Post on 05-Apr-2018
transcript
8/2/2019 Posing Tips for Couples _ Kern-Photo
1/29
5/3/12 Posing Tips for Couples | Kern-Photo
1/29www.kern-photo.com/index.php/2011/04/posing-tips-for-photographers/
get in touch! 303.474.0983 / kernphoto@mac.com check availability
Home
Categories
Weddings
Engagements
Portraits
Personal
Happenings
About
About RJ
FAQ
Gear
Pricing
TestimonialsResources
For Clients
Ask the Expert
For Photographers
Contact
Search
Posing Tips for Couples
04.18.11 / Photographer Resources, Weddings / 19 Comments
Show a person their portrait, most likely they will search for immediate flaws. As a photographer, we should speak to those weaknesses by not emphasizing them what our
clients feel as their insecurities. How? Be specific about what we shoot and show how beautiful they can look. Photojournalists might might ace the expository essay, but whats
the point if clients dont lookandfeel confident and sexy?
Different body types react to different angles. As wedding photographers practice, they should learn what works and what doesnt. Magazines like Harpers, W, Vanity Fair,
Marie Claire,In Style inspire. However, most clients are not models. The goal for natural posing is to create a realistic, flattering, natural, and sexy portrait. Its the
PHOTOGRAPHERS fault if a client looks goofy in a pose.
I see a lot of bad bad bad posing on The Interwebs. Myself, guilty, but have learned from my ways. I used to try tooo hard to pose. Ultimately, now, I want my clients to look,
and feel, like models of themselves, real & genuine.
Which is why I share my black book of tips, illustrated for future clients and wedding photographer competitors alike. For free.
Three Ps of Posing (Peas & Carrots):
1. Pre-visualize. Sketch out poses and keep them in one place, a notebook or iPhone. Take photos of clippings from magazines and load into your iPhone by creating an
iPhoto folder called Posing Ideas. Study those the next time you wait for the barista
2. Pass notes. If desperate, share that iPhone photos with the client on location so you both know the goal.
3. Practice makes perfect. Thats wrong.PERFECTpractice makes perfect. In advance, practice directing your different poses with a friend or loved one. Liking a pose
is one thing, but making it happen is art.
My top 55 posing tips, 100% pre-visualized.
When 100% all else fails,make the prom pose happen in your style:
8/2/2019 Posing Tips for Couples _ Kern-Photo
2/29
5/3/12 Posing Tips for Couples | Kern-Photo
2/29www.kern-photo.com/index.php/2011/04/posing-tips-for-photographers/
Have them hold each
other tight and FEEEEEL the moment.
Break rules, and turn
couples away from each other to create visual tension.
8/2/2019 Posing Tips for Couples _ Kern-Photo
3/29
5/3/12 Posing Tips for Couples | Kern-Photo
3/29www.kern-photo.com/index.php/2011/04/posing-tips-for-photographers/
8/2/2019 Posing Tips for Couples _ Kern-Photo
4/29
5/3/12 Posing Tips for Couples | Kern-Photo
4/29www.kern-photo.com/index.php/2011/04/posing-tips-for-photographers/
Then spilit them apart
for extra visual tension:
8/2/2019 Posing Tips for Couples _ Kern-Photo
5/29
5/3/12 Posing Tips for Couples | Kern-Photo
5/29www.kern-photo.com/index.php/2011/04/posing-tips-for-photographers/
Master the Fu-
Mancho arm pretzel and you might get a black belt. Or a deadly funny-romantic pose creating leading lines & interesting perspective, with emotion to boot:
8/2/2019 Posing Tips for Couples _ Kern-Photo
6/29
5/3/12 Posing Tips for Couples | Kern-Photo
6/29www.kern-photo.com/index.php/2011/04/posing-tips-for-photographers/
Stage it and fah-get-
a-bout-it: Forehead
8/2/2019 Posing Tips for Couples _ Kern-Photo
7/29
5/3/12 Posing Tips for Couples | Kern-Photo
7/29www.kern-photo.com/index.php/2011/04/posing-tips-for-photographers/
to forehead: Then
add the hand with the ring towards the camera to show off the bling. Just be. I tell this to my newly weds all the time. Creates genuine emotion.
Master the 90%
8/2/2019 Posing Tips for Couples _ Kern-Photo
8/29
5/3/12 Posing Tips for Couples | Kern-Photo
8/29www.kern-photo.com/index.php/2011/04/posing-tips-for-photographers/
kiss : When the
moment is right, LOVE IT UP. Smack dab kiss!
Lighting will make or
break any photo. Be creative, otherwise youll look like everyone else in the phone book.
8/2/2019 Posing Tips for Couples _ Kern-Photo
9/29
5/3/12 Posing Tips for Couples | Kern-Photo
9/29www.kern-photo.com/index.php/2011/04/posing-tips-for-photographers/
My classic pose, girl
leans into guy. Works
8/2/2019 Posing Tips for Couples _ Kern-Photo
10/29
5/3/12 Posing Tips for Couples | Kern-Photo
10/29www.kern-photo.com/index.php/2011/04/posing-tips-for-photographers/
again And again
even at Burning Man in the Black Rock Desert, Nevada:
And again
Remember Location. Give them a reason to be there. Walking, stepping, relaxing. Shoot wide to emphasis place, keeping mindful of the importance of environmental portraiture
(portraits of people in a special place). This time, San Francisco Bay:
8/2/2019 Posing Tips for Couples _ Kern-Photo
11/29
5/3/12 Posing Tips for Couples | Kern-Photo
11/29www.kern-photo.com/index.php/2011/04/posing-tips-for-photographers/
And again, girl into
guy: Vary up
perspective and shoot from above:
8/2/2019 Posing Tips for Couples _ Kern-Photo
12/29
5/3/12 Posing Tips for Couples | Kern-Photo
12/29www.kern-photo.com/index.php/2011/04/posing-tips-for-photographers/
Or predict a
candid all while laying her into him (and hell love it!!!)
Let the girl take
control and guy relax for a chance, heaven do not forbid!
8/2/2019 Posing Tips for Couples _ Kern-Photo
13/29
5/3/12 Posing Tips for Couples | Kern-Photo
13/29www.kern-photo.com/index.php/2011/04/posing-tips-for-photographers/
Show your love,
without kissing. This forces them to touch, feel, breath. Arms around each other.
Then theres the
simple role reversal, let the guy do the action without kissing have him show his love to her without kissing, using simple expression.
8/2/2019 Posing Tips for Couples _ Kern-Photo
14/29
5/3/12 Posing Tips for Couples | Kern-Photo
14/29www.kern-photo.com/index.php/2011/04/posing-tips-for-photographers/
Just dance the
hands will do the rest:
8/2/2019 Posing Tips for Couples _ Kern-Photo
15/29
5/3/12 Posing Tips for Couples | Kern-Photo
15/29www.kern-photo.com/index.php/2011/04/posing-tips-for-photographers/
Hands can serve as
circles or leading lines to the faces and eyes.
Note the fingers turn
back towards the eyes.
8/2/2019 Posing Tips for Couples _ Kern-Photo
16/29
5/3/12 Posing Tips for Couples | Kern-Photo
16/29www.kern-photo.com/index.php/2011/04/posing-tips-for-photographers/
Create emotion. A
laugh or tear will make that photo more genuine and special and memorable. Again, check out where those fingers are pointing.
Master the power of
the ability to quickly create two portraits within a few seconds of each other. Four examples:
8/2/2019 Posing Tips for Couples _ Kern-Photo
17/29
5/3/12 Posing Tips for Couples | Kern-Photo
17/29www.kern-photo.com/index.php/2011/04/posing-tips-for-photographers/
8/2/2019 Posing Tips for Couples _ Kern-Photo
18/29
5/3/12 Posing Tips for Couples | Kern-Photo
18/29www.kern-photo.com/index.php/2011/04/posing-tips-for-photographers/
Almost *almost* kiss
above eyebrow does wonders.
Hands on the hips
never goes out of style:
8/2/2019 Posing Tips for Couples _ Kern-Photo
19/29
5/3/12 Posing Tips for Couples | Kern-Photo
19/29www.kern-photo.com/index.php/2011/04/posing-tips-for-photographers/
Hands so possession,
ownership, and power. Use them accordingly to make a statement, from powerful to loveable.
8/2/2019 Posing Tips for Couples _ Kern-Photo
20/29
5/3/12 Posing Tips for Couples | Kern-Photo
20/29www.kern-photo.com/index.php/2011/04/posing-tips-for-photographers/
Dont smile (to the
camera). They can smile at each other, but not at the camera. Real smiles dont usually look into the lens.
8/2/2019 Posing Tips for Couples _ Kern-Photo
21/29
5/3/12 Posing Tips for Couples | Kern-Photo
21/29www.kern-photo.com/index.php/2011/04/posing-tips-for-photographers/
8/2/2019 Posing Tips for Couples _ Kern-Photo
22/29
5/3/12 Posing Tips for Couples | Kern-Photo
22/29www.kern-photo.com/index.php/2011/04/posing-tips-for-photographers/
Step away. Distance
creates tension. When they look back at each other, theyll smile.
In some cases, hands
distract. In this case keep them warm and out of sight.
8/2/2019 Posing Tips for Couples _ Kern-Photo
23/29
5/3/12 Posing Tips for Couples | Kern-Photo
23/29www.kern-photo.com/index.php/2011/04/posing-tips-for-photographers/
Shoot details. Close-
ups of hands, feet, lips tell a powerful story. Show, dont tell. Happy faces dont necessarily have to be pictured to show a happy moment. Details all the way down to the finger
tips Tight denim
pocks serve a marvelous prop.
8/2/2019 Posing Tips for Couples _ Kern-Photo
24/29
5/3/12 Posing Tips for Couples | Kern-Photo
24/29www.kern-photo.com/index.php/2011/04/posing-tips-for-photographers/
Note lleading lines from the dress to brink wall to the pinky hold.
8/2/2019 Posing Tips for Couples _ Kern-Photo
25/29
5/3/12 Posing Tips for Couples | Kern-Photo
25/29www.kern-photo.com/index.php/2011/04/posing-tips-for-photographers/
Use hands naturally to do something they normally should, like be scared:
Hands do things naturally than come easy like hold cupcakes or swings. Getting clients involved in doing something fun is the fun part!
8/2/2019 Posing Tips for Couples _ Kern-Photo
26/29
5/3/12 Posing Tips for Couples | Kern-Photo
26/29www.kern-photo.com/index.php/2011/04/posing-tips-for-photographers/
And for every rule,
theres a chance to break the rule. This time, I used the hands to over accentuate body gestures for the sake of humor.
8/2/2019 Posing Tips for Couples _ Kern-Photo
27/29
5/3/12 Posing Tips for Couples | Kern-Photo
27/29www.kern-photo.com/index.php/2011/04/posing-tips-for-photographers/
19 Comments Link To This
Posted by R. J. on April 18, 2011
Tags: model posing tips, Posing Tips for photographers
19 Responses to Posing Tips for Couples
1. 1
Willie Dalton 04.18.11 @ 11:47 pm
Thank you Mr. Kern!
This is a phenominal blog post. It approached a common part of the job in a simple, easy to understand way.
Every one of your photos is crisp, clean, and well thought out. Your narrations prove this!
Awesome work RJ! I appreciate the hard work you put into these posts and am grateful to experience your growing body of work!
Keep it up!
2. 2
John Bosley 04.19.11 @ 7:41 am
Thanks for the great post! Im inspired just reading it. I cant wait to get out and use some of these tips.
3. 3
Danny C. 04.19.11 @ 9:26 am
We will see you on Oahu this fall! Aloooooooooooooooha!
4. 4
Marci Johnson 04.19.11 @ 9:28 am
Awesome as always
5. 5
Chung Nguyen 04.19.11 @ 11:50 am
Dude, youve photographed, like, a million couples!
6. 6
8/2/2019 Posing Tips for Couples _ Kern-Photo
28/29
5/3/12 Posing Tips for Couples | Kern-Photo
28/29www.kern-photo.com/index.php/2011/04/posing-tips-for-photographers/
becky g. 04.19.11 @ 8:47 pm
I love this post, thanks!
7. 7
Jensen 04.19.11 @ 11:47 pm
Awesome ideas and FANTASTIC photos!!
8. 8
Marnie Kern 04.20.11 @ 9:01 am
Thank you RJ for doing this. It is a beautiful lesson. You art is amazing. Keep those beautiful pictures coming! You are very special to share your talent with the rest of us.
Most could not. Would not. You do. The photo world thanks you.
9. 9
Brooke 04.21.11 @ 11:44 am
Wow these are awesome tips, thanks RJ!
10. 10
Sachin 05.08.11 @ 5:00 pm
Yeah. youre the man dude.. awesome blog post! Thank you for taking the time to write this! Must have taken ages!!
Cheers
S
11. 11
Lori Huskins 05.12.11 @ 8:05 am
LOVED this! Awesome job!
12. 12
Paul 05.27.11 @ 12:11 am
Hey dude, thanks for your post, your tips are absolutely brilliant!
13. 13
Girish 07.20.11 @ 8:59 pm
This is brilliant. Thanks for this. One of the best tips of posing I have seen yet.
14. 14
Rica 07.26.11 @ 1:57 pm
I am not a professional photographer, but am being repeatedly asked to do portraits for friends. I am much more comfortable with candid shots, so this was a tremendous
help, and clearly laid out. Thank you so much!!! I love your work, by the way.
15. 15
Calvin 08.23.11 @ 11:29 am
Use of the hands pointing and frameing were new and most useful but overall I want to thank you many times for each of the points I have learned.
16. 16
Staging Foregrounds {creative tutorial} | Kern-Photo 11.28.11 @ 3:59 pm
[...] shot out of the way. Choose a suitable location, put them in the good light, keep in mind my posing tips for couples, and encourage some genuine interaction. Done.
8/2/2019 Posing Tips for Couples _ Kern-Photo
29/29
5/3/12 Posing Tips for Couples | Kern-Photo
Step 2. Keep encouraging the interaction and fun [...]
17. 17
The Hit List: 32 Photo Tips & Tutorials from 2011 | Kern-Photo 12.21.11 @ 1:36 am
[...] of a 5-minute portrait session with a mini-tutorial:22. Workshop highlights from Free to Create:23. Learn the 3 Ps for posing couples:24. Compare, if you dare, the
Nikon 14-24 vs 24 f/1.4 vs 24-70 f/2.8.25. Read my steps on Going Pro, [...]
18. 18
kate 01.12.12 @ 2:13 pm
so helpful, thank you!!!
19. 19
Cameron 04.17.12 @ 8:46 am
I really appreciate this blog post.. Im new to the photography world & I need as much guidance as possible. Thank you
Leave a Comment
Name (required)
Mail (required - will not be published)
Website URL
Comment
Submit Comment
Popular Posts
Posing Tips for Couples
Flatland: A Wedding, Deconstructed
on-axis fill with ring flash
Pages & Information
FAQ
Contact
Pricing
Testimonials
Join our Mailing List
Join to our newsletter to receive news & updates from kern-photo.
enter email address Go
Keep in Touch
303.474.0983
kernphoto@mac.com
2008 2012 Ke Ph t De i b P