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 Cover Photo by: Roberto Valenzuela

Introduction 03

1 Engagement Session 04

2 Wedding Day
Couple Portraits 11

3 Bridal Portraits 1

4 Bridesmaids 20

5 Groomsmen 23

6 Family Formals

Conclusion
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WWW.SHOOTDOTEDIT.COM Posing for the Wedding Photographer
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PHOTO BY
Roberto Valenzuela

ne of the most important aspects of being a

successful professional photographer is learning to properly pose your couples.
Posing subjects is no easy task, especially when you’re working under the pressures
of a rushed wedding timeline, imperfect lighting conditions, and subjects that
aren’t models.

Knowing how to pose clients is not easy, and perfecting this does not happen over-
night. It takes time, energy, and most of all, practice. If you take the necessary steps
to learn the fundamentals of posing and continuously practice, your images can
drastically improve. During every session you have with clients, from an engage-
ment shoot to a wedding to family portraits, you constantly have to be thinking
about how to pose and set up your next shot.

When you pose your subjects correctly in every image, not only are you gaining
trust from your clients because you are condent in what you are doing, but you
are also establishing yourself as a photographer who creates consistently
beautiful photos. In our guide, created in conjunction with Fotoskribe, Kiss
Books, Two Bright Lights, and Showit, we walk through how to master
various scenarios you encounter as a wedding photographer, from the
engagement session to the wedding day, so you can arrive to your next photo
session in confidence and ready to pose.

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PHOTO BY
Leeann Marie

hen you sit down

with the bride and groom for the first time, you get a general sense of who they
are as a couple. The engagement session is an opportunity for you to get to know
them even better! is shoot will allow you to connect with them and find
out what poses will suit their story. In this situation, you have the chance to
showcase your skills by using poses that will make them look their best
in every shot.

Use Basic Poses

Don’t be afraid to keep the poses simple at first, especially as you are still
learning their style as a couple. Have the bride-to-be stand close to her soon-to-be
husband and wrap her hands around one of his arms, and then place her head on his
shoulder. It’s simple shots like this that create a natural interaction between
the couple and provide you with dynamic images.

Resource: Book: Picture Perfect Posing by Roberto Valenzuela

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Find the Right Light

Before the engagement shoot date, scout the location to
PHOTO BY see what lighting you have to work with. The
France Photographers preparation will allow you to create poses that
incorporate the light. If you are shooting indoors and
notice that there is dim lighting, remember to bring
additional lights – also look for windows or doors that
provide natural lighting. For an outdoor shoot, become
familiar with your surroundings to know if you can
shoot with the available light or if you need to bring
your off-camera flashes.

Bring Your Energy

At this point, you and your couple are still building a
relationship. Since they may be a little shy at first, be
sure to arrive at the shoot with high energy that gets
them excited to take their photos. They hired you
because you are the professional, so don’t be afraid to
direct the scene – they want you to help them look
stunning!

PHOTO
PHOTO BY BY
Leeann
Jason and Marie
Gina Grubb

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–Dana Cubbage, South Carolina + Destination Photographer

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CHARD Photo

t
– Callie Smith, Picture Correct

Resource: Article: 10 Basic Poses for Wedding Photographers

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The Scobeys

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*Expires 4/30/18
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PHOTO BY
Roberto Valenzuela

he big day is finally here! Your couple is still reeling from the
beautiful and unique images you provided for them after the engagement shoot,
and now you have the opportunity to photograph the couple on their wedding day.
There are so many different scenarios and events that happen during a
wedding, and they each call for different posing. The first area to focus on are
the couple portraits. From the first look to the portraits you take of the couple after
the ceremony, these images are very special to the couple because it
showcases the two of them together!

Since you already took the time during the engagement session to get to know the
couple, they are going to be comfortable around you. With the rush of the wedding
day, this may be the only time that the couple has on their own, so you want
to focus on making this a fun, memorable experience.

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Resource: Blog Post: Posing Deep Dive: Small Details Can Make Big Differences

PHOTO BY
Woodland Fields Photography

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Olivia Markle

– Roberto Valenzuela, Beverly Hills Wedding Photographer

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PHOTO BY
Roberto Valenzuela

PHOTO BY
Salt and Pine Photography

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 PHOTO BY
Danny Dong Photography

– Jasmine Star, Southern California Wedding Photographer

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*Expires 4/30/18
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hile
capturing the bride and groom together is a must
on their wedding day, remember to take time to
showcase the bride on her own. She spent months
picking out her dress and shoes, along with spending
time getting her hair and makeup done. As her
wedding photographer, it’s a must to be prepared to
utilize poses that atter her from head to toe!

PHOTO BY
Roberto Valenzuela

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PHOTO BY PHOTO BY
Shane and Lauren Photography Roberto Valenzuela

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PHOTO BY
Sara France

Resource: Blog Post: Top 5 Tips for Posing Women

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PHOTO BY
Katelyn James

fter you
shoot the bridal portraits, she’s ready to have some
of her favorite people with her for more photos!
Before this moment, the bride carefully selected her
closest female friends (or family) to be part of
her bridal party. The bride and her bridesmaids
have thought about their outfits for months to
prepare for this special day. There are so many
moments of sentiment between the bride and her
bridal party during the day, which will add so much
emotion to the poses!

Capture the Details

Once ready, each bridesmaid will take pride in her
appearance on the wedding day. The bride has
worked hard to find the perfect dresses, jewelry, and
hairstyles that flatter each bridesmaid. It’s important
to document the details that make up each outfit -
from the pins in their hair, to their matching brace-
lets, to the sparkles on their shoes.

Resource: Blog Post: 3 Unique Ways to Shoot the Wedding Details

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PHOTO BY
Melissa Jill Photography

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Lin and Jirsa Photography

t’s time to focus your attention on the groomsmen! The guys

are just as excited to have their picture taken in their tuxes as the bridesmaids are
in their dresses. Show off their dashing style since they took the time to look their
best, as well.

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–– Michael Roney, Wedding Photojournalist Association

PHOTO BY
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PHOTO BY
Leeann Marie

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PHOTO BY
Leeann Marie

ou’re almost there! At this point in the wedding

day, several of the grouped posing shots have already been taken, and one of the
big posing sections that remains are the family formals. In the majority of
weddings, photos of the bride and groom’s families are a Must-Have. The couple
has invited their core family to share special moments with. This is the time
when the family has the opportunity to celebrate their joy with the newlyweds.

Create a List
Before you start posing the family, it’s important that you know exactly who
will be in each photo and how many unique groupings there will be. When you
meet with your couples before the wedding day, gather a list together
containing the names of people who will be in the family photos. This will allow
you to plan and schedule ahead of the shoot to ensure you capture every image
your couple has requested.

Organize the Family

If the family photos occur right after the ceremony, see if the officiant
can announce for all family members to stay in the area. Have your second

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Resource: Article: For Photographers: Shooting Family Formals

PHOTO BY
Leeann Marie

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PHOTO BY
Melissa Jill Photography

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 PHOTOS BY
Leeann Marie

– Digital Photography School

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