"You're going to tell us what to do right?"

This is one of my FAVORITE questions. I have worked for years to acquire the skills to confidently move all kinds of people through their sessions. If you poke around in these blogs I repeat over and over again that *I* know you're not professional models, I should also stress that I hate being in front of the camera. So I know what it feels like to be in your shoes!

One of my #blessings is that I have the gift of gab. I will most likely chat your faces off while we're doing any kind of session. It's important to get to know each other on a little bit of a personal level so you can start to feel at ease with me, a practical stranger. While we're talking - BOOM photos are being taken. However if you're like me, and you want some notes to read BEFORE you head into your session - this is the blog post for you!!

How To Pose - VF Style

1.) "If it bends, bend it."

Is a famous line used by photographers to remind themselves about how to make people look more natural. The key takeaway from this one is to avoid locking any joints while standing. This is ESPECIALLY important when it comes to hands. How do you read the body language of a person who's fingers are totally straight and their posture is completely rigid? They don't look comfortable or happy.

2.) Avoid symmetry

Look through your selfies, are any of your favorite images the ones where you're in a changing room trying on an outfit? The practical image with your arms and legs straight like a gingerbread man so you can check the fit? No way. You love that image where you're laughing and your head is tilted, and your waist has a certain curve, or you've managed you hide that feature you don't love about yourself so much.

In this age of candid photography movement and capturing action is so important (especially if you've hired a videographer!!) to making your photos feel like YOU and look beautiful.

Do not have your hands at the same level, your feet should "never" be on the same plane.

3.) Chin games

"Can you photoshop my other chins out?" I can, but I mostly aim to take photos where your chin is not a factor - however in an effort to educate and comfort you here are some chin tips.

Unless I am taking a photo from the side - you can turtle your head forward. Literally push your entire face towards the camera. The trickiest part of this is not raising your chin UP, I do NOT want to shoot up your nostrils, but towards the lens of the camera. This will still stretch the anatomy of your neck out without having the adverse effect of looking at your boogers.

Another chin trick is to press your tongue to the roof of your mouth. This engages the muscles on the underside of your face without clenching your jaw and making you look stressed. (see tip #1 about NOT locking joints!)

4."Feels Weird, Looks Great"

I took a posing course at the very beginning of my career and this was the slogan promoted throughout the classes. While I agree to a certain extent, this advice should be taken with a grain of salt. One could argue everything about having your photo taken feels weird... and sometimes those photos don't look great - but that's why you're hiring a professional! I am able to be the mirror you don't have, tweaking the positions that I see to best suit your bodies and the frame we're trying to capture.

Never forget that photography is "art" so there really isn't a wrong way to do it. As we work through the session to figure out what poses look good on you alone, together, with props etc, try to be cognizant of what DOES feel good and when you get the gallery see if those are the photos you like the most! (This is why you're my ideal client - 1. you're reading all of this and 2. you're wanting to put some work in to get the best photos possible!)

5.) When in doubt, Shake it out

I bring the lights, I bring the camera, YOU bring the action. Please remember that this is usually the first time I'm meeting you. I don't know how you like to be in love, or show affection. Moving through poses is going to be so important. As I direct you into and out of static poses feel free to ad-lib some things that are special to you. Does your partner always give you a forehead kiss? Sneak a couple of those in while we're doing the dancing poses. Show me how you like to be in love! Do you snuggle a certain way while you're on the couch? Show me that so I can capture the REAL you!!

6.) Kissing with teeth

Alright, now we're getting into the REAL nitty gritty of engagement/wedding photos. Personally I don't think face smashing is the most beautiful or artistic photo available for us to choose. Don't get me wrong, if you're caught up in the moment and you mash your faces together and I capture that moment mid-aisle it might be a framer! But if we're trying to get some wall art of your love, let's be a little more suggestive about it.

The moment before the kiss is the best, and the way we make that happen is to slowly approach each other with BIG smiles on your faces (hand positions vary per shot.) and almost-almost-almost kiss, but not quite. We want to see the excitement and love between you, while you're still two individual faces!

7.) Have actual fun

Y'all, this is an exciting moment in your life, YOU'RE HAVING THE LUXURY SERVICE OF A PROFESSIONAL taking your photos. Lean into that. Mentally prepare for this session by getting excited, talk about how you met, and what those first butterflies were like when you realized it was more than just friends. Reminisce about the proposal, or think ahead to how much fun this party you're about to throw is going to be. That way, when you show up it will be fun to be express all those feelings you're remembering!

Also - it never hurts to plan a date AFTER your session. You're all dressed up and away from home.

This last bit is a gentle reminder from your friendly shutterbug that everyone's anatomy is different. A tip that works for your bestie may not work for you. None of us look like movie stars without a little help, so please love the body you are in, and be patient with the posing process. It's new to you, and weirdly, TAKES A LITTLE PRACTICE. Come with an open mind and be ready to critique the images after you receive them in an effort to make them BETTER for the next session!