive in shall we? Here’s everything I’ve studied through the years about the art of posing all in a tidy little email written just for you!
1. Posture
The number one thing to be mindful of is your posture. Many times when we gather for a photo with our besties we all lock arms behind each other’s backs and hunch together. Not only does this accentuate the widest, and most unflattering angle of the body, we also loose those beautiful lines of our necks and arms. This especially applies to my tall girls out there constantly hunching over to be more eye level with their friends.
Try this instead: Turn yourself sideways 45° and keep your arm closest to the camera naturally at your side, whether you’re posing alone or with a group. Accentuate your depth instead of your width with that beautiful angle of your shoulders and hips. Secondly, stand tall my friend! Lengthen your spine, especially your neck, and relax your shoulders.
My Mom was an exceptional professional dancer, and has the most graceful poise of any woman I know. She used to always say to me when I was young and slouchy, “Stand up honey and shine from your heart like you’re wearing a ruby necklace!” She is so right, you guys. It does wonders for the body and I use this line often during photoshoots while warmly thinking of her.
Pro tip:
As the photos are being taken, slide your face forward an inch like someone is pulling your nose toward the camera with a string. Your neck will have never looked so good!
2. Bend Your Joints
The first thing I do when I’m feeling awkward is lock out my knees and elbows. It’s amazing how quickly this will turn you from a graceful human to a rigid robot. It’s unflattering for the legs, it limits the range of your hips, and paired with locked elbows… it’s a posing disaster.
Try this instead - So now that we’re at a 45° angle and have lengthened our spine, shift your weight into that hip away from the camera so you can bend that front leg. To help with this point those front toes right at the camera. This creates a very flattering, curvy line from your hips to your toes. Even if you’re wearing a floor length gown, this technique will do wonders for your shape.
Secondly, it’s all about the angle of that camera facing elbow. Avoid smashing your arm on your side body by bending your elbow and giving your hand something to do. This is easy for a bride because she’s typically holding a bouquet. You could also bend your elbow and place your hand on your partners arm, or your friend next to you, or on your waist (not hip like the common misconception), or even folded across your other arm. This is a long used technique currently known as the “skinny arm”.
3. Incorporate Movement
Often times when we’re posing for a quick iPhone photo, we freeze up like a statue! That photo can be cute don’t get me wrong, but it often lacks a bit of personality and joy.
Try this instead - Human beings are mobile creatures! We’re built to run and skip and play! Once we nail a few traditional portraits, I ask my couples to run around with me! It’s a wonderful way to shake the nerves, and give the mind something else to think about so the body can relax. I have couples hold hands and lead each other, sometimes we’ll skip, sometimes we’ll do that very dramatic, slow motion beach run toward each other. Anything fun and lighthearted will do to to invite some natural laughter and joy. These photos are often my favorites from the entire photoshoot.
Pro tip:
When you’re moving think “light”. Light on your toes, engaged your core, bend your knees… just like they told you in high school gym class!
4. Connection
Here’s the million dollar question… what do I do with my hands? I’m constantly thinking about my hands and my awkward little fingers. I talk with my hands so usually they just do their own thing, but when a camera comes out... well we talked about that already. ;)
Try this instead - Unsure what to do with your hands? My short answer is - touch your partner! Hold their hands, brush her hair out of her face, grab him by the lapel or collar and pull him in for a kiss, wrap your arms around each other for a cuddle…. the possibilities are endless really. Physical touch is a marvelous, visual expression of love that will give any viewer the warm and fuzzies.
Pro tip:
Avoid facing the back of your hand toward the camera. Particularly for women, the sideview of that line from your wrist to your pinky is much more flattering.
5. Expression
So we’re warmed up a bit now, we’ve built this beautiful pose with the body, we’ve incorporated movement and touch… now it’s time finish our masterpiece with the perfect expression. Let me get real with you for a second - I have a huge smile. So huge in fact, it takes over my face and smushes my neck when I fake smile like I did for my senior photos. Not good.
Try this instead - Happy thoughts are the key ingredient to a natural expression. When you truly feel happy, your face will show it. What we’re trying to hone in your photos is a natural smile that you can feel both on your lips and in the corners of your eyes. Indulge me for a second and try it now. Think of your last date night, or the last sweet thing your fiancé did for you. Feel that warmth. Feel it in your smile, your sigh, your inner voice saying “awwww”, and bring your attention to the corners of your eyes. Feel how they are smiling too? THAT’S what were looking for. Often times we can faux smile with our mouth, but if our eyes aren’t saying the same thing our overall expression in the photo will fall flat.
Pro tip:
Look away from the camera for that more candid style photo too! You might look your partner in the eye, roll your eyes up for a laugh, close your eyes for a cuddle, look over your shoulder, or look over your photographer’s shoulder. Wherever you end up looking, a general rule of thumb is to look where your nose is pointing or, in other words, where your nose goes your eyes follow.
And voilà! Your five tips to master the art of posing to ensure you look amazing in your photos! Now don't feel like you need to memorize these for a pop quiz. During our photoshoots here at Light Garden we walk you through every step, fine-tune the poses we'll put you into, and build your confidence and joy along the way. We’ll help you look GOOD!
I hope this was helpful and, as always, thank you so much for being here!
