So, you are getting ready for your engagement session (which is a super exciting time), but you’re a little nervous. Maybe this is your first time in front of a camera, or you just think you’re going to look awkward. You have most likely spent a lot of time thinking about how to pose for engagement photos in a way that makes you look and feel great.
Well, you’re in luck. As an engagement photographer, I have worked with a ton of couples and have helped them create magical photos that they love. Whether you love being in front of the camera or have never had a professional picture taken before, there are a few tips I have for making the most out of your session.
Let’s take a look at some of my top tips for how to pose for engagement photos and what I do to help create pictures that my couples cherish forever!
Tips for How to Pose for Engagement Photos
Make your main focus interacting with your partner
My first, and maybe most important tip, is to make sure that your main focus is interacting with your partner, not “posing” for the camera. A lot of people are worried that they are going to look awkward in the photos, but as I like to say, as long as you like each other, that’s all anyone will see in your photos!
Your engagement session is meant to celebrate your and your partner’s relationship and the life that you are starting together. These photos don’t have to look like they are going to be on the cover of Vogue if that doesn’t represent your relationship.
The best way to get more comfortable in front of the lens and have an amazing time is to just have fun with your partner. This can mean a lot of different things. You could:
Try to make each other laugh: Take this time to have fun and soak up the moment. Tell your favorite jokes or laugh about embarrassing moments you’ve had. Doing this will help take your mind off of what you are doing and not focus so much on the camera but on each other instead.
Reminisce about your favorite memories: A great way to be in the moment and feel connected to your partner and what you’re doing is to reminisce about your favorite memories as a couple up to this point.
Talk about your first date and how awkward it was or how nervous you were meeting each other’s parents for the first time. Talking about these moments can not only make you smile and feel amazing, but it also helps you to take a breath.
Talk about your future together: This is such an exciting time for you and your partner, and it is the start of your new life together. Take that in and enjoy it! Talk about where you want to go for your honeymoon or what you want your dream kitchen to look like.
I promise you that doing little things like this will make you feel much more comfortable and will help your personality shine through.
Play games: If you’re worried about not knowing what to do with your hands or how to stand the exact right way for the photos, why not play some games together or do something active? Whether you bring out your favorite board game, play with a deck of cards, or head out to the baseball diamond to play your favorite sport together,
Not only can this help you to relax and enjoy the session more, but it will also represent your relationship and the things that you love to do together more authentically.
Share some of your favorite food or drinks: Finally, you can always grab some food or drinks to enjoy during your photoshoot. Whether it’s cocktails at your favorite bar, beer from a local brewery, burgers from your go-to diner, or your favorite pizza, it will make the session fun and enjoyable for everyone!
Use Pinterest as inspiration, not an exact model
Pinterest is a great tool to use for inspiration, but it’s important to remember that you’re not trying to directly replicate the images. A lot of the images that you are going to find on Pinterest are going to be models in specific poses that may not be natural for you and your partner.
However, it is a great starting place if you are looking for some general ideas before your session. You can find ideas for different types of poses and different ways you can interact with your partner to then make them your own during your shoot.
Do what feels comfortable for you
Finally, do what makes you feel comfortable. You and your photographer can work together to find what works for you, but be sure to communicate your feelings when it comes to what you want to do.
If you’re not super serious people, you don’t have to take serious pictures if it makes you uncomfortable. Let your personality shine and show that fun-loving side.
If you start to get into a certain position and it doesn’t feel right, just don’t do it. You are not there to be a professional model and create something for someone else. You’re there to create beautiful memories with your partner, so do what makes you feel great!
I always encourage the couples I work with to tell me if they don’t like something. It’s not going to hurt my feelings and, if I know ahead of time the things you don’t like doing, we won’t repeat those poses on your wedding day (because who wants to feel awkward on their wedding day?).
How I Help “Pose” My Couples
Providing loose direction
When we work together, I will be there to support you and provide loose direction. I’ll help you figure out where to put that awkward hand and provide you with general support, but I’m more invested in seeing you interact and capturing you as you are.
However, if you’ve never been in front of a camera before and are a little nervous about what you should be doing, I will be with you every step of the way to help guide you to look and feel your best!
I am also down for anything, so if you do find a cool pose on Pinterest or have an idea that you want to try out, I am totally down! I will work with you to figure out how you can make it your own or more comfortable for you and your partner so we can capture the perfect picture.
Encouraging interaction and not interrupting the moment
I’ve already talked about how much I love interaction when it comes to photoshoots. I think that it not only makes it so that you and your partner have so much fun, but it also helps me capture your authentic relationship.
I will always encourage this interaction throughout the entire session. If you and your partner are having an amazing time, I’m going to let you do your thing and not interrupt. My goal is to make things feel as natural as possible. I will sink into the background and capture these amazing moments.
I am never going to be the person to stop you in your tracks or make you go do something else when you are being all cute and lovey. Those are the exact moments that you are going to want to remember and the ones that I want to capture for you forever!
Prioritizing Your Relationship Over My Art
Finally, I will always prioritize your relationship over my art. Yes, I love capturing moments and showing off all of my amazing couples to the world, but giving you photos that represent your relationship as it truly is more important than anything else.
I will never force you to do anything that you feel is uncomfortable or that doesn’t fit your personality just because I think it would look good. Providing you with the best experience and the most amazing memories of this incredible time in your life is most important and is why I absolutely love being a photographer!
Final Thoughts on How to Pose for Engagement Photos
I hope these tips help when it comes to figuring out how to pose for engagement photos. At the end of the day, you want to make sure that you are comfortable and are able to really show off your personality.
It is important, too, that you find a photographer that understands you and what you want and can provide you with enough direction while still allowing you the freedom to express yourself however you want. If you think that may be me, amazing! You can learn more about my photography packages here (spoiler alert: all of my wedding packages include engagement sessions!). If you have any questions or know that we are a good fit, click here to get in touch. I’d love to hear from you!
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