A Guide to Posing for Your Photos - Vancouver WA Photographer, Portland OR

The key to taking genuine, authentic, and candid photos is knowing how to pose in front of the camera. You may think “Posing for candid photos?”, well yes, even “candid” photos get posed.

If you’ve never taken professional photos before or if you simply want to improve on your last session, here is some advice on how to pose that will leave you with exceptional images.

Get Close

For family photos, the last thing you want is a family portrait that looks stiff and awkward. The secret to creating a beautiful, intimate family photo is to get close. Snuggle up with the people you love if you want the best photos. If there are people of varying heights in the photo, take a few photos on the same level so that you can get your heads close together too.

Have Fun

Your photos always look more authentic when you are genuinely having fun and laughing. Spend time talking about your favorite vacation or a memory that makes you laugh out loud. These candid moments always make for the best photos.

Keep it Natural

When you overthink posing, it takes away from the genuineness of your photos, which is why it helps to shoot your photos in a setting where you’re comfortable and where you can let loose as naturally as possible. For example, if you’re in an outdoor setting, take a little walk. If you’re shooting at home, bake something or snuggle up with a book. 

Use Your Surroundings

Very often, standing upright in the middle of a room or garden will make your photos look and feel stiff. Use your surroundings to make yourself more comfortable. For example, if there’s a wall in the vicinity, lean up against it. If there’s a couch available, pose on that for a few shots.

Make Use of Props

If you would like to change things up a bit or give the younger child something to do, you can also always incorporate a few basic props into your photos to get a few non-standard shots. 

If you still have questions about your shoot and how to make the most of it, let me know and I’ll be happy to assist you with additional tips.