POSING TIPS FOR COUPLES.

I,m often asked how do you get such relaxed looking pictures of people. There is so much to think about when taking pictures like camera settings and do I need fill flash, Or will I need the reflector for this picture. Then of course there is the background to think about, no one wants a lamp post coming out the center of the head, So I thought I would put together this small posing sample.

I used my son and his girlfriend they are not models and in fact like most males my son is very reluctant to have pictures taken. The location a small open space near my home. The lens used was a standard 50mm F1.8 .

Here they  are just standing holding hands

Let try relaxing them by asking them to step apart a little

Lets getting them facing each other and looking towards me

Now ask them to look at each other and hug.

Now lets move in close and get Sarah to look at me.

Make use of your location to add interest to the pictures...

My sons arm would have been far better wrapped round Sarah yet he felt comfortable with this pose so its best not to push and make a person feel uncomfortable...

Lets come in close so the picture feels a little more romantic...

Lets move them slightly to make them look more comfortable..

Take a few images as we move down the field a little ,capture them unaware..

Having a little informal chat can mean you get a great capture..

Just observing your clients for a second or two can mean capturing their real personalities 

No couples photo session would be complete if you didnt get that kiss....

Thank you for viewing my blog do please leave a comment you can find me on facebook or contact me via my website. The couple I used here to show how to take better images of your  loved ones or friends are not models, They are just regular every day teens. I decided to use these two to demonstrate posing for the simple reason they dont know how to pose. Being a photographer is not just about clicking the shutter button but relaxing your clients and being able to make them feel comfortable so they come away with great pictures

WHAT IS A LIFESTYLE PORTRAIT

This is a question I am asked frequently. How do I explain Lifestyle portraits or Lifestyle sessions as I like to call them.

Well for a start its a photo session, Its not in a cramped hot studio but at a location of your choice

Your choice could be your back garden, A local park, a meadow, a beach, a place you like to walk, or some where special to you, maybe the place you first met your loved one, maybe some where that just has sentimental value to you, any where you feel relaxed.

So ok we are now in the great outdoors the best studio in the world with wonderful natural light, Giving you or your children gentle light and tones to your skin rather then the forced flash in a studio

You have room to move around, maybe go for a walk or have a look at the lake, hold hands or play BOO around a tree, maybe you just want to sit for a while, or run and jump,

Lifestyle aims to capture the true you, your true family, the cheeky look your child may give you when he wants to play chase. The surprise on your partners face as you swing her round in your arms. The subtleness of a cuddle or a gentle kiss.

Where children are involved we can play at flying a kite or chasing bubbles, Its great to get dad involved as well, nothing beats an image of dad throwing his child up above his shoulders, or the tenderness of mums gentle cuddle.

Now the days are getting longer how about some nice early evening images taken walking hand in hand along the shore line, a romantic kiss as the sun goes down, lots of couples like to have these session.

So what does Lifestyle mean, well I would say capturing the true person, capturing the love shared not just by husband and wife, but by mother and child, father and child, the most important aspect of your family, the tenderness and love you share

My session aim to give you image your cherish time and time again, they wont be posed there certainly wont be any forced smiles, each image will give a true representation of the person at that moment in time

As Lifestyle session are relatively new to the UK Andrea;s photographer is offering a 10% discount on the session fee as well as a free 7"x5.5" paperback book of images from the session. All you need to do is book your lifestyle session before the end of May 2010, To find out how to book and to see a small sample of lifestyle images from babies to adults please visit my website