Pixiq

It is said that the easiest people in the world to pose are those that are in love. I’ve often found this very true.

Endri-Inne

Couples in love want to touch each other, to be close to one another, and to share their happiness with others and they want it all to look natural. That’s the real key. Yes, we’re talking about formal poses but making them look as natural as possible creates images that stand the test of time.

Most wedding couples want their pictures taken together and they're eager for the shot to turn out well. It’s your job to help them along the way.

How to light the couple

The use of skim lighting can be used for the bride and groom shots. Your basic rule here is to have the groom closest to the light source. This will help in keeping her bridal gown from being blown out. It also happens to turn the white dress into a reflector bouncing light into those really dark shadows in the grooms darker attire. This same rule holds truth in natural light as well so watch your placement of the couple in conjunction to the sun. Take your readings from the shadow area where you want detail but watch out for too dark shadows falling across the faces.

How close should you pose the couple?

Even though the bride and groom will naturally gravitate towards each other initially pose them slightly apart. Then lean them into or toward each other to close the gap. This will create a dynamic motion where a final lean in towards the camera will finish the pose and find your couple in flattering positions.

Watch those hands!

One of the most awkward things in the world to properly pose are hands. Those little appendages can ruin a photo if left unattended. Ensure that the couple are hand in hand when the occasion calls for it not interlocking fingers. Keep wayward hands out of view completely and try not to amputate any fingers or thumbs with your framing. This can kill the gracefulness of the photograph and spoil an otherwise flowing composition.

Be dynamic

Don’t waste your time with “lineup” shots. Nobody wants those. Seek a dynamism by utilizing different levels of motion. The groom sitting and the bride leaning in from behind works well. Try the bride standing in slight profile with the groom looking on with affection. Experimentation is key. You don’t have to contort the couple but you shouldn’t have them pose statically either.

The key

Connection. That’s the real key. You’re trying to show a connection between the couple that expresses love, caring, and shared memories. This is an emotional time filled with anticipation and affection. Make their portraits so that those feelings are shared with the future viewers of the photographs.

Photograph Endri-Inne by Joice Karyadi