Engagement Session Tips: Posing Like a Pro
You’re engaged—yay! 🎉 Now comes the fun (and sometimes overwhelming) part: choosing the perfect venue, finding your dream vendors, and planning all the little details that will bring your vision to life. And of course, one of the biggest parts of your wedding journey? Photography!
Let’s be real—being in front of a camera can feel a little nerve-wracking. Even if you’ve found the perfect photographer, the thought of posing might have you stressing. No one wants to feel stiff, awkward, or overly posed in their engagement or wedding photos!
As a wedding photographer, I totally get it. Most of my couples start out feeling nervous about their portraits—but by the time we’re done, they’re laughing, relaxed, and totally owning the camera. How? With just a few simple posing tips that make a huge difference in helping you feel natural, confident, and—most importantly—like yourself!
Not every photographer takes the time to teach couples these little tricks, so I put together this blog to help! Whether we get to work together or not, I want you to step in front of the camera feeling excited instead of anxious.
📸 Bonus: Since so many of us are visual learners, I’ll include example photos with each tip so you can see exactly how these posing techniques work in real life!
Let’s dive in and make sure your engagement and wedding photos look effortlessly gorgeous! ✨
Posing Tip #1: Shift Your Weight for a Natural, Relaxed Look
Ever noticed how you naturally shift your weight when you’re standing around chatting with friends? You probably don’t stand stiff as a board—you lean slightly, bend a knee, and settle into a comfortable stance. That’s exactly what we want for your engagement and wedding photos!
The Secret to Looking Effortless in Photos? It’s All in Your Feet!
The way you distribute your weight can make a huge difference in how natural and flattering your portraits look. Here’s how to do it:
✅ Shift your weight onto the leg furthest from the camera. This instantly softens your stance and makes you look more relaxed.
✅ For the guys: A simple weight shift to the back foot does the trick.
✅ For the ladies: Take it up a notch by bending the knee of your front leg slightly or even popping your heel off the ground. This adds a subtle but beautiful "S-curve" to your posture, creating a naturally elegant look.
🚫 Avoid standing flat-footed with equal weight on both feet—this can make you look stiff and posed instead of effortlessly candid.
This tiny tweak makes a huge impact, helping you look and feel confident in front of the camera. Try it out, and you’ll be amazed at how natural and polished your photos will look! 📸✨
That little pop in her knee makes all the difference!
Bending her knee here also puts them even closer together, making this portrait a bit more romantic!
In this image she is wearing a long dress, but even so that bent leg looks awesome!
Posing Tip #2: Get Close—No Space Allowed!
When you think of love, do you picture two people sitting far apart or cuddled up close? Exactly. Love is about closeness, and your engagement and wedding photos should show that!
The Rule: No Gaps, Just Snuggles!
To create that warm, intimate feel in your photos, make sure you and your fiancé are physically connected in every pose. Here’s how:
✅ Belly buttons touching: If you’re facing each other, make sure there’s no awkward space between your waists—stay snug!
✅ Back-to-chest poses: Lean fully into your partner so your back is resting against their chest (not hovering!).
✅ Side-by-side shots: Hips should be touching or you should be holding hands to maintain that cozy, connected look.
At first, it might feel a little closer than your usual personal space bubble, but trust me—it looks amazing in photos! The more connected you are, the more your images will capture the love and chemistry between you two.
So lean in, snuggle up, and let your love shine through! 📸✨
Having the groom cuddle in nice and close also can produce some natural laughter which always looks more candid than “forced smiles.”
Snuggling in! You can just see the love these two have when he holds her tight!
See how close their bodies are to each other? Even though they are both looking at the camera, the shared love they have is obvious!
Posing Tip #3: Frame Your Face, Not Block It!
Throwing your arms around your partner’s shoulders? Adorable. Snuggling forehead to forehead, eyes closed, soaking in the moment? Pure romance. But here’s a little trick to make these poses look even better on camera!
The Secret to a More Flattering & Natural Look
✅ Drop the arm closest to the camera slightly. This creates a soft, natural bend in your elbow and helps frame your faces instead of blocking them with your upper arm.
✅ Creates a more flattering arm shape. If you’re like me and a little conscious about how your arms look in photos, a slight bend is way more aesthetic than a stiff, straight arm.
✅ Perfect for "lift" poses! If your partner is picking you up during a romantic lift, lowering that camera-side arm will keep the focus on your faces (and your joy!) rather than a fully flexed upper arm.
It’s a small tweak, but trust me—it makes a huge difference in how effortless and beautiful your portraits will look! So snuggle up, relax, and let your love (and your gorgeous face) take center stage. 💕📸✨
Her right hand in this photo is down his arm enough so you can still see the neckline of her gorgeous blouse.
The bend in her elbows make it so you can see their epic kiss!
In this close up, I still had her lower her left arm a bit so that the arm of her jacket didn’t coverup her pretty scarf!
Posing Tip #4: The Secret to a Soft, Romantic Gaze
Want that dreamy, romantic look in your engagement or wedding photos? Instead of fully closing your eyes, let your gaze fall downward toward your shoulder or hand.
Why This Works:
✅ Keeps you from looking asleep – Closed eyes can sometimes read as “nap time” instead of “romantic moment.”
✅ Creates a soft, intimate feel – A slight downward gaze keeps your lashes from fully touching, adding just the right amount of tenderness.
✅ Enhances your angles – Looking slightly downward can naturally tilt your face into a flattering three-quarter profile (one of the best angles for portraits!).
When to Close Your Eyes Fully:
💋 During a kiss (because peeking mid-kiss can get awkward).
🤍 When your foreheads & noses are touching—fully closing your eyes here adds to the intimacy.
👀 To avoid going cross-eyed if your faces are super close!
It’s a small tweak, but it makes a huge difference in capturing those soft, romantic vibes without looking like you’re catching some Zzz’s. ✨📸
Here the bride is letting her gaze fall to her left shoulder.
Here is an example of the groom letting his gaze drop toward her hand which is on his chest.
In this one, his eyes are falling down toward her cheeks, and hers are toward the foliage at their waist.
Posing Tip #5: The Magic of Hands-in-Pockets for Guys
Ever noticed that in almost every men’s fashion magazine, the guys have at least one hand in their pocket? That’s because it just looks better! (Also, let’s be real—guys’ clothing always has way better pockets. Totally unfair. 🙃)
Why This Works:
✅ Looks more natural & effortless – Instead of a stiff, awkward arm hanging at the side, a hand in the pocket adds instant confidence.
✅ Keeps the focus on connection – Most of the time, your hands will be engaged—holding hands, resting on a waist, or pulling each other close. But when one is free? Pocket time!
✅ No special technique required – However your guy normally stands with his hand in his pocket is exactly how he should do it in photos. No overthinking needed!
Pro Tip: If your fiancé naturally stands like this before the session even starts, hype him up—he’s already nailing the posing game! 🎉📸
He looks just like a model in this shot with his hand in his pocket and looking relaxed!
His right hand is resting in his pocket here. It wouldn’t have quite the same look if his arm was just hanging by his side.
Even with his hand in his pocket he’s still showing off that amazing watch!
Bonus Tip: The Post-Kiss Smile That Will Melt Your Heart
Here’s a little secret for capturing the most genuine moment in your photos: After sharing a sweet kiss, don’t rush to pull away—keep your faces close and let that natural “I just kissed my love” smile spread across your lips.
Why This Works:
✅ Captures true intimacy – That moment right after a kiss is filled with pure joy, love, and excitement. It’s one of the most real expressions you’ll share during your session.
✅ Adds a natural, glowing smile – Your post-kiss smile will be effortless and full of happiness. It’s impossible not to light up when you’re still basking in the love!
✅ Genuine emotion – This smile shows the connection and chemistry between you two in the most beautiful, candid way.
Once you’re feeling comfortable and relaxed in front of the camera, try it out! I promise you’ll love how it looks and feels—your smiles will say it all. 💋✨📸
The Kiss Photo.
The Post Kiss Smile
I hope these tips helped boost your confidence and gave you a glimpse of how beautiful and natural your engagement and wedding portraits can be! 📸✨
If you’re ready to book your engagement session or start planning your wedding photography, we’d love to hear from you! Simply click the link below to get in touch—we’re excited to help you capture every unforgettable moment.
I’d love to connect with you about your photography.
