Portraits are a treasure that lasts through the test of time. It’s a moment that is paused and can be reflected on for years to come. Even though the mood of my portrait session are always fun, and light, there is extensive planning that goes into wedding portrait sessions.
As a Boston wedding photographer, I need to have a plan going into a portrait session. The more detailed and planned to the specific client they are, the more confidence they will have in me.
It not only allows them to relax because they know they have hired a great photographer, but when they are calm, they don't need to think about their photos and often they forget that they are even having their photos taken.
Here are a few of my favorite wedding photography poses:
Modern Pose
This pose is a modern-day classic for Boston wedding photographers like myself. It is an easy photo to get the session going and I can do a lot with this one without having to move my clients around much.
I like to start at a distance from my client and then slowly move in. First, I have the couple look either at me or each other. Then, I will tell the couple to lean into each other and kiss.
Within a few minutes you have three different photos. It works well especially if you have a fun and unique background behind the couple.
Beauty Pose
My good friend, who happens to be one of the best Boston wedding photographers, Megan, taught me this one. She coined it as the "I Feel Pretty” pose.
If the dress is big and has a lot of fabric, I have the bride hold the dress by its side and spin her body from the right to the left side. I like to slow the camera shutter down and show the motion of the dress. It's an excellent way of getting a creative photo of the dress flowing.
Intimate Pose
When I started my career as a wedding photographer in Boston 12 years ago, this was my go-to pose and it has never let me down.
I ask my couples to find each other and get as close as possible. Then, I have the groom wrap his arms around the bride's waist and the bride rest her hands on his.
Most likely with all the excitement of just getting married, the couple is laughing and smiling. I take a few photos close and take a bunch as I move further back to show more of the beautiful scene. It not only showcases the couple in their splendor, but tells a story through the background and focus of the shot.
Holding Hands Facing Each Other
This is excellent for a boston wedding photographer who wants to show the landscape with the couple in it. Just as it sounds, they face each other and hold hands. This gives me the chance to stand far away and take the landscape into the image.
It can produce a beautiful photo that seemingly peeks in on the moment the bride and groom are having. Often it produces giggles and love in their eyes, which makes for a breathtaking shot.
Hold The Grooms Arm Pose
This is a pose where I will ask the groom to face the camera and put both hands in his pockets. I then ask the bride to turn her shoulders square with the groom's right side and loop her hands around his arm.
This is a perfect opportunity to get a full-length portrait of the couple and a close up of the bride and the details from her veil to the beading of her dress.
Bride Looking Back Pose
After snuggling the groom's arm, the bride looking back is the next pose in the book. While the bride is still holding on to the groom's arm, I'll stand behind the groom and ask the bride to look back at me. It's a lovely little portrait of the bride while keeping things candid and simple.
The Walking Shot
Much like the “modern pose” this is an easy, low-pressure photo to start with, which is why a lot of the best boston wedding photographers use it at every wedding.
I have clients hold hands, look at each other, and walk towards me. Without fail, this wedding photo pose always has couples laughing and smiling.
When shooting, I try to get a full-length body shot to show what the couple's outfit looks like and then I move in closer to get a few closer more personal shots.
It helps loosen the pair up and allows for their personality to shine. Everyone has a different style of doing this, which creates some pretty fun photos.
The Chest Snuggle Pose
The chest snuggle doesn't work for every couple. It requires the bride to be much shorter than the groom. It's a natural pose following the “Intimate Pose” because the couple are already next to each other.
I ask the bride to get as close to her husband as she can and snuggle in. It makes for a relaxed portrait of the bride without feeling too stiff.
Bear Hug Pose
The “Bear Hug Pose” is a great choice, but it isn’t one size fits all. There are many things that have to line up to make sure the photo isn’t awkward. There are two rules for it:
The groom must be taller than the bride
Use this pose during golden hour
This can feel like a prom photo, but the results are always a crowd pleaser. The groom should stand behind the bride, slide his arms under her arms and wrap them around her waist. Naturally, the bride usually puts her hands on his.
I ask the groom to kiss her on the cheek and I start shooting. However, the trick is to shoot through the kiss. At this point, the bride is laughing and the groom is close to the bride with a smile on his face.
The result is the photo below:
Mom and Dad Pose
If I was your mom and dad, this is how I would take your picture. Almost every photographer will take some type of photo like this during the portrait session.
It's a classic wedding pose that the client will want for the mantle or a nice photo for their desk at work. After I take the photo, I ask the couple to look at each other.
Leaning Against the Wall Pose
This was one of the first poses I learned as a wedding photographer. The groom leans against a wall and the bride snuggles into her husband as they look at each other
With this pose, the couple is completely in focus and I take a shot of first the bride looking over, then the groom, and lastly the two together.
This pose quickly gives clients a lot of variety in the photos with minimum effort on both parties part.
These are just a few of the planned poses I have up my sleeve during a wedding. They are great to start out with when planning your shoot and looking for inspiration. Couples want to admire their photos for years to come, so it is important to give them something that is classic, timeless, and unique to them specifically.
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