Yes- Posing is an essential aspect of a well-composed photo! Even though you may not think about it the way I do, trust me when I say this can be what makes or breaks an image. Posing plays a crucial role in family photos as it can greatly impact the overall quality of the photos. A well-executed pose can enhance the mood and emotion of the photo, while a poorly executed pose can make the photo look awkward and uncomfortable. Posing can also help to create a cohesive look and reflect the dynamics and relationships between family members.


In this blog, I will briefly overview my thought process for posing families, couples, and siblings based on my experience.


STEP 1: PICK THE POSE

My categories include ‘group,’ ‘row,’ and ‘far+near’

  • Group: I typically position Mom and Dad first as the anchor of the photo. Then, I arrange the children around them based on the family size.
  • Row: I will typically place mom and dad on the outside and the kids in the middle to again, act as an anchor.
  • Far+Near: I will again keep the parents together from the group shot, and move the children forward


STEP 2: MY BTW METHOD

  • Bond: Making sure family members have connection points with their heads, bodies, and hands in a natural way
  • Tones: The colors that are in play in the photos and what colors look better separated or close together
  • Window: Making sure I can see everyone’s faces

STEP 3: HAVE FUN

I will use different “posing prompts” to allow for fun, real smiles, and giggles and ensure the photos are not stiff.

  • “tickle the youngest.”
  • “Twirl like a princess”
  • “give me the best fake laugh you have!”


STEP 4: GET THE IN-BETWEEN MOMENTS

My favorite thing to capture is the little in-between moments that tell the story. These are also known as candid photos. The trick with a candid photo, is you have to know when they are coming. I have missed many chances, but after ten years, I can usually see one unfolding… plus, I am always ready! Some of these may look “posed,” but they are all the moments before the ‘actual’ photo, or they are the moments of downtime