Having A Team & Going Solo

Having a consistent team will most likely garner more test shoots; some of which may even be paid in the future. In the beginning, however, a team may prove difficult to come by. If you do not have a team, do not fret. An essential lesson to take away from testing is learning to maximize production value with as few resources as possible.

This is not ideal, but it does teach the bare essentials. Rest assured that once you learn to master this by yourself your work only improves. I was a one-person show when I first began and it allows me to jump in wherever needed if someone on my team isn’t available due to a last minute booking. It has also helped me be a better director.

Being able to deliver and elevate a quality basic test shoot is priceless.

Gear: Canon 5D Mark III, Canon 85mm 1.2L II, Broncolor Siros L 800Ws, Broncolor Beautybox 65 Softbox

Tech Specs: ISO 200, f/10, 1/160th of a second.

Mood Boards & Styling

Mood boards are a key component to model test shoots as they set the mood and expectation. Most agencies will request to see a mood board in the beginning to make sure your vision is in alignment with theirs. It also helps keep everyone on track for the duration of the shoot.

When it comes to styling, the days of having the model scantily clad in a pair of jeans and nothing else are gone. Unless the test is specifically geared toward body images, the more clothing the better. Choose simple and classic items that pervade a tone of timelessness. Inquire if the model has any pieces that will fit this vision.

Black, white and other neutral colors are perfect. For everything else that is still needed, check out vintage stores and other major retailers such as H&M. These are great choices that are easy on the bank account. You may even be able to rent pieces online or borrow from a friend. Make sure to ask the model to bring a pair of nude and/or black heels as well as nude undergarments. Two to three looks are more than sufficient.

Gear: Canon 5D Mark III, Canon 85mm 1.2L II

Tech Specs: ISO 100, f/2.8, 1/320th of a second.

Hair & Make-Up

As far as hair and makeup are concerned, less is more. Have the model come prepared to wear their hair down as well as up in a loose bun or high ponytail.

Makeup looks great when it appears fresh and natural, so dewy skin paired with a little bit of lipgloss and mascara always works, and the minimal approach provides a youthful vibe which is always a plus for the model. In addition, the clean slate approach will give potential clients a blank canvas to envision several different looks. Keep in mind, you can always add more makeup as the photoshoot progresses if you feel so inclined.

Courtesy

As a common courtesy, ask the booker if they have any specific images that they need and make sure to deliver those requests. Whether the location be a studio on a white or grey seamless, or outdoors, there are three frames that you can’t go wrong with. Always make sure to capture:

• full length
• 3/4
• portrait

Some models have a look that begs to have a beauty image taken while others do not. The other angle that I will always deliver is a straight on horizontal image of shoulders up. The booker always loves this angle and often doesn’t know this until they see it.

Gear: Canon 5D Mark III, Canon 85mm 1.2L II

Tech Specs: ISO 200, f/4, 1/400th of a second.

Remember Who It’s About

Test shoots are typically about the model, so remember to direct them in a way that captures their whimsical and mischievous moues. Subtle movements seem to prevail over the hard hitting poses, and that is because there is often a disconnect at the beginning until the intimacy sets in and you feed off of each other’s timing. The best images are captured when you are communicating without speaking at all, transfixed in the moment with each other.

Gear

You can get away with photographing an entire test shoot with minimal gear. I photograph the majority of my tests with an 85mm, switching to a 50mm when the situation calls for it. Some tests can be captured using only natural light and a reflector. In the studio, a single light will always do the trick. My lighting consists of a single Broncolor Siros L 800ws with a shoot-through white umbrella and the collapsible beauty box.

• Canon 5D Mark III
• Canon 85mm 1.2L II 
• Broncolor Siros L 800Ws
• Broncolor Beautybox 65 Softbox
• Savage 36″ Shoot Through Umbrella 

What Files Agencies Request

In the beginning it is very normal for a model booker to request all unedited images from the shoot. Until that rapport is built, they want to cull and choose the final selects to be edited. This often comes hand in hand with a critique that is brutally honest. Listen to all of it, the good and the bad, and apply it to the next few tests. Once that trust is established, you will only send them final edits of your choosing.

Test shoots are the perfect time to test out new gear, lighting setups and themes. Ensure that you first capture what the agency has requested of you and then have fun. Learn to master the basics and the rest will come. The more tests you crank out, the more people tend to want to collaborate with you. This is when the best relationships are developed and quality teams are built. This is also when some of the best work is created. 

Regardless of which photo poses for men you’re utilizing, these tips for a chiseled jawline will apply.

Step 1: Extend the Neck

One of the key elements in enhancing a man’s jawline is to create a slightly lengthened and elongated neck. This can be achieved through simple posing and framing techniques. Ask the subject to elongate their neck by stretching it slightly forward. This helps define the jawline by creating a clean separation between the neck and the jaw.

Start by asking your subject to slightly extend his neck forward, which will tighten the skin around the jawline. Be sure the subject doesn’t extend too far forward, however, or you’ll risk making the extension visible, creating a “turtle” effect.

Step 2: Use the Shadows

Shadows play a significant role in sculpting and emphasizing facial features, including the jawline. By skillfully using shadows, you can create the illusion of a stronger and more chiseled jawline. To achieve this effect, position the lighting at an angle that casts shadows under the jawline, enhancing its contours.

This can be achieved through various lighting setups, such as using a softbox or a diffused light source to create gentle and flattering shadows. Experiment with the direction and intensity of the light to find the most complementary angles for your subject’s face.

Turn the subject’s chin into the light to place the broad side of the jaw into shadow, which will narrow the face and help define the jawline.

Step 3: Adjust the Chin up or Down

The positioning of the chin can dramatically alter the appearance of a man’s jawline in a photograph. Slight adjustments in the chin’s angle can make a considerable difference in how defined the jawline appears. For a more chiseled jawline, have the subject tilt their chin slightly downwards. This accentuates the jawline and gives it a more defined and powerful look.

On the other hand, angling the chin slightly upwards can elongate the neck further and create a sophisticated and elegant appearance. Experiment with different chin positions while taking the shots, and let your subject make subtle adjustments to find the most flattering angle.

When the angle and lighting come together and the chin is in place, finish up by directing the subject into the right expression, which should fit the mood of the image you’re capturing. Don’t make the subject laugh, for example, if the image is dark and dramatic, unless you’re purposely aiming to capture such a juxtaposition.

See the Results

If we look at before and after images, the impact of making simple adjustments becomes apparent. All we did was adjust the pose and angle of our subject while all of our camera and lighting settings have remained constant. Now, take this simple technique and get out there and shoot!

Conclusion

A chiseled jawline can significantly enhance a man’s appearance in photographs, exuding confidence and charisma. With the right techniques, photographers can accentuate the jawline and create striking portraits that capture the essence of masculinity. By extending the neck, using shadows effectively, and adjusting the chin, photographers can help men achieve that coveted chiseled jawline effortlessly.

As a photographer, mastering these simple steps will not only enhance your subjects’ facial features but also elevate the overall quality of your portraits. Remember to communicate and collaborate with your subjects, as their comfort and confidence play a crucial role in achieving the desired results. With practice and creativity, you can add a touch of allure and magnetism to your male portraits, highlighting their chiseled jawlines with finesse.

Stay tuned for more simple & effective photography tips & tricks in our Minute Photography series, and don’t forget that you can find more of the best education in photography, from mastering manual mode to lighting and posing your subjects, at SLR Lounge Premium.

In the following article, we’ll cover the following topics:

• 4 Basic Photo Poses for Men
  • Standing Portrait
  • Sitting Portrait
  • Editorial Group Photo
  • Fun Group Photo
• 6 Steps/Tips for Posing Men

4 Basic Photo Poses for Men

Orchestrate the perfect shoot with our techniques in hand placement, expressions, and body language that can revamp your portfolio. In our Complete Posing Workshop, transform from a photographer into a director to pose clients and master the subtle nuances for every shooting scenario.

From standing to group photos, here is our guide to photo poses for men:

Photo Poses for Men #1 | Standing Portrait

Starting with the standing portrait pose, we can direct our subject from the ground up. Adopt the Foundation Posing Framework to make posing and directing less daunting. Our first three steps to pose our subject through the standing portrait are:

1. Feet First, Hip Distance Apart
2. Toes Pointed Out
3. A Straight Spine

Posture instantly changes the look of confidence and translates as a triple-threat: masculine, strong and powerful. In our Photographing the Groom workshop we cover more tips on posing men, capturing expressions, lighting, and composition in a less-than-perfect hotel room.

Photo Poses for Men #2 | Sitting Portrait

Sitting poses can be complicated because typically our natural inclination is to hunch over. We’ll walk you through how angles can diminish or increase your client’s presence, building the pose from the ground up.

Begin at the feet and keep the toes pointed outward to refrain from the “potty” look. Shift to a stronger posture and varied hand placement to change our subject’s demeanor. Use camera angles to help your subject achieve presence in the frame; a slight adjustment in angle helps our subject become more proportional in the frame and changes the portrait from whimsical to editorial.

Focal length plays a huge role when photographing seated subjects because of distortion from specific lenses making objects closer to the camera appear larger and wider.

Photo Poses for Men #3 | Editorial Group Photo

High-fashion group photos provide the perfect opportunity to showcase your directing skills. Great direction is a catalyst to great posing which means that it might take a bit of coaxing to get your subjects to cooperate with this next pose. Since men can handle harsh shadows and brooding looks, pose them with more of a high-fashion/GQ theme in mind: think serious expressions, strong dominance in the frame, moodier tone, and dramatic light.

One way to make a portrait ‘editorial’ is through lighting like we cover in Lighting 201. Be sure to direct your subject through expressions as well to sell the image. Try a more serious expression and utilize shadow cast to chisel out his jaw and features.

Photo Poses for Men #4 | Fun Group Photo

Fun group photos provide the perfect occasion to interact and get those candid expressions. As the director, think about what is going to make the image most meaningful, and work in and out of the scene to tell an entire story. Not only will this translate as authentic, but you’ll be able to capture those truly candid moments through your interaction.

Posing Tips for Men | A Step by Step Guide

As you may expect, the Foundation Posing Framework begins at the feet, starting with natural but wider stances, toes pointed out and a straight spine. Stay tuned to learn how to direct men to have a stronger presence in frame. Generally, goals for posing men include expanding their presence and accentuating their masculinity. In 60 seconds, we’re going to share five simple posing tips for men to meet these goals and make sure the guys you photograph always look their best.

Watch the Full Video

Step 1 | Start with the Stance

Direct your male subjects to open their stance so that their feet are shoulder-width apart. It’s also important to point the toes slightly out for a more confident look. When the toes are pointed inward, subjects tend to look timid and sometimes even childish.

Step 2 | Shift the Hip to One Side

Next, ask your male subject to shift his hips to one side. When the hips are shifted to one side or the other, as opposed to placing equal weight on both feet, subjects look more relaxed and the pose feels more natural.

Step 3 | Take a breath in

When we inhale, our chest expands and our stomach contracts, making our chest appear broader and our stomach appear leaner. It also tends to straighten posture, so ask your subject to take in a breath before you snap the shot.

Step 4 | Relax the Shoulders

While we generally want to make our male subjects look more masculine, we don’t want them to appear stiff, so ask them to relax their shoulders.

Step 5 | Give the Hands Something to Do

Simply placing your subject’s hands into his pocket, or leaving one at rest while the other is placed into a pocket, will help eliminate the awkwardness of your subject looking like he doesn’t know what to do with his hands while posing for a photo.

The Before and After Result of the Posing Steps for Men

By making these simple posing adjustments, we can clearly see that we’ve accomplished our goals of expanding our subject’s presence and boosting his masculinity.

Step 6 | Play with Various Expressions

With additional adjustments of facial expressions and direction, as well as multiple crops to focus on different parts of your subject’s story, you can create cohesive, impactful images that will look great in an album spread or as part of a wall art cluster.

More Info

Boost your male, female, or group posing game with the Complete Posing Workshop, your guide to transform from photographer to director.  You may also be interested in our article on photo poses for women.  In addition, you can find more of the best education in photography, from mastering manual mode to lighting and posing your subjects, at SLR Lounge Premium.

The following article focuses on posing for family photography.  For a higher level overview of family photography, see our article on family photography tips.

Before Your Clients Strike a Pose

While most photographers reach for the camera to start a session, we suggest putting the camera down. Here’s why: Directing is 10 times easier and more personable when you’re not hidden behind a camera. Take this opportunity to connect with your clients and show that they are your complete focus. We start every portrait session by running our clients through the Foundation Posing Framework.

Classic Family Photo Poses

Begin with the classic pose and have your subjects face the camera in order to get them comfortable for the session. The classic pose is one of the easiest family portrait poses for the following reasons:

1. Simple Pose – Your clients have likely posed for photos using some variation of this pose.
2. Quick Pose – Because it is a simple and familiar pose, getting in and out of this pose requires little time.
3. Safe (albeit Boring) Pose – While not very creative, it’s the traditional, must-have shot.

Transition your clients into a V-Up pose and frame them within the scene by creating equal visual weight throughout. In all of our family portrait poses, we want to show connection and familiarity with touch points; the more touch points we create, the more intimate a pose becomes.

This photo is often the one they use for holiday cards or for their wall art, so make sure you’re happy with the results from this pose before moving on!

Affectionate Family Photo Poses

Is there such a thing as too much space between family members? Of course! In order to create more of a connection (literally) between family members, direct them to hug into the middle. Doing so not only creates more intimacy but also ensures we have a focal point in our images.  This is a perfect family portrait pose for a family hugging onto their child, grandparent, or other person of focus.

In family portrait sessions, we want to highlight connection while also keeping the photos as authentic as possible. Utilize multiple touch points and wait for natural reactions. Keep an eye out for distractions like natural pointers and negative or tight framing.

Action Family Photo Poses

Sessions with children typically include a unique set of challenges, most of which leave the photographer working on borrowed time. In these instances, we need to move very quickly, but always remember the family is looking to you for direction, charisma, and warmth – no pressure right?

Incorporate action to engage the entire family and then wait for the right moment to capture natural reactions. We like to refer to this as assisted photojournalism – watch this webinar to see what it’s all about!

Seamlessly transition from the classic pose to something more candid by directing the family to run, jump, or even compete in a posing contest. These less formal poses will help you capture more authentic looking images and, because they’re fun to do, they can help delay any meltdowns. Also, if your clients are actually having fun, there’s a good chance that will be reflected in the imagery you create!

Editorial Family Portrait Poses

We typically get requests for editorial family photos during weddings rather than family portrait sessions. When shooting in an editorial style during a wedding, it’s important to communicate that even though these shots are complex, time-consuming and risky, they often stand out (in a good way) as the most memorable photos.

Don’t be intimidated by group editorial posing. It takes practice, research and time to fine-tune due to the nuances and focus needed for every subject in the image. By asking the family to smile with just the lips, for example, we can capture a serious but soft gaze.

Be sure to understand your client’s vision before attempting editorial family formals.  This style of photography is a departure from traditional family photos and should only be used when you know that the clients wants it.

Family Photo Poses with Tight Crops

As photographers, we’re aware of the importance of being in the right place at the right time. However, with a bit of directing, we can take a more active role and convincingly recreate candid moments.

In large family portraits, space changes the presence in the photo and creates a mood and sense of symmetry, even with an odd number of people. Reducing the amount of space in the frame has the same effect. To make a moment more intimate, we suggest reframing for a tight crop. By limiting distractions, the focus is on emotion and body language. To reinforce familial relationships, focus on hand placement to establish a connection.

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed this quick overview of 5 easy family photo poses. Group posing can be a tricky task for photographers who lack the experience, confidence, or knowledge to guide and communicate with their clients to get the perfect shot.  For some, especially those who consider themselves to be introverts, it’s the most challenging aspect of portrait photography.

See more tips from The Complete Posing Workshop to perfect your family portrait sessions! Or start streaming the workshop as a Premium member right now!

Why Body Photography?

One of the top requests I’ve received as a test photographer is to capture updated body shots for a model’s book. Not to be confused with “digitals” that are done at the agency, body shots are exactly what the term entails; images that accentuate a model’s physique.

The parameters for a successful body photography session are very reminiscent of a basic model test; clothing is minimal, therefore the overall mood and styling need to make sense. This type of imagery can turn trashy in the blink of an eye, thus requires a bit more finessing for all involved.

A model is typically being considered for a specific brand or article in a magazine when this type of work is being requested by the agency. I will often inquire with the booker if this is the case and style the shoot accordingly in an attempt to help them book the gig.

Body Photography Clothing and Wardrobe

Body photography clothing is often undergarments, swimwear or a good pair of denim. There will never be a shortage of pictures of models wearing only a pair of jeans with arms folded across their chest. Swimwear and lingerie are also key clothing items to choose when highlighting a model’s form, but photographers are encouraged to be venturesome with their vision.

The location also needs to match the clothing whether it be a bikini at the beach or a bodysuit in an indoor setting. The main crops for these images are:

• full length
• 3/4
• waist up

Women can be tricky as we seek an accepted balance between minimizing and emphasizing their natural curves as the dissidence of non-inclusion is on the rise. No matter the body type, however, lengthening a woman’s body remains to be a constant. In addition to curves, some key areas to highlight on a woman are their legs, the indent right at the glute (if applicable), and their neck.

Some looks are best achieved in naturally-lit situations, while others are better accomplished with a one-light setup in the studio. Choose the lighting that will do the model justice with a proper gradation that clearly defines their body.

Keep the posing natural and unforced. I will often start my shooting sequence with the model in a starting position and have them move slowly from there.

Implied Nudes in Body Photography

Please note that a model does not have to be completely stripped of their clothing for an implied nude to work. It can be achieved with strategic lighting and body/prop placement. Mario Testino’s towel series is a perfect testimony of this. Implied nudes for body photography can become T&A awfully fast if one is not careful.

These images are very delicate in nature and require a certain level of intimacy that can only be established with their trust. Take the time to build their trust in you, as this will deliver a certain level of authenticity. Then, direct the shot from the expression of the model all the way down to the overall look and feel.

Body Photography for Men

As with women, the styling consists primarily of underwear and a good pair of denim. Body photography  for men tend to be more arduous because they often have to flex their muscles for periods of time and still manage to have a non-pained facial expression.

Simply having men look down and away from the camera while flexing produces great results and still plays to the overall mood. It is one less thing to focus on. Having them in a more relaxed pose that naturally emphasizes their musculature is a great way to achieve a successful expression for images where seeing their face is required.

The focus for men is on their muscles, all of them; particularly the “V” and core. A fool proof way to achieve definition is by lighting them slightly from the side to cast shadows across their body. Popular crops for men are:

• from the “V” on up
• 3/4
• full body

There are a number of different ways that a body shot can be orchestrated. Simplicity often reigns supreme over an overcomplicated setup any day of the week.

Make sure to have a clear vision from the start and connect with the model.

Conclusion

In conclusion, body photography is a unique and powerful genre that allows us to celebrate and capture the beauty within each individual. Throughout this article, we have explored various tips and techniques to enhance your body photography skills. Remember to prioritize communication and build trust with your subjects, as it is essential to create a comfortable and empowering environment. Experiment with different poses, angles, and lighting to highlight the unique features and personality of your subjects. Embrace diversity and celebrate body positivity, ensuring that every body shape and size is represented and celebrated. Finally, always approach body photography with sensitivity, respect, and an appreciation for the stories and journeys that each person carries with them. By following these tips and techniques, you will be able to create stunning body photographs that empower, inspire, and showcase the true beauty within. Keep exploring, learning, and capturing the essence of the human form, and let your creativity shine through your lens.

For more on model test shoots and lighting check out the following:

• How to Shoot a Basic Model Test | Gear, Shot List, Agency Requirements & More
• How to Test Shoot With Model Agency Represented Models
• How I Shot It – Simple One Light Portrait Studio Setup in a Garage

• Prepare and Plan
• Quick Posing for Couples Photography
• Quick Posing for Solo Female
• Quick Posing for Solo Male
• Quick Posing for Groups (Standard)
• Quick Posing for Groups (Editorial)

Prepare and Plan

Regardless of who you are posing in your photography, good preparation, planning and visualization will help you speed up the process and get better results.  Selecting the right location, lighting, and equipment is essential for creating beautiful images quickly.  Avoid wasting time adjusting lighting or moving locations to maximize the variety in your quick posing.

In addition, communicating with your subject before the shoot is also crucial to ensure that you understand their needs and preferences.  Avoid wasting time on poses that the client will not appreciate by fully understanding their preferences before the shoot.

Quick Posing Challenge for Couples Photography

Quick Posing starts with Foundation Posing and then modifying facial expressions, eye contact, hand and arm placement, and other small nuances to change the feel of each image.

Start with a specific goal, and then working from there. If you want the couples portrait to reflect an intimate moment, for example, start with a “closed pose” with their feet facing each other.  Guide the subjects to manage their gaze and expressions, and capture the primary, initial image.  From there, adjust the following to capture different quick poses:

• Hand placement – For example, have him hug her waist, have her hug his arm, have her put her arms over his shoulders, etc.
• Eye contact and direction – For example, have them look at each other, have her look down, have her look into the camera, etc.
• Head tilt – For example, have them touch foreheads or kiss

With minimal direction and careful attention to detail, you should be able to create multiple intimate couples portraits in under 20 seconds.

Quick Posing Challenge for Women

Using the 3-point check, i.e. the eyes, the chin/nose, and the collarbone/chest, you can pose subjects and create beautiful portraits in very narrow windows of time. As with our couples posing mentioned above, start at the feet and move your way up.  For example, for many female poses, you’ll want one leg straight, with the other leg slightly crossing over the straight leg, as you see in the image above.

Once you’ve established a base pose, you can make micro-adjustments and quickly work through a series of images with quick posing, including the following:

• Hand placement – hand on the hip, hand holding the wrist, etc.
• Eye contact and direction – looking into the camera, looking off camera, chin up and chin down.
• Head tilt – head straight, head tilted left or right, etc

Relax, talk through the pose with your subject, and then capture a series of wonderful images with quick posing.

Quick Posing Challenge for Men

The same concept applies to quick posing with men.  Leaving the chest forward, for example, and turning the eyes, nose, and chin to the side will draw the viewer’s attention to the wardrobe. This is great for fashion posing because the wardrobe takes center stage in the fashion genre. Actions can be kept as simple as adjusting a tie, or standing with one hand in a pocket and one hand out, hanging down at the side. When time is of the essence, simple – yet authentic – posing will often win the day. Here are some quick posing tips for men:

• Wide stance (shoulder-width)
• Toes out
• Straight spine
• Expanded chest
• Relaxed shoulders
• Hands posed with purpose or at rest
• Neck extended (slightly)
• Walk, regular

Quick Posing Challenge for Large Group (Standard Symmetrical)

To quickly execute a large group standard symmetrical portrait, start with your centerpiece, which will likely be a bride and groom for a wedding or the parents for family photography.   Place them in a simple pose with their feet slightly facing inwards, and build out from there with the remaining subjects from the group. The key points to watch out for include even spacing, touchpoints to convey connections, overlap to avoid awkward gaps, and symmetrical placement of subjects based on height.

While larger groups take longer to pose, with strong communication and a clear goal, you should be able to capture this type of image in under two minutes.  Once you have the base pose down, add variations, such as the following:

• Have everyone look towards the center
• Have everyone hug in closer
• Have everyone do something silly

All of these options should take less than a minute to execute for super quick posing.

Quick Posing Challenge for Large Group (Editorial)

Generally, large group editorial portraits take closer to 5-10 minutes to execute on location, as opposed to the two minutes offered in this posing challenge.  However, quick posing can still be done with editorial poses, and the same rules apply that were covered in the smaller group editorial portraits section. We still recommend starting with a centerpiece and then building out, varying placement and poses of the subjects, watching for overlaps, and analyzing balance throughout the image.

Conclusion

Quick posing is a valuable tool for photographers who want to create stunning portraits in less time. With the right preparation and quick posing techniques, photographers can create beautiful images that capture natural and authentic moments in real-time. By incorporating these tips and tricks into your photography workflow, you can improve the quality of your images and create more opportunities for capturing beautiful moments.

Start from the bottom and work your way up. What your couples do with their feet will dictate what happens with the rest of their bodies.  By giving your clients a little instruction on what these terms mean, you can easily give them verbal cues to change their position to use a variety of poses for your session. With micro-adjustments, a whole set of compelling images can be made based on these foundation poses plus two more which you can find in our Premium workshop, The Complete Posing Workshop.  For unlimited access to even more photographic education from SLR Lounge, become a premium subscriber!

In the foundation posing framework from our premium workshops, all variations of hugging poses would fall under two foundation poses, 1) the close up pose and 2) the stack-up pose.  From these two foundation poses, photographer can make micro adjustments to the hands, head, and expressions to create hundreds of different poses.  Let’s dive in deeper to each one.

Face-to-Face Hugging Poses  – The Close-Up Pose

The close-up pose (or closed-up pose) demonstrates emotion and intimacy in photographs because the couple is facing each other completely. This pose is the perfect way to get interactive photos of the couple, and a great way to get more candid and natural looking images.

Close Up Pose Basics

Setting up the Close Up pose is very simple, you have the couple face each other and “close” the gap in between them. From here you can have the couple looking at each other, looking at the camera, or any other combination of a face-to-face hugging pose you can think of.

Versatility of the Close Up Hugging Pose

The Close Up is a great way to get intimate and candid shots of your couple. When you set up this pose you can have them hold hands in the front, or you can have them hug in completely. Because the couple is facing each other directly, this is the perfect pose to get a natural looking kissing shot of the couple.

If you want to get more interaction from your couple and have them do a dip or a lift, this is the perfect hugging pose to start with. If you do a lift, be sure to have some play in the legs so that there’s more action in the photo.

Things to Watch Out For

When posing your subjects, there are several things to watch for, things that can create an unnatural or unflattering look to the image. Here are just a few tips to help you out:

1) Shrimp Cocktail Fingers

When you have your couple hold hands, I prefer that they do not interlock their fingers as it sort of creates this busy “shrimp cocktail of fingers” look to the hands. I know, it sounds weird, but it just looks much more natural when the hands overlap rather than interlock.

2) Take Breaks

When your subjects smile too long the smile can look fatigued, or “fake” after a little while. So take frequent breaks, have fun, chat, and just relax a bit during the shoot. You will find that the expressions will come out far more natural if everyone is having fun and relaxed as opposed to stressing about getting the perfect smile.

3) Watch the Chins!

When your couple is looking at each other be mindful of their chins. In this photo Jackie is too extended and Ryan is too crunched which is creating a sort of double chin effect that we want to avoid. Image number 4 shows a better example of how the chins should be so we aren’t extending too far, or creating a double chin.

More Hugging Poses Examples in the Close Up Position

Hugging Pose with Touching Foreheads

Hugging Poses From Behind – The Stack-Up Pose

The stack-up pose, i.e. a hugging pose from behind, is a traditional pose that has a lot of versatility. There are many variations of this pose, but it starts with the couple chest to back with their feet facing the same direction.

Stack Up Pose Basics

In this hugging pose, you can have either have the female in front or the male in front. An easy way to get more looks and versatility out of this pose is by alternating who’s in front.

Versatility of the Stack Up Pose

This hugging pose is great for traditional portraits of the couple looking into the camera, or if you want a more relaxed look you can have the couple leaning against an object together. The Stack-Up is also great for fun active poses, such as piggyback rides!

When using the Stack-Up be sure to try to include the piggyback because it’s fun, candid, and enjoyable. You can also alternate and have the male subject on the females back, just be sure that both subjects are comfortable doing it, and that you do it safely.

Watch Out for Hand Placement

When the female subject is in front the male subject can put his hands on her torso or above her bust. Be sure to give specific instructions to the male because his hands may look like they’re covering her inappropriately, even if it’s unintentional.

When his hands go below her bust this hugging pose will have that “prom photo” look, which we generally try to avoid.

A great way to avoid a “prom photo” pose is to have the male put his hand in his pocket and the female put her hand on her hip, this is more of a modern pose. Another way to avoid the “prom photo” is to have the male subject place his hands above the bust. This hand placement looks very endearing and gives the photo a more candid rather than a staged feel.

When the female subject is behind we want to make sure her hands are on his chest or neck level. If her hands are around his belly area that can look quite emasculating for the male, a look we also want to avoid.

Have the Couple Look at Each Other

The Stack-Up pose has a very powerful effect when the couple is looking at each other. They look at each other lovingly, and it looks like nothing else in the world matters. This is the easiest way to turn a traditional hugging pose with the couple looking at the camera into a completely different look and feel.

Hugging Pose While Looking Off

If you’re on an engagement shoot you probably travelled to somewhere very photogenic. Be sure to take advantage of it! The Stack-Up pose is a great pose to get wider shots that show off the location so it looks like the couple is enjoying each other’s company in the beautiful location they’re in.

Conclusion

Hugging poses are versatile options for wedding and portrait photographers.  They can convey intimacy or fun.  They can be candid or posed.  Changing small things like the angle of the head or hand placement can make all the difference!

Video: Simple Posing Framework for Engagement Poses

With so many ways to take couple’s portraits, how do you decide on the right poses? Photographers will usually run through a memorized list of poses during the session. However, in this video, I’ll be showing you a simple guide for stress-free engagement poses.

Capturing the right poses can be a stressful part of couple’s and engagement photography. There are just so many to go through. Rather than a list of poses, I’ve created a simple posing framework for a stress free couple’s shoot in 4 easy steps. Let’s jump right in.

Step #1: Foundation Posing

Begin each session by teaching clients the Foundation Poses. Foundation Posing consists of the 5 basic feet positions that serve as bases for the majority of engagement poses. From here, directing and guiding my clients becomes incredibly easy and simple.

For our example, we begin building our final look by starting our couple off with the Closed Pose.

Related Reading: The First 5 Poses Every Photographer Should Learn

Step #2: Set The Intention

Are you looking at a romantic scene with the beautiful sunset, or a silly and playful moment between the couple? For this step, describe to your client the image as you imagine it. Doing this will set the vibe and help bring your clients into the right moment and mindset.  Sometimes the best engagement poses are the poses that the clients interpret themselves.

Step #3: Micro-Posing

Rather than big changes in between each image, focus on small and simple engagement posing adjustments. For this, we want to keep in mind:

1. The eyes and where they’re looking.
2. The hands and what they’re touching.
3. The distance between the couple.
4. The emotion of the photograph.

Changing each of these small nuances can drastically shift the feel of each engagement pose. Check out this sequence of photos as well as the simple directions I’d give as we move from shot to shot. We began with a closed pose from our foundation posing.

Engagement Posing Cues:

1. Pull each other close, look at her, and look at me.
2. Pull back a bit and look at each other.
3. Then touch foreheads.

The basic closed pose is still the same, yet we get a series of natural photos with simple engagement posing directions and changes.

Step #4: Wide, Medium, Tight

We want to capture a variety of images to create a collage. Keeping the same foundation pose, simply move away to capture a wide shot, then move in closer to capture the details. No need for drastic changes or a crazy list of shots.

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed this article/video. A simple engagement posing framework is incredibly important to keep the energy and flow positive and stress-free throughout the photoshoot. For a full guide on posing, check out the Complete Posing Workshop on SLR Lounge Premium. There, you can also find Incredible Engagements to learn how to capture stunning couple’s and engagement portraits.