When I first started my photography business I would print poses out that I liked and felt conveyed the look I was going for. I eventually stopped carrying around a binder and graduated to my cell phone. Although I do sometimes cheat and bust out my phone when I have a new pose I want to introduce, I mainly go through a flow of poses I feel highlight the couple, which I call my posing flow. Now not every single pose works for every single client, and I am never one to force something that just isn’t working. Here are a few tips to getting the best out of one location, and keeping it simple with them standing and facing each other.

1. Starting off I give the clients an easy pose, not too intrusive of each other’s space; I consider this the warm up. I may keep it super simple, like holding hands and smiling at each other.
2. Then I may have them put their foreheads together or have them do some eskimo kisses. Here is where I can start to tell how much personal space they each need. Some can do this with no problem while others it just does not feel natural, and it is totally fine. If I feel like they are almost there, I may have them pull apart, give them a little pep talk, encouraging them to be in the moment, and have them try again.
3. Depending on the height of the couple I may have one place a kiss on the other’s forehead. This works great is one if taller then the other.
4. Next I will have him wrap her completely up pulling her in closely with her hands placed on his chest and just tell him to nuzzle one side of her face. I make sure to have him nuzzler her on the side where her face is most exposed. Make sure that she keeps pretty fingers and doesn’t claw or spread her fingers apart.
5. This leads into the perfect time for him to plant a wet one right on her cheek. This will normally get a nice big smile from her.
6. Lastly, my all time favorite, the almost kiss. Let the couple actually kiss but just have them go slow working their way into the kiss. The almost kiss creates a very romantic image, especially when cropped tight and thrown into a beautiful black and white.

Here is this exact posing flow, please excuse the awful sound quality, who knew waves could be so loud!:

Here is the video of the results from this posing flow:

Posing a client doesn’t have to be overly complicated in the end you want to give some direction, they are nervous, you are all excited, and you want to make them comfortable. Talk to them, tell them what you are planning to do with them and that you guys are in this together. You are the expert. Study posing, and practice poses in the mirror to understand how different body movements can give you a whole new look. Lastly have fun!! Your energy will shine through.

You can see these images along with all the images from this gorgeous session with Jenna and Vili on my blog.

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