Are you always trying to improve your portfolio by producing creative concepts with every new wedding photography gig? Good on you! However, we recommend you keep a repertoire of staple yet brilliant poses just in case you get a creative drought or that your couples are not confident in their posing skills. Check out the examples below by @lensofmira!

The Forehead Kiss

EOS R, RF50mm f/1.2L USM, f/2.5, ISO 1600, 1/160s, 50mm 

The forehead kiss is always a sweet moment to have in a photo book. For this pose it will always be photographed from a side angle, so finding a flattering angle is key. You must also be aware when positioning the couple’s hands to avoid blocking their faces. Additionally, you can get the groom to gently hold his fiancée's waist and pull her towards him to create a more dynamic pose, rather than just standing straight.

EOS R, RF50mm f/1.2L USM, f/1.8, ISO 100, 1/320s, 50mm 

Tip: ensure the light source is perpendicular to the couple’s pose (meaning it should illuminate the side profiles of your subjects). If you’re shooting outdoors, you can learn some tricks from this article too!

 

Back Hug

EOS R, RF50mm f/1.2L USM, f/2, ISO 160, 1/640s, 50mm 

A good starting pose is asking the groom to hug his bride from behind. You can get them to look at each other and even have the groom give the bride a cheeky squeeze or peck on the neck for a more intimate photo.

Tip: do make sure that the bride’s hands are holding onto the groom’s hands and not just dangling awkwardly on the side!

Then, turn your attention to your equipment and where you should stand. If you’re using a 70-200mm focal length, you'll need to stand further back and zoom into the couple. Ensure the aperture is set to either f/2.8 or f/4. Alternatively, if you are in a photogenic area, adopting a wide angle lens to include the background will also work well.

Here are two other variations you can try:

EOS R, RF50mm f/1.2L USM, f/1.8, ISO 160, 1/250s, 50mm 

 

EOS 5D Mark IV, EF24mm f/1.4L II USM, f/1.4, ISO 100, 1/640s, 24mm 

Tip: getting the subjects to close their eyes can reduce their awkwardness if they find it uncomfortable looking into the camera. 

 

The Kiss 

EOS R, RF50mm f/1.2L USM, f/2, ISO 125, 1/640s, 50mm 

There's no greater symbol of love and happiness in a photograph than a kiss, which will melt hearts when perfectly captured. While this may be awkward for some, easing the couple into a pose will naturally follow with a kiss.

All that's required is to ask the groom to stand in front of his partner. From here, there are two different options for the groom. You can either ask him to place his right hand on her back or use it to gently cradle her face. Next, ask the bride to rest her hand on the back of his neck. You don’t have to get the couples to display full-blown tongue action, just a few pecks will do.

EOS R, RF50mm f/1.2L USM, f/1.6, ISO 125, 1/125s, 50mm 

For this type of photo, we would recommend using a portrait lens. Using either a 50mm or 85mm is desirable for capturing a photo from the waist up (otherwise known as a mid-shot). You can obtain striking results by setting the aperture to its maximum value. By doing so, you will use bokeh to blur the background, ensuring the only focus will be on the couple.

 

The Happily Ever After

EOS R, RF50mm f/1.2L USM, f/1.6, ISO 160, 1/200s, 50mm  

One of the most photogenic and powerful, yet easiest poses to try is the 'Happily Ever After'. The key element for capturing this image is in making sure that you include enough background in the shot. If you’re using a lens with a fixed focal length, such as the 50mm lens, you can move backwards to create distance between the couple to achieve the shot. Leaving adequate distance between the couple and the background brings a sense of depth, signifying their journey into the future.

If you have a wide angle lens, it will definitely be easier as the lens was made to include more background in one’s shots! Have the couple walk and position them around one-third of the way from yourself to the composition background. Ask the bride and groom to hold hands and look out at the scene in front of them. Typically, these shots will include a landscape or even the chapel as the background.

Tip: ensure that you include their hands as this helps tell a story in the photograph.

Remember, posing and showing affection in front of the camera is no easy feat! Talk to your clients, reassure them that they only need to be themselves and allow for breaks whenever they need it.

 

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