4 Ways I Keep Posing Natural and Relaxed

How I Keep Posing Natural and Fun for Authentic Photos

As a wedding and portrait photographer, one of my top priorities is to make sure my clients feel comfortable and at ease in front of the camera. When you're relaxed, it shines through in your photos, and that’s when the magic happens. If you're not feeling like yourself, it almost always shows, and that’s the last thing I want. So, my approach to posing is all about keeping things natural, fun, and flowing. Here’s how I do that:

1. It Starts Before the Session: Pre-Shoot Coaching

I always spend time coaching my clients before the session begins. Don’t worry—I’m not going to ask you to be someone you’re not or force you into rigid poses that feel unnatural. Instead, I want you to do whatever feels most comfortable for you in the moment. Think of it as more of a guided experience rather than a traditional posed photo shoot.

For example, if you feel like kissing your partner, go ahead! If hugging or cuddling feels more like you, do that. My goal is to capture the moments that feel true to who you are as a couple or as a family. I’ll give you prompts to help guide the flow of the session, and I’ll adjust things if anything seems off, but otherwise, I want you to focus on simply being together and enjoying each other’s company.

2. Prompts, Not Poses

Posing can sometimes feel intimidating, especially if you’re not used to being in front of a camera. That’s why I steer away from giving you stiff, specific poses. Instead, I like to use prompts. Prompts help you focus more on each other and less on the fact that there’s a camera capturing your every move.

I might ask you to get close and look into each other’s eyes, share a secret, or walk towards me. These little actions often result in laughter, stolen glances, and sweet moments that happen naturally. You’re not thinking about where your hand should be or how you’re standing—you’re simply being present in the moment. And when you're in the moment, that’s when the best photos happen.

3. Movement is Key

Movement is your best friend during a photo session. Why? Because it helps you loosen up and feel more comfortable. I love incorporating action into the shoot, whether it’s asking you to walk hand-in-hand, spin your partner around, or even play with your pet. Movement creates natural, spontaneous moments, which in turn leads to beautiful, authentic photos.

It also takes the pressure off! Instead of feeling like you have to “perform” for the camera, movement allows you to just be yourself. And while I absolutely love those dreamy, editorial-style posed shots, most of the time, I find that a more relaxed, dynamic approach brings out the real you.

4. Balancing Editorial and Natural

Disclaimer - I still love a good, posed editorial shot, especially if there’s a specific vision I have in mind or if you come to me with a creative idea you have! But even within those editorial moments, I always try to bring in a sense of ease. The best photos, in my opinion, are the ones that capture both the beauty of the moment and the true emotion behind it.

I love bringing a sense of collaboration to my shoots, so if you have any idea, I want to hear it! It’s all about making sure your session feels personalized to you and reflects your style as a couple or family.

At the end of the day, the goal isn’t just to get beautiful photos (though we’ll definitely do that!). It’s to create images that feel like you. Photos that capture genuine connection, authentic emotions, and real moments—those are the ones that last a lifetime. When you look back on them years from now, I want you to feel the same emotions you felt during the session.

So, if you’re a bit nervous about your upcoming shoot or if you’re not sure what to expect, just know that I’ve got you. My approach is all about creating a fun, relaxed atmosphere where you can feel totally comfortable being yourselves. And when you feel at ease, the photos will naturally follow.

If you enjoy the idea of laid back posing, you may be interested in an in-home session where you can feel even more relaxed. Read more about in-home sessions here.

Click here to contact me and start talking about what your wedding or session could look like!