Tips and Tricks
Practical advice. Real results
How can you help clients relax before posing even starts?
Chat with them, give them something to do with their hands, and ease into poses—comfort shows in every shot.
What’s the secret to natural-looking hands?
Give them purpose—have clients hold something, touch fabric, or connect with another person.
Why should you start with simple, natural movements?
Jumping straight into complex poses can make clients stiff or self-conscious. Start with movement-based prompts like walking hand-in-hand, shifting their weight, or turning toward the light. Natural actions help release tension, warm up expressions, and create a flow that feels unposed—even if it’s guided.
How can you fix stiff posing?
If your subject starts to feel robotic, add motion. Ask them to sway, shift weight, or take a slow step. Even small movements loosen the body and create natural flow lines. Remember: movement equals emotion. Stillness can look tense, but motion brings energy and life to your images.
What’s one thing to check before every pose?
Always check hands and chin placement. These two details define the mood of your image. Hands should look natural and connected; the chin should be slightly forward and down to elongate the neck. Subtle adjustments can elevate a good pose into a great one.
Why do angles matter more than poses?
A technically correct pose can fall flat if shot from the wrong angle. Move around your subject—try shooting from slightly above to elongate, or from the side to create depth. Good posing and great angles work together to flatter your client and build visual interest.
What’s the best way to capture connection?
Connection isn’t posed—it’s encouraged. Have couples or families physically touch (shoulders, hands, foreheads) and emotionally engage (eye contact, laughter, whispers). Emotional connection adds depth to your work and makes viewers feel something when they look at the image.
How can you flatter every body type naturally?
Every body photographs differently. Instead of forcing everyone into the same poses, learn to read posture and body shape. Guide your client into slight angles, movement, or turns that elongate and flatter. Empower them with direction that celebrates, not hides, their natural form.
Why should you give constant feedback?
Silence makes clients nervous. Keep communicating—compliment what’s working, encourage small adjustments, and reassure them throughout the shoot. Positive feedback builds trust, and trust unlocks confidence, which leads to natural, expressive posing.
Why does eye direction matter so much?
Eyes set the tone. Looking directly at the camera conveys confidence or intimacy, while looking away creates a sense of thoughtfulness or storytelling. Changing eye direction is one of the fastest ways to shift the mood of an image without changing the pose.
What’s the trick to getting natural smiles?
Ask for action or emotion, not “smile.” Use humor, give silly prompts, or get them talking about something meaningful. Real smiles come from connection, not command—and they’ll light up the entire photo.
Why is it important to match your client’s energy?
You set the tone. If you’re calm, your clients relax. If you’re upbeat, they feed off your enthusiasm. Mirroring their energy creates synergy and helps you draw out the authentic emotions that fit their personality and story.
How can you end every session strong?
Finish with freedom—let clients move, laugh, or hug naturally while you capture the final few moments. People relax most at the end of a shoot, and those genuine, unguarded moments often become the standout images of the entire session.
How do lighting and posing work together?
Use natural light or diffused sources to emphasize contours and expressions. Posing your subject toward or away from light creates mood, depth, and dimension, enhancing the overall aesthetic.