Posing the Wedding Party
Before we jump into posing, I want to explain why I'm writing all of this down.
Photography is an art, and every photographer has their own style. This guide isn't here to take away your creativity or tell you there's only one right way to do things. It's here to help you build a strong foundation. The little details, like hand placement, lighting, backgrounds, and posing, are what separate a good image from a great one. Once those details become second nature, you'll have the confidence and freedom to be creative while still delivering a consistent experience for every Fresh Feature couple.
Clothing
The little things matter.
Guys' jackets should never have the bottom button buttoned. If you catch it, fix it or talk to them about it.
Standing = Top button only.
Sitting = Jacket unbuttoned.
Boutonnieres go on the left lapel of the jacket, almost even with the collarbone.
The bride's veil should almost always go over the shoulder closest to the camera during formal portraits. It frames her face better and keeps the veil from getting lost behind her.
Formal Posing
Hand position matters. It can make a polished image look intentional or make it feel sloppy.
When doing formal wedding party pictures, make sure the guys are all doing the same thing. Either everyone has a hand in their pocket or everyone has their left hand over their right with closed fingers ("fists"). Consistency is key.
When taking the one-on-one formal picture of each person with the bride or groom, they should be standing next to each other and turned slightly toward one another.
Guys
Hands should either be:
Left over right with closed fingers ("fists")
In pockets
Position them on the same line. Don't put one slightly in front of the other.
No side hugs for formal shots for the guys. EVER!
Girls
Flower height matters. Either match the bride's bouquet height or make sure all the girls are holding theirs at the same height. Nothing looks tackier than bouquets floating around at different levels.
Specifically Hugs
Jackets need to be unbuttoned before a hug. Otherwise you'll get bunching in the jacket, and it doesn't photograph well.
Never, NEVER let someone put their hands on another person's shoulders where all you can see are fingertips sticking out behind their neck.
It's distracting.
It isn't flattering.
It doesn't look professional.
For both guys and girls, hugs should stay around the waist and only be during casual pictures. Nothing formal.
Feet Matter
People rarely think about feet, but they make a huge difference in how natural someone looks.
Everyone should stand on their back foot and lightly rest on the front foot.
For the guys:
Point the resting foot toward the photographer.
For the girls:
Turn the resting foot slightly forward, but not all the way.
A slight bend in the knee looks great.
Stretching the front leg out works too.
Try both and see which flatters your subject the most.
Composition
Watch where you crop.
Never cut at a joint.
If you have the time, every pose should include these three images:
Full body
¾ body
Tight portrait
Even better if you capture both vertical and horizontal versions.
When doing the walking prompt, put one or two people in front of the bride, groom, or couple so they have someone to naturally look toward.
Absolutely no back-of-the-head pictures for the lead person.
Watch your horizon. People's heads should either be above the horizon line or below it. DON'T split their head with the horizon.
And don't take tilted pictures. Period. Keep your camera level unless you have a very intentional creative reason not to.
Lighting
Lighting can make or break a photograph.
Green color cast is bad. I don't want to fix that in editing!
If you're photographing people outside, avoid putting them in areas where grass is reflecting green light back into their faces. Whenever possible, place them on a sidewalk, dirt road, gravel, concrete, or another neutral surface.
If you can't avoid the grass, use your light.
When you're indoors, use windows to your advantage.
Guys' portraits usually look better with a moodier feel. Look for darker backgrounds and side lighting. If you have cool chairs, interesting architecture, lamps, or other unique elements around you, don't be afraid to incorporate them.
Details
Don't forget the small details. Those are often some of the most meaningful photographs from the day.
Groom Details
Capture:
Hands adjusting the tie (mostly no face, lips are fine)
Watch and hands
Shoes
Shoe tying from the side (hands and feet only)
Have him smile for a few, then give you a serious expression. Both are good.
Bride Details
Pay attention to the little things.
Does she have:
A special bracelet?
A meaningful necklace?
A charm on her bouquet?
A family heirloom?
Don't just photograph the whole person. Capture close-up detail shots that tell the story.
Backgrounds
Don't put your subjects directly against a wall, treeline, building, or any other background. Pull them away as much as comfortably possible. That extra separation creates depth and gives your image a much more professional look.
Look for interesting backgrounds that add to the image, not distract from it. Pretty buildings, bridges, textures, leading lines, and unique architecture all make great backdrops.
Longer focal lengths make it much easier to create beautiful background blur. Whenever possible, pull your subject away from the background and zoom in. Keep your subject tack sharp while letting the background melt away.
Blurry backgrounds are prettier and naturally draw your viewer's eye to your subject.
Thank you
I know it has taken some time to read through this guide. I know it's a lot of information, and I truly appreciate your willingness to learn and grow.
When you're photographing for Fresh Feature, I ask that you follow these guidelines so every client receives the consistent experience and quality they've come to expect from our brand. Outside of Fresh Feature, I encourage you to experiment, try new techniques, and continue developing your own creative style. That's one of the best ways to grow as a photographer, and I never want you to lose what makes your work unique.
Master the fundamentals first. Once they become second nature, you'll have the confidence and freedom to be creative while still delivering the polished experience that Fresh Feature is known for.
Most of all, thank you for being part of the Fresh Feature team. I'm always excited to have talented photographers beside me who genuinely care about our couples and want to create an incredible experience for them. I'm grateful you're on this journey with me, and I can't wait to see how you continue to grow.
