10 Poses/Prompts For Your Next Session
Hannah Marie Photography
How to naturally pose your couples for the storytelling experience you and them, are looking for!
January 5th, 2023
Photography, the wonderful skill of capturing people as they are, a moment in time. We often get hung up in the prompting of our couples to “act candidly” but instead we need to focus on backing off and ACTUALLY capturing candid moments.
Below I’ve put together my favorite prompts going into how I love to prompt my couples and then capture as the moment unfolds. I always like to note, make sure you get to know your couple BEFORE the session. Nothing can be more awkward than making them feel uncomfortable by a prompt (ie. Tickle her- and little do you know she HATES to be tickled)
Moments (good and bad, I know- ugh) will all be remembered during the session, so it is sooo important to always be yourself but make sure the experience is superb!
Tummy to Tummy
This is a very simple natural pose but there can be so many photos to be had under this pose. Right off the bat, I always tell them to get nice and close, squeeze each other in, and for her to wrap her arms around his neck (again this doesn’t work for all couples so make sure it is doable!) Then from there- I usually ask one of them “What is your favorite trait about him/her” *Something to note, is always know when to listen or when not to listen to their answers- there are certain question/answer combinations that are only meant for their ears so always be courteous!” You may get a laugh, you may get a snuggle but be ready for anything that comes next!
2. Play with his hair/scruff
In my cases, it is usually a more intimate prompt since the couple will usually look at eachother and let’s be honest, it must feel good to get some scratches sometimes! haha This can also be a funny prompt since some couples don’t normally play with the others beard scruff but you know, there’s a first for everything!
3. Kiss Attack
The classic kiss attack is always a great one to do, usually it brings the energy! A simple way to slow it down and into a more intimate moment is to say “Okay, now instead of a kiss attack, I’m going to have you guys go in very slow and then when you’re about to kiss wait 2 seconds, and then go for it” This can still be super fun but creates a more intimate moment. (P.S. always make sure their eyes are shut)
4. Tickle
This can be tickles anywhere, in this case they were still tummy to tummy so prompted him to tickle her waist! Make sure both parties are having fun, we all know getting tickled too long can be horrible haha. Also, I always give it back to the other person too, so both will end up being tickled.
5. Him lead and her follow (Run or walk)
This one is fun to get the couple moving, sometimes I will just start saying “Okay, now run- Jon you lead goooo!” and it can make the spontaneity come out! It is really nice to leave it up to your couples to see how they will interpret the prompt.
6. On the Shoulders
Feel free to have them spin, stretch their arms out, have fun with it! Tell him to act like she’s the airplane and fly around. Reach down and kiss him on the forehead, grab his face, look up!
7. Dance
My go to song is “Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off” by Joe Nichols, most know it and it is SOOO fun to dance to! Also, it sparks interesting conversations!
8. Snuggle
I always have her snuggle into his back, make sure with this pose that both are comfy and her head is angled correctly. With couples that are the same height, this pose doesn’t work. I’ll usually have her whisper her favorite thing about him in his ear, look at me, look down, and peek up at him.
9. Detail shots
Simple detail shots, are so important to create the story of the session. Be sure to capture those small touches, little moments, and small details.
10. Piggy Back Ride
Last but not least, a piggy back ride! These are soooo fun and perfect to end the session on. I usually will have him pretend to buck her off, spin, run, jump, literally anything to create movement. This pose is not a sweet one, this is a WILD one, have fun with it, call out random things, and they will be laughing the whole time.
