Couples

Images By Travis Hill -

Engagement photos can be extremely helpful to wedding photographers.  It is the first interaction between the photographer and couple.  Not only can you become friends during an engagement session you can find out what poses work best for the couple.  That way your not trying to figure it out on wedding day when time is crucial.

When posing couples for engagement photos I like to have fun and let the couple be themselves.  I have them walk around and do what the would normally do.  After they are comfortable with me and the camera, that’s when I start posing them.  Here are some of my favorite.

Image 1:  I just had the couple sitting together, notice her arm is angled and separated from her body.  Separation from the arm and body helps to thin your client.  If you have the arm resting on the body it may create an illusion that the subject is heavier than they actually are.  Once they’re in this position have the guy lean in to her and say something funny like “smell her neck”  not that you want him to smell her neck.  You just want the reaction of them hearing that.  So be ready to press the shutter.

Image 2:  (The Dance)  I like to have my couples dance, it is very easy and they seem to like it.  So I do it with most of my couples.  Sometimes it works well sometimes it doesn’t.  I’m not real happy with the composition of this photo, but the couple loved the shot.

Image 3:  Notice how the pose mimics the tree.  It also introduces some curves into the composition of the photo.  Look for ways to mimic lines and curves in the environment.

Image 4:  Get them close, they love each other.  They will love it.  DO something different, you rarely see couple lying down in the grass.  But by doing this you can shoot at a high angle, and give a different perspective.

Image 5:  The embrace in the middle of town.  I love this pose, and you get the chance to convey some motion.  Add a little camera tilt and a slow shutter speed and you can transform a static pose into a unique artistic image.