We’ve all been there. Whether you’re a photographer taking the pictures or someone getting their portraits taken, you get in front of the camera and then you freeze up. What do I do with my hands? Where am I supposed to look? This feel so unnatural.

I completely understand and empathize with being both behind the camera and in front of it! Something about a big lens staring you in the face makes our bodies tense up and everything to feel unnatural. Luckily there are ways around that!

As a photographer, you should always come prepared with poses and prompts to every one of your sessions and I’m excited to share a few of mine with you below. If you’re not a photographer and simply having your portraits taken, you really don’t need to worry about posing ahead of time. Trust your photographer and simply show up ready to have fun!

Here are five creative poses to try at your next senior portrait session. Not all of them are strict “poses” per say, but more-so creative ideas to incorporate into your next senior portrait session to inspire creativity, build confidence, and deliver a gallery with more variety! Let’s dig in!

1. Turn sideways and reach your hand toward the camera. Now look towards the camera.

2. Create a pillow with your hands and gently lean your head into it.

3. Move those hands around! Put a hand on your hip, wrap it softly around your waist, bring a hand into your hair, or lay it gently on your collarbone. Mix and match and remember to move around for different angles (90 degrees vs. straight on).

4. Lean on something! It can be a wall, rock, or whatever is available at your session location. You can have them lean back to the wall, hip to the wall, or face the wall and lean against it with their elbow.

5. Move around and have fun! Have them run, skip, twirl, and throw their hands into the air! Play with a slow shutter speed for more variety. Set your shutter speed to 1/40 or below. Stand very still and keep your focal point on your senior so that your background stays in focus or move with them for full image blur. Don’t forget to adjust your shutter speed again afterwards.

I hope you find these tips useful. If you’re a photographer, try using these at your next senior session! If you’re a senior, I want you to know that I’ve got you covered when it comes to posing! Just show up as your authentic self and we’ll have a blast getting creative and making magic together! Ready to schedule a session? You can do so by clicking here!

Do you find these tips helpful? Want me to write about a different topic? Let me know in the comments below.

Much love,

Skyler

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