Before & After's | Wedding & Portrait Photography Posing Tips & Tricks

Lindsey & Mike (bless their hearts!) helped me to create this little demonstration post.  It's so much easier to convey the kind of changes and improvements I make to an image by showing rather than telling.  Here are some before-&-after shots depicting first how someone might stand or "pose" undirected, and then how a bit of "light direction" can make a big difference.  Many thanks to these brave souls willing to demonstrate!  (If you'd like to see Lindsey & Mike in all their glory, their wedding post is HERE.)

First Lindsey is standing equally on both feet, and then I asked her to put her weight on her back leg, slimming her hips and legs.

Below is a quick, easy fix for a big improvement.  First these two are standing straight up and down, and then they're leaning towards me - it feels more engaging and warm.  Also, spaces in photographs look larger than they feel, so by moving their heads together, they look more in love than when keeping them at a "natural" distance.

Again, showing the difference between weight evenly distributed and weight on the back foot with the hips away.  Ladies, always do this!

A couple more examples here.  Even when not being featured in the foreground, it's important to be posed in a flattering way.

If you need more hip proof, first Lindsey has her hips towards the camera, and then slims them down by pushing them away from the camera.  In turn, that accentuates the chest and - she doesn't have one, but - would remove a double chin, too. 

Things closest to the camera appear larger (and therefore things farthest from the camera appear smaller) so keeping that in mind can enhance every photograph you're ever in.

Ok, fellas, what to do with those hands?  These are three positions I want avoid: 1. down at sides, 2. the "fig leaf," and 3. "the Commander" (thank you Noah Wolf for the aptly named not-cool options).

These options, on the other hand, are excellent choice: arms crossed, or thumbs - or full hands - in pockets.  Guys - and girls - need an excuse to do something with their hands, so these are good defaults in most situations - unless they're wrapped around their significant other, of course.

That's it for posing for now.  Check back next week for a style guide of sorts.