4 Key Differences in Directing Couples vs. Families

4 Key Differences in Directing Couples vs. Families | Skyler Maire Photography

Are you a family photographer interested in dipping your toes into wedding and couples photography? That was exactly my story when I started building my business. I knew I wanted to photograph families right from the start – wild, rambunctious children, growing families, and capturing their fleeting memories. It wasn’t until I photographed my friend’s engagement session (and later on, their wedding) that I got a real taste of what it was like to photograph couples. (Spoiler alert: it was wayyyyy different than I expected!)

Over time, I discovered that I actually LOVE working with couples! It’s a refreshing change from working mainly with parents and kids, and it also helped improve my maternity session direction and opened the doors to wedding photography, which is now a huge part of my business. While both couples and family sessions are fun and rewarding, they require different approaches.

If you’re a family photographer thinking about adding couples photography to your offerings, here are 4 key differences in directing couples vs. families, so you know what to expect!

1. Posing Two People vs. Posing 3+ People

One of the most obvious differences is the number of people you’re working with and their relationships to one another. When directing couples, the session is more intimate, focusing on their unique relationship dynamic. Posing is often about creating connection, and there’s a lot of interaction between just the two of them.

With families, you’re working with more subjects—often including small children with short attention spans! You need to juggle keeping the group together and engaged, ensuring everyone looks relaxed and connected in the frame.

The biggest difference in directing couples vs. families is that with families, the challenge is keeping everyone, especially kids, engaged. Whereas, with couples, they can usually hold a pose or interaction a bit longer, giving you more time to fine-tune your images.

2. Using Different Prompts and Poses

When directing couples, prompts usually lean toward romantic or playful energy. You’re trying to capture their emotional connection and chemistry, so the poses focus on their relationship. (Think whispering sweet things in one another’s ear, slow dancing, or nuzzling noses.)

For families, your prompts are more playful and focused on capturing the dynamic between parents and kids. Encouraging interaction is key, especially with children, where tickling prompts, playful running/jumping, or parents lifting kids into the air work wonders.

The difference in directing couples vs. families here is that you’ll use more romantic, connection-based prompts for couples, while with families, it’s all about keeping things playful and fun to keep the little ones engaged.

3. Directing Shy Couples vs. Stressed-Out Parents

Family photographers are probably used to stressed-out parents, but shy couples can be a new challenge. When working with shy couples, they often require reassurance and confidence-building throughout the session. You’ll want to guide them gently, offering light and fun prompts to help them interact with each other rather than focusing on the camera. (For more tips on how to help shy couples feel comfortable, check out my blog post on the subject!)

With families, especially those with young children, you’ll more likely be dealing with stressed parents. They’re often distracted by their kids or worried about how everyone looks on camera. The key here is staying calm and helping them relax by engaging with the children and easing any pressure to “perform.”

In directing couples vs. families, the main difference is that with couples, you focus on helping them connect with each other to ease their shyness. With families, you need to alleviate the stress of parents and make the environment fun and playful for their kids.

4. Energy Levels and Session Flow

Directing couples vs. families means adjusting to different energy levels. With couples, sessions can have varied pacing, from upbeat and playful moments to more relaxed, intimate ones. Once they’re comfortable, couples are generally easier to direct, and the session often feels calm and organic.

Family sessions, on the other hand, tend to be fast-paced and full of energy, especially with younger children. You’ll need to transition between posed and candid moments quickly, capturing spontaneous interactions while keeping everyone engaged.

The key difference in directing couples vs. families is that with families, you may only get a split second to capture the perfect image, so be ready to switch gears at a moment’s notice. With couples, you can take more time fine-tuning poses and capturing authentic moments.

To wrap things up, directing couples vs. families brings unique challenges and joys, but understanding the key differences makes a world of difference in how you approach each session. Whether it’s balancing playful prompts with kiddos or capturing intimate moments between two people, adapting your direction is essential for creating a smooth and rewarding experience for your clients.

Ready to take your photography game to the next level? Grab my free guide, Nine Effortless Poses to Make Any Couple Look Amazing, and sign up for my newsletter for more tips on directing both couples and families with confidence! 🙂

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