How to "pose" naturally for your wedding photos.

Did you know that close to 40% of Brides have REGRETS about their wedding photos?

 

Professional photographers know there is more to a photo besides a beautiful composition, backdrop, or a moment. It is vital to be a master in the art of posing to highlight the couple to look their absolute best on the biggest day of their life.

 

Studies have shown that nearly 40% of brides experience regrets after seeing their wedding photos. 

 

Here are some things we have personally heard from couples. They may shock you..

 

1: “Our photographer did not know who was needed for family photos. We had to come up with the photo combinations right on the spot. As a result we are missing so many photo combinations compared to what other couples got back from their wedding photos.”

 

2: “At my first wedding my photographer expected us to pose ourselves. I looked so awkward in those photos.”

 

3: “Our friends photographer only focused on them during their wedding day. They do not have any moments of their guests and were really disappointed to find this out after their wedding day.”

 

That’s only just a few.

 

At Valen Studios, we truly care about every couple we work with—so much so that we lose sleep if we ever let anyone down. Fortunately, we sleep very well. Why? Because we take the time to really get to know our couples before the big day, which helps them feel excited and confident about their photos. After learning that nearly half of brides are unhappy with the results from so-called 'professional' photographers, we take great pride in sharing the heartfelt words and experiences of our past couples.
 

Like Donna and Vincent, “Its hard to put into words how amazing my experience was with Steve and his team. My wedding day was more special because of the memories I know he was able to capture. His attention to detail is next to none. He wasn't there to just do his job but to also make you feel like a rockstar and model. I'm not one for pictures, but he made me feel so confidant I'm sad it is over. Picking Valen studios was one of the smartest things I have ever done. This is a top notch operation and everyone should be rest assured, you will be taken care of!”

 

In the following sections, we'll share our best tips on posing to help you look your best and feel confident, so you have no regrets on your special day.

 

The secret ingredient for great posing is COMMUNICATION from your photographer.

A majority of people tell us "I don’t want anything stiff, posed, or forced—I just want candid photos." The truth is, most couples don’t realize that they require some direction from their photographer from candid photos to posed photos. What they’re also asking for are portraits that feel natural and unposed. In fact, our couples’ favorite images are usually the ones that look effortless —even if they were lightly guided.

 

BAD COMMUNICATION EXAMPLE

How would you feel if your photographer asks you to just walk towards the camera and does not give you any other guidance? Probably a little confused on what to do. You might be asking yourself where should we look, do we hold hands or link are arms together, and how should we walk that makes us look flattering? After you see your photos you may only think about how bad the experience was and not love your photos because you think you look awkward and stiff in them.

 

GOOD COMMUNICATION EXAMPLE

Now how would you feel if your photographer took a few minutes to not only physically show you how to walk but explains how you should hold your hands, how far apart you should be from each other, how fast or slow you should be walking, and reminds you to look at each other lovingly with a smile while getting excited when you are doing it correctly. You would probably feel so much more relaxed and feel good about yourself. You may even joke that it was less painful than any picture my mom has taken of me. 

 

    
 

Posing tips that teach you body awareness for photos 

 

With a great professional photographer you do not need to have body awareness. If you happen to have photographer who is struggling to pose you these are great tips to remember. 

 

When looking at the camera:

Do's 

• Lean in to each other a little with your heads. This makes it look more romantic. 
• Both people supporting the brides bouquet or hand in pocket. Give off better vibes to the photo.
• Turn your hips slightly 45 digress towards each other. This creates a V shape and looks more flattering to the camera.
• Hide the other hands on the small of each others backs. This helps relax your shoulders more for photos.

Don't

• Lean away from each other. This makes you look like you do not like each other.
• Holding the brides bouquet too high. This not only can hide your faces but makes the photos look more forced.
• You entire bodies are facing towards the camera. A lot of people think this looked forced and too stiff for photos. 
• Wrapping your hidden hands on each others hips that can be seen by the camera. This is a huge distraction when you see a random fingers coming behind someone's back.
   

When looking at each other:

Do's 

• Have your tummy's touching with the hips furthest away from the camera. 
• Look slightly down at your significant others nose or lips. This gives a more natural look.
• Think "cheat the camera." This means when your profile is showing you want to move your nose more towards the camera so your face is showing more. This makes you look more flattering from the camera.
• Groom should have his hand closest to camera on the brides hip or wrist. This makes the photos feel more romantic. 
• Bride should have her hand on the grooms chest or bicep closest to the camera. This makes it feel more natural and loving.

Don't 

• Both body's lower half facing towards the camera when you are looking at each other. This looks so awkward and not natural. 
• Look to high up into the sky. Too much whites in your eyes can make you feel weird. 
• Turning your chin towards the camera which results your forehead turning away from the camera. The camera will see up into your nose. This looks unflattering to most people and makes it look unnatural in photos.
• Showing the "hidden hands". The can be a huge distraction when you see a random fingers coming behind someone's back.