16. Five Key Posing Techniques

POSING IS ONE OF THE most challenging aspects of photography. At workshops, when students are asked what they wish to accomplish, nearly 80 percent of them say “posing.” For photographers, mastering what creates a great pose is a vital skill. Without it, it’s pretty hard to succeed in the people photography business, which is why I’m shocked when photographers panic when it’s time to pose the bride and groom for wedding portraits.

Usually the panic becomes apparent when the photographer starts to sweat for no reason. The sweating is followed by the repetitive use of the expression “huh,” and then “Why don’t we try this?” So the guessing game begins, and your clients are working very hard to make sense of what you are trying to describe. And the only sure thing going on in your head is the hope that something good emerges from the scrambled chaos.