Wow, what a spectacular May day in the Columbia River Gorge. We started at a Hood River Winery (to loosen up, you know?) before we ventured out. Vast views, intimate moments, and special blasts of color. This day was truly magical.
20 Engagement Shoot Posing Ideas
Let me guess. You’ve got the editing down, the lead generation, the website looking fresh, and you LOVE your couples… but once you get to the shoot, you just don’t know what to do with them?
I’m here to help.
Posing is an art; it’s not something you can just look up in a textbook. Every couple is different & it is imperative that you get a good feel for what the couple is comfortable with before you embarrass them (and yourself!).
Getting great photos (often times) relies on composition and posing is your own way of getting them to do the lovely things that make a great photo. Some people think that “posing” means you aren’t capturing candid moments and that is completely NOT true.
Posing tips are not stale. It’s more like a suggestion and less like a rule.
So, let’s get started.
I chose Anthony + Kim because I felt like their affection was just want I needed to show you what I’m talking about. Also, they haven’t had a professional photoshoot like this before- so it is a fresh perspective and a good test.
ONE : Using Props will always help with a pose. I mean, c’mon- it’s already a fun third item.
TWO : Get dramatic with angles. Play with the focus! Have them lift their hands up!
THREE : Use the background to create a more interesting layout for a simple pose.
FOUR : Instruct them to get realllly close. Tell them that being super close in person doesn’t look as close on camera!
FIVE : Focus on eyes. Brighten them up. Make sure that you can see the emotion. It always helps to instruct the couple to be touching each other’s face.
SIX : I always try to get a few “formal” looking photos in. Just tell them to cuddle up and look at the camera… CHEESE! This is great for gifts (grandparents love seeing a smile!)
SEVEN : Holding hands and walking creates intimacy & movement!
EIGHT : Tell them when and where to kiss if they look “lost.” It will help give them something sweet to do.
NINE : You know me and the cozy poses. When they are sitting, you can always have one literally sit down on the other! And it will create a few belly laughs.
TEN : You can tell them to tell each other dirty secrets, or just.. secrets in each other’s ears.
ELEVEN : Dancing is ALWAYS a win.
TWELVE : It’s also up to you to get some different angles. Have them turn around or run around them for a different background.
THIRTEEN : Have them play with their own dress, hair, or shirt.
FOURTEEN : Give them silly instructions. The worst that can happen is it is a bust and you move onto the next pose!
FIFTEEN : Even telling your couple to laugh ends in real laughs, I’m telling you. Instruction is key.
SIXTEEN : Do the classic “pick up and twirl.”
SEVENTEEN : Create a mood by immersing them in a more intimate space (like grass).
EIGHTEEN : Always ask for more kisses!
NINETEEN : Big hugs are the best.
TWENTY : Have them run, skip, or jump to add some movement. Also… DANCE!
Hopefully these give you some good ideas for your next shoot!
xo
Chelsea
Abe + Haley
Let me set the scene.
Abe calls me up about a month ago, he's sure. He's sure that he wants to marry the love of his life and he wants it to be -perfect-. He also knows that Haley is a little nosey and it is going to be a challenge to put together a seamless "surprise" engagement... so we start plotting. I rig a fake giveaway (sorry, folks!) and we coordinate with Haley's friend to tag her in the giveaway. She of course, wins, and WA-LA! She is setting up her own proposal shoot.
It took a few tweaks and turns, but we got her.
After convincing her she needed to do three outfits (because we wanted to turn this into a pseudo-engagment shoot as well, she was in. She had a small "inkling" that this would be the day, but I did a good job making sure it sounded like I knew nothing about them, asking questions like "Oh, did you two just start dating?" and "What do you do for work?" Like I didn't already know her whole story.
We set off to hike up Coyote Wall (which I have never been to) and we completely miss the start of the trail and end up walking along this long, what used to be a car drive, and ending up at the end after about a mile. As we headed back, we saw this little peak.
We set off to hike up Coyote Wall (which I have never been to) and we completely miss the start of the trail and end up walking along this long, what used to be a car drive, and ending up at the end after about a mile. As we headed back, we saw this little peak.
They can come back up to it for picnics and anniversaries in the future.
The sun was bright, but not too harsh. The air felt crisp, but not too cold.
And then... Abe pulls out the ring and Haley's face lights up. They popped the champagne and we all cheers'd to beers (including me, you know, I've got to get in on the action.)
The sun set and Abe and Haley had their first moments as an "engaged couple."
It was magical.
Tony + Kara
I love this couple. It is so fun to make my job more of a "lifestyle" and not just work. I loved getting to know them over pFreim brewskis and letting the wind take us up an unknown path. I told Kara that I love that the weather is always different during various shoots and how it is the one thing we really can't control.. making it that much more magical.
I think we lucked out... this soft cloudy light made for some stellar moments caught on camera!! Looking forward to their wedding next September!
