How to get the pose right (Weddings)

I've been trying to do more portraiture of families and couples recently. My job involves getting families to feel comfortable in tough situations so I'm very used to it. Getting a conversation going (can't believe I'm agreeing with memories above)...having them talking to each other and interacting with each other definitely makes for a more natural group of pictures which often gets you great photos especially with kids and families. However, I'm sure there are techniques...some of which are in that video...that help people look better than they might otherwise look...more slimming, getting the viewer to focus on someone's face and not their arm etc. I think that information would be great to have (I don't know it yet). Maybe some of you professionals would consider giving a tip or two to help the rest of us.

Luxx wrote in post #16555463
I've been trying to do more portraiture of families and couples recently. My job involves getting families to feel comfortable in tough situations so I'm very used to it. Getting a conversation going (can't believe I'm agreeing with memories above)...having them talking to each other and interacting with each other definitely makes for a more natural group of pictures which often gets you great photos especially with kids and families. However, I'm sure there are techniques...some of which are in that video...that help people look better than they might otherwise look...more slimming, getting the viewer to focus on someone's face and not their arm etc. I think that information would be great to have (I don't know it yet). Maybe some of you professionals would consider giving a tip or two to help the rest of us.

Im no Doug Gordon but having the brides arms "hidden" by things is always a bonus. Even if she is really thin, having her arm against herself or something else can make it look wider by bulging under pressure. Always have her do everything "lightly" I try to work the word "lightly" into all of my verbal directino when takling to brides. Smile lightly, lightly turn your eyes up to me, etc.

Look up Roberto Valenzuela's book on posing, or check out the Creative lives by RV or Sue Bryce.

http://www.youtube.com​/watch?v=Df_VMw7uQ_s

here is some of salazars advise

I am really shocked that Bambi Cantrell, a wedding industry leader has not been mentioned in this thread! She is a posing genius and she can make anyone look good. She has been doing this for years, and she knows what she is doing. I strongly suggest checking into her videos on Youtube where she has been on CreativeLive.

I do not agree with forcing a pose on a couple. If it does not work for a couple, I will not force it upon them. The best posing for me, is just letting the couple be themselves with direction from me. I can tell a couple to stand this way, and stand that way. Im not capturing who they really are, Im capturing them as I posed them. Not them, as they are staring into each others eyes with a wide smile on their face. I would rather work much more natural with my wedding couples, and wouldn't feel comfortable directing their every move. For me, I love setting up a simple pose, and letting them to the rest.

Here is a couple shots I got just letting them be themselves. I am in love with this ring shot.

Not a fan of his hand position in the top one... in his pocket like he can't be bothered.

Her right hand in the second could be positioned better too. It dominates over the ring hand which should be the main subject.

I agree, his hand shouldn't have been in his pocket, that is something I would have correct if we were not in a rush. It was -1 outside and we had to hurry.

If these were competition prints, yes I would have posed better. My eye is still drawn to her ring finger.

Time available is irrelevant. Those are the things we are paid to spot rushing or not.

My eye goes straight to the bend on her right wrist which looks to be deformed due to the way the light falls on it.

Milutiche wrote in post #16538866
Hi all, I'm looking for some advice on getting my bride and groom looking their best for their wedding coming up in 2 months.

Are there any online resources you would recommend for getting the essential shots?

I've photographed a few weddings and have been happy with what I've produced but when it comes down to getting people posed I sometimes struggle.

thanks in advance
Jason

Pose the bride first then add the groom.

jkdjedi wrote in post #16592464
Pose the bride first then add the groom.

Or leave the groom out. No one will care.

I ususally tell the groom that he is merely a prop in these photos. And he usually says, "I know".

Every photographer has trouble at times with posing. There are no magic bullets. I'm a fan of the non-pose pose - in other words, just get the bride and groom to hang out, minimal interference, minimal instruction (aside from asking them to make sure they're not blocking each other from the camera). If you can keep it light and warm and funny, you'll get results.

I do have fallback poses though, for those couples that are very awkward. Just browse the net for some shots you like and memorize the look (or carry a cheat-sheet of little pictures). Basic ones, like having the groom stand behind the bride and cuddle her. A good trick in this position is to get him to whisper something in her ear. If it's stupid, she'll laugh (bingo), if it's romantic, she'll blush and smile (bingo). Either way it usually lightens the situation. Maybe get the to do a little dance. Anything to loosen them up.

Oh, and try to minimize kissing shots. It's a lazy way to pose, and too many kissing shots will make your work look boring. I didn't care for the Doug Gordon poses either - looked cheesy to me.

Chicks aka brides love kissing poses. She won't mind. She's the one who matters. As long as it's not ALL you do, you can do as much as you want.

In the end, all that matters is what your client likes when it comes to posing. My opinion is this should be a separate meeting and conversation with your clients before wedding day arrives.

Now I know im going to catch a lot of flack here but this is one of the reasons I encourage brides to get on pinterest. And before you roast my a$$ with all the photography community reasons why I should not do this, I am going to tell you why first

90% of the brides have no fricken clue what they like or want. They see the pretty pictures from everyone, they get overwhelmed, they see stuff from everyone they like. I encourage the girls to build a wall on pintrest so I can see where their heads are at with photo choices. I gives me a clue as to what they are thinking and trust me it changes from week to week. I can immediately determine why a style may or may not work.

Now im not going to copy anything or anyone. But I will see what they have selected and we can have the conversation about whats going to work, how we can spin it to something to our own, and how it will or wont work with the times line and what they want to have photographed for the day.

Its a good tool when used right and it determines what they will like and not like before your day begins. I mean why go through a bunch of poses and looks if they are not going to like them to begin with is my thoughts. So thats what i do. They may not like a Doug Gordon look or a Bambi Cantrell look. They might like Joe schmo no name photographer from kentucky.........have the conversations before you show up is what im suggesting.

When I'm doing the initial consult with the B+G I'm often asked about Pinterest. I'm pretty firm about saying that I'm not a Pinterest photographer--in a funny jovial way, of course--and then add that I love the idea of including a few ideas they see on Pinterest on the day. The main reason I stamp out the idea of getting 20+ 'must do' shots / poses from the B+G is that I'd prefer to work with folks who want me to do what I do. I have a certain product that I offer; it makes sense to work with people who are at least mostly on-board with that. I should add: it's strange, but even with folks who ask about Pinterest, my response tends to seal the deal, get the booking.

But using Pinterest as a tool to help the B+G hone their own aesthetic about wedding photos--brilliant. I think it's totally helpful to know, for example, that the couple isn't particularly romantic and so would find certain poses not only uncomfortable--but even worse, would find the resultant photos (even if by most standards look great) not to really depict them as they truly are. So as an example, if they pointed out 5 B+G shots all of which had the couple NOT looking at the camera, I would pay more attention to that aspect rather than penciling down an exact post. But again, 2-3 pose requests, even from Pinterest, I'm happy to oblige.

umphotography wrote in post #16594127
In the end, all that matters is what your client likes when it comes to posing. My opinion is this should be a separate meeting and conversation with your clients before wedding day arrives.

Now I know im going to catch a lot of flack here but this is one of the reasons I encourage brides to get on pinterest. And before you roast my a$$ with all the photography community reasons why I should not do this, I am going to tell you why first

90% of the brides have no fricken clue what they like or want. They see the pretty pictures from everyone, they get overwhelmed, they see stuff from everyone they like. I encourage the girls to build a wall on pintrest so I can see where their heads are at with photo choices. I gives me a clue as to what they are thinking and trust me it changes from week to week. I can immediately determine why a style may or may not work.

Now im not going to copy anything or anyone. But I will see what they have selected and we can have the conversation about whats going to work, how we can spin it to something to our own, and how it will or wont work with the times line and what they want to have photographed for the day.

Its a good tool when used right and it determines what they will like and not like before your day begins. I mean why go through a bunch of poses and looks if they are not going to like them to begin with is my thoughts. So thats what i do. They may not like a Doug Gordon look or a Bambi Cantrell look. They might like Joe schmo no name photographer from kentucky.........have the conversations before you show up is what im suggesting.