Posing and Body Language: Part 1
As a young woman, I attended art school because I love to see the beauty in the things around us and wanted to express myself. But ultimately, I got a degree in psychology. Years later as a photographer, I find that there are times these schools of art and science work together, like when we want to show emotion and relationship in portraits.
People give subliminal cues about how they’re feeling or their mood through body language. So it’s important to understand body poses/movements and facial expressions in order to convey feeling through photography.
In this three-part article, I’ll share with you my posing guidelines with body language in mind. First, let’s look at posing for couples.
Part 1: Couples’ Body Language
How you pose tells a lot about you as a couple. When couples pose together, in an engagement session for example, there are certain things that convey positive, connected body language and make the photos so much better
Hips together
Feet pointing toward each other
Heads leaning in toward one another
Leaning on one another
Touching or holding each other
The main thing to keep in mind is that couples should have two or three points of contact. Hands, heads, legs, arms, hips, lips, legs, are all potential points of contact options.
Just as physical closeness can convey emotional intimacy, bodies leaning away from one another, can unwittingly convey emotional distance. This is particularly true when heads tilt away from one another or bodies lean in opposite directions.
I may break these rules sometimes because it’s fun once you know them. But know the best practices first.
Interested in knowing more about couple’s portrait sessions? Contact me