You Won’t Look Awkward, I Promise!

In case you are wondering (and most couples are!), I absolutely help with engagement session posing in a way that helps you look your very best in photos. Engagement sessions are all about connection, love, joy, and spending time together. The best photos definitely don’t come from stiff poses — they come from real moments, laughter, and movement. My job as an engagement photographer is to guide you in a way that feels natural while still creating flattering, romantic images. And, I promise, we’ll get beautiful photos that you are excited to show off!

1. Using a Posing Flow along with Movement

I like to instruct couples on some basic “poses” and then transition to movement. These are simple poses, focus on connecting, and pave the way for some elements we will also use on your wedding day. But expect a relaxed “posing flow” that easily transitions from one to the next as I direct through each step. No stiff posing! Then I love to add in movement. Movement is an amazing way to completely forget about the camera. It also creates natural expressions and beautiful transitions that I can capture in between moments.

2. Creating Natural Connection

Connection makes engagement photos feel intimate. I always encourage you to:

• Hold hands
• Touch foreheads
• Wrap arms around waists or shoulders
• Lean into each other
• Share a light kiss (I will always ask a couple if they are comfortable with this first)

It’s important to avoid big gaps between your bodies. You might hear me reminding you to close the gap and snuggle in closer. It looks so much better in photos!

3. Ignoring the camera

A big part of engagement photoshoots is capturing you as a couple in a relaxed and authentic way. And, a lot of times, this means keeping it candid and unposed. After giving a prompt, I will typically tell you to just pretend I’m not there. I know, easier said than done! But I make this easy by giving you direction and something to do together.

For example: “Walk hand in hand toward me. Look at each other, chat about ___ (I’ll even give you something to talk about!), and swing your arms a bit. Every couple of steps gently pull each other closer together. Maybe share a light kiss if you are comfortable.” Then, you two get to just enjoy a little walk while I snap away! What you get: photos of you as a couple that look completely natural, relaxed, and connected.

4. Keeping Your Hands Busy

Figuring out what to do with your hands can feel like the most awkward part of posing. That’s why I tell couples exactly what they can do with their hands.

• Holding hands
• Tucking hair behind an ear
• Resting on a chest or waist
• Holding jackets, flowers, or each other

5. Being Yourself in Front of the Camera

Every couple has their own unique relationship. You might be playful, romantic, quiet, or outgoing. I pay close attention to a couple’s questionnaire and how they interact from the moment we meet at our engagement session location in order to better photograph them authentically. All couples have mannerisms and ways of showing affection that are unique to them. I like to build on that. Rather than forcing a show of love, I can capture true interactions that reflect real love.

6. Getting Creative

I come to every engagement session ready to try a little something new. This might be a fun movement to integrate, cute pose, or sweet prompt. Throughout the photoshoot, I pay close attention to what a couple are comfortable with and their natural mannerisms. Then I adapt my plan to work best for the couple. And sometimes they come with a pose or two that they would like to try. I love the opportunity to get creative together and make a vision come to life!

Some Favorite Engagement Session Poses and Prompts:

The Basics

Here are a few examples of just a few basic poses I show my couples. Each one has variations and prompts so that we get the most out of each one. A few:

• Look at each other, opposite, at camera
• Light kiss
• Foreheads touch
• Temples touch

Walking

Walking poses are one of the easiest ways to use movement to capture the most genuine interactions. There are so many variations and prompts for this one simple pose. A few:

• Hold hands and swing them
• Hold hands and push and pull each other gently
• Walk toward the camera, away, and parallel
• Walk side by side or with one leading the other
• Look at each other, opposite directions, one looks and the other looks to the distance
• Running or chasing each other (this always gets great laughs!)

Let’s Have Some Fun! – Twirling, Lifting, Dipping, Dancing, and More

There are endless variations to these fun movement prompts. Just a few basics:

• Piggyback
• Lift and spin in a circle (be sure to lift under the bum for easiest lifting)
• One twirls the other
• A romantic dip and kiss
• Sway, swish dress, “prom dance”, etc
• “Cinnamon Roll” – hold hands and your partner spins in a circle into you
• “Airplane” – Face one direction, one partner stands behind the other, hold hands, airplane motion, then wrap the partner in front in your arms.

Sitting Poses

There are a lot of great varieties to seated poses. They are a great place to start at the beginning of a session. Most people tend to feel more relaxed and natural while seated than they do standing. A few general ideas:

• Both seated
• Laying down
• One seated and your partner rests head in your lap
• One seated on a bench, log, or rock and the other behind
• One seated and one kneeling
• Different angles, directions, and heights – laying down and photographed from above, facing away from the camera, from behind one partner to catch the other’s face, etc.
• Seated on partners lap
• Facing away from each other and looking back

Have Fun! – Let Your Engagement Photographer Worry About the Rest

The most important thing to remember when it comes to engagement photoshoots – Come prepared to enjoy your time together as a couple, and let me handle the rest! Most couples have already agonized over outfit choices and locations – You don’t need to worry about arriving to your session with a bunch of poses ready! My couples aren’t models and I never expect them to arrive feeling completely comfortable and confident in front of the camera! It’s my job to help you every step of the way, and to make sure the entire experience is relaxed, fun, and joyful. Your engagement session should be a wonderful memory to look back on. I always know I’ve done my job well when my couple tells me that their session was actually way more fun and easy than they ever expected it to be. Because engagement photoshoots are about a fun experience, not just pictures!

Thanks for Reading!

Warmly, Janelle