1.

Pov


This pose is less about the pose itself and more about getting to see yourself from your loved one’s perspective. There are so many fun ways to get into this position, which also gives me plenty of opportunities to move around and capture lots of dynamic angles.


I think there’s something incredibly beautiful about getting to see yourself the way the person who loves you sees you. This prompt almost always carries a little more emotion than people expect.

 

Bride in white dress framing a man holding a child in a lush green field, captured in a romantic outdoor wedding photo.
Blurred pregnant woman in burgundy top and white skirt stands in golden hour park with couple embracing in background.
Smiling woman in pink dress with flowing hair walks outdoors near lush green trees at dusk.

 

2.

Walk


This one isn’t really a pose or even a prompt. A lot of my sessions naturally involve walking to and from different spots, and sometimes I’ll have you hang back while I get in front of you. Other times, I’ll hang behind and let you lead the way.


My biggest piece of advice for these photos is to stay connected somehow. Bump into each other as you walk, hold hands, swing your toddler through the air, brush shoulders, or just glance at each other every once in a while. You don’t have to constantly look at the camera or even do anything particularly “photogenic.” Just stay close and keep moving.


This gives me so many opportunities to move around you and capture the little moments from different angles.

 

A couple holds hands and smiles at each other in a lush garden in front of a red brick colonial home.
Family walking through lush green park, parents swinging young child between them in motion-blurred outdoor scene.
Tattooed pregnant woman in blue crop top and white skirt holds hands with bearded man in field.

 

3.


Princess spin


Just a fun little spin, literally.


This one always adds a few playful photos to the gallery. There’s so much room for movement, different angles, and fun perspectives, and it’s an easy way to break things up and bring a little more energy into the session.

 

A family dances together in a sunlit park at golden hour, with parents holding their child outdoors.
Couple dancing on a wooden arched bridge in a lush green garden, bride in white dress, groom in white shirt.
A smiling young woman in a pink dress laughs joyfully outdoors near a willow tree with a green pond backdrop.

 

4.

Run


One person stands still while the other person, or people, run toward them. It’s such a simple prompt, but it almost always brings out the biggest, most genuine laughs.


It gives me lots of opportunities for fun perspectives and movement, and it usually ends in a big hug, which makes for some of the sweetest photos too. It’s one of those prompts that feels more like playing than posing, and that’s exactly why I love it.

 

A woman in a pink dress reaches toward a smiling man in a lush green park at golden hour sunset.
A family poses outdoors with parents holding a baby while two young children approach them in a lush green setting.
A child runs toward two adults on a lush green lawn surrounded by trees at golden sunset hour.

 

5.

Lets sit


This is one of my FAVVVVS.


I’ll usually have everyone sit down on the grass or a blanket, but sometimes we’ll find somewhere else to get cozy. I’ll tell you to sit the way you naturally would on the couch or at a picnic, get comfortable, and settle in.


Once everyone is cozy, I’ll give you a few little prompts and poses to work through while you’re sitting. I love these because they feel so relaxed and natural, and they give me a chance to capture all the little interactions that happen when you’re simply comfortable together.

 

Couple sitting closely on a stone bridge at dusk, surrounded by lush green trees, sharing a romantic moment.
Black and white photo of a happy family with parents laughing with their baby in a grassy outdoor field.
A young woman with red hair reads a book with a curly-haired toddler on a blanket outdoors at golden hour.

 

6.


Lay down


This prompt usually comes right after sitting, and it’s one I mostly use with couples. I’ll have you cuddle up like you would if you were laying under the stars together, sometimes with one person resting their head on the other’s chest while I guide you into a quick kiss.


Other times, I’ll just tell you to get cozy and let you decide what feels natural. You might lay together like you’re cuddling at home before bed, stretch out next to each other and look at the clouds, or come up with your own little vibe.


I love this prompt because it can turn into so many different moments, and there’s something about laying down that instantly makes a photo feel more intimate and editorial. It’s one of those poses that somehow makes everyone look like a model.

 

Romantic couple kissing outdoors, lying on lush green grass in a tender embrace during a sunny day.
Couple relaxing in a sunlit forest meadow at golden hour, woman smiling down at man lying on grass.
A couple lies peacefully on a blanket outdoors, the woman resting her head on the man's chest in a serene embrace.

 

7.


Dips & kiss


This one is especially fun for engagement sessions. Most couples are planning to do a dip at their wedding, so I love giving them a chance to practice it during their session.


There are so many ways to make the dip feel like you. Sometimes I’ll have one person throw their head back and laugh, sometimes I’ll have them go in for a kiss, and sometimes I’ll just let them play around with it and see what happens.


Every couple brings their own personality to this one, which is what makes it so much fun.

 

Couple sharing a romantic dip kiss on a stone path in a lush green park at dusk, woman in rust dress.
Couple sharing a romantic dip kiss on a wooden bridge surrounded by lush green trees in a serene garden setting.
A couple dancing romantically in a lush green forest, the man dipping the woman gracefully.

 

8.

Cup her face


This is something I do a few times throughout almost every session, whether you’re sitting or standing. It’s one of my favorite ways to have people naturally interact with each other because it feels intimate without feeling overly posed.


Sometimes I’ll have you hold the charm on your necklace, cup the other person’s face, or “fix” their hair. They’re all really simple little movements, but they give your hands something to do and create those small, natural moments of connection.


It’s a pretty basic pose, but it’s classic for a reason.

 

A smiling man in sunglasses and white shirt sits with a woman in a white dress on green grass.
A man tenderly touches a smiling pregnant woman's face while she cradles her baby bump outdoors in a lush green park.
A joyful woman laughs as a man gently touches her face outdoors with lush green trees in the background.

 

9.


Tag


One person runs while the other chases after them, with both of you reaching your hands toward each other and looking at one another as you run.


I’ll usually have couples and families do this a few times so I can move around and capture it from lots of different angles and compositions. It’s playful, full of movement, and gives us some really fun photos that feel completely different from the more intimate, still moments.

 

A smiling couple in white attire runs through a lush green lawn surrounded by trees at dusk.
Black and white photo of a family walking outdoors at sunset, woman in white skirt smiling back at camera.
A joyful couple holds hands and dances barefoot on green grass surrounded by lush trees outdoors.

 

10.


Do your own thing


At every session, there are moments when I stop posing and let things breathe. These are usually some of my favorite photos, and often my clients’ favorites too.


These are the photos that can’t really be recreated by anyone else. I can’t pose them or manufacture them. They come from you feeling comfortable enough to forget about the camera for a minute and just be yourselves.


As the session goes on, I find myself prompting less and less. By the end, most couples have a pretty good idea of the kinds of things I’m looking for, so I can step back and let them enjoy their time together. Sometimes that means playing with your kids, wandering around, cuddling, laughing, or simply doing whatever feels natural in the moment.


This works especially well with families and children, but I love it just as much with couples. Some of the best photos happen when I stop telling you what to do and just let you be you.

 

Children laughing and playing together on a wooden bridge surrounded by lush green trees outdoors.
Family wading in a rocky shallow creek surrounded by lush green trees, with children playing near the water's edge.
A woman kisses a smiling baby girl wearing a floral crown and green dress outdoors.