Posing Your Subjects for Great Photos

Unlike household items or inanimate objects, if you’re photographing subjects like people then you’re going to want to learn how to properly pose them. Especially if they are nervous in front of the camera. A lot of the time people don’t know where to stand or what to do with their hands. Awkward posing doesn’t discriminate either! It affects all stages of life.

POSING FAMILIES WITH KIDS

I shoot a lot of family photography in the Niagara region and working with families, big or small can sometimes be challenging. When you’re at a photoshoot with kids, you’ll want to pose them quickly before their attention is lost to something else. I like to keep them close to their parents, either leaning in against them or hanging onto one of their arms. If I can nail a handful of nice photos then I can relax and leave myself time for creativity. 

Candid shots where the parents get to play with the kids are great for two reasons. It allows the kids to take a break and it allows the family to move around freely, without having to worry about posing for the camera.

POSING COUPLES

If I’m working with couples, I like to keep things intimate and fun. Holding hands and walking towards or away from the camera always makes for a great shot. To avoid looking awkward, I like to place hands into pockets or shoulders and waists.

USING AVAILABLE PROPS

I remember shooting wedding photography in Niagara Falls and I had the bride and groom pose by the lookout, peering through the glasses and making googly eyes at each other. Utilizing your environment can be a fantastic way to keep your subject’s hands busy and your shots interesting.

GIVE CLEAR DIRECTION

Make sure to speak up and fix a pose that doesn’t quite seem right. It’s respectful to avoid touching your subjects but sometimes you will need to and that’s okay. At the end of the day, people need direction and your photoshoots will go a lot smoother if you plan ahead and aren’t afraid to get the perfect shot!

To book me as a family photographer in St. Catharines or a family photographer in the Niagara region click here!