Often times I find myself disliking pictures of myself more than liking them. Whether it’s a selfie or a professional photograph, I never know what to do in front of the camera. When you add my husband to the photo who can be just as awkward, it makes for awkward looking pictures. 

 

One of the most valuable things I’ve learned as a photographer came from being behind the camera. No matter how much you love the lighting, editing, location, and composition of a picture, you are not going to LOVE it if you think it looks unflattering! Like it? Yes, of course! Post it on social media and hang it up on your wall. Memories are important even if they aren’t “picture perfect”. However, I want to share with you a simple shift you can make in your posing so that you and your partner’s pictures won’t look like you’re in Junior High about to go to a dance.

 

Let’s use my husband and I as an example. We already feel awkward about our height difference (I’m 4’10 and he’s 6’2). When someone is taking a picture of you and your partner, it’s natural to put your arms around each other and just stand there. This often because you aren’t able to see yourself in a mirror when the picture is being taken and you often get stressed when you have to get the snapshot taken in a quick moment. Take a look at this picture:

 

 

Now look at some adjustments made in this next picture:

 

 

In reality, we look good in both pictures. In spite of taking a fairly good picture, my friend couldn’t stop laughing after I showed her the first one. She told me that my husband looked like my dad and I was his daughter. It’s true, the first picture doesn’t offer much context. The second picture shows us being closer with more touching, adding purpose to the image. Let’s talk about what we did differently in the second picture to make us look more flattering and natural.

 

When I pose my clients for couples portrait sessions, I make sure they are in a comfortable stance and doing something with their legs, hands, heads, and eyes. 

 

Comfortable Stance: For the guy, stand with your feet shoulder width apart, having your toes pointed to the camera. For the girl, stand with your bellybutton towards your partner’s waist.

 

Feet: For the guy, keep your legs straight. For the girl, give a slight knee pop that is closest to the camera. This creates more shape in your body.

 

Hands: For the guy, wrap your arm around your partner’s waist and put your other free hand in your pocket. Make sure to keep your thumb out of your pocket. For the girl, wrap your arm closest to the camera around the guys chest (or stomach for you short girls). Wrap the other arm around his back.

 

Heads: Pictures tend to look most flattering when there isn’t too much space in between subjects. For this pose, both my husband and I looked straight into the camera. I still made sure to put my head closely to his body. For those who are closer in height, putting your heads closer together will make the pose look more comfortable. 

 

This pose can be created in a matter of seconds and is easy to use whether on vacation and a stranger is taking a snapshot of you or on your own wedding day. No matter how you choose to pose, applying these tips can be useful. Remember, don’t have a lot of space between you and your partner, and always have something for your legs, hands, head, and eyes to do.

 

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