Wow, it’s been a while since I have posted anything on here. So let’s reintroduce ourselves! I will go first…
Hi! I’m Jeannine, a wedding and lifestyle photographer in Pittsburgh, PA. Welcome, welcome! Say ‘hi’ in the comments.
Trying a new thing on this page so it’s more than just the pretty pictures of real wedding days, engagements and families. More of those to come since I have weddings from way back in 2020 to share still. But I want it to be a resource for clients and share tips/tricks with all of you that could make getting your photo taken a little bit easier. I know we don’t get in front of the camera as often as we like but we all love the results once we do! And when it comes to weddings, there are so many helpful tips and tricks to make sure you are getting the most out of your photography coverage.
I’ve decided to start a 5 Tips Series. I plan to share topics like ‘5 Things Your Groom Should Know Before the Wedding’, ‘5 Things You Wouldn’t Expect in My Camera Bag’ and ‘5 Details I Love Shooting the Most’. So here goes nothing! First up…
To pose or not to pose
I find that couples will mention wanting ‘candid shots’. Meaning the fun, laughing shots that you see a lot of when you search #engagementsession on Instagram. But *spoiler alert* - these are usually posed with prompts. Most couples aren’t skipping around Mellon Park on their own. True candid shots would be having your photographer hang back, no prompting, and document the couple as they interact naturally. There are absolutely photographers out there that rock this style. However, that isn’t how I operate and I find that most couples need direction to achieve the ‘candid’ vibe they are envisioning. We can create natural moments by giving you a prompt or an action! It makes couples stop thinking ‘Omg, I have a camera in my face’ and start thinking ‘Ok, I can walk and hold hands!’. I prefer to mix those types of shots in with the traditional poses too. Those are the shots that parents and grandparents always prefer. I guess they really just want to see your smiling faces :)
Here are some poses to try that will mix in candid prompts with classic smile shots.
Sneak up on Each Other
Pretend your hips are glued together
Piggyback Partners
Snuggly Prom Cuddles (then while they are here, ask them to look right at the camera and smile. This one is for the parents to hang on the wall)
You dip, I dip, we dip!
Have fun trying these out with your couples! It’s to get a pulse on how comfortable each couple is with different poses. It makes working with them on the wedding day that much easier!
