30 Natural Couples’ Poses for Pictures That Don't Scream *Prom*
It is a universally acknowledged truth that everyone wants to look better in pictures. But what about couples’ poses? You know how to pose yourself, but what happens when you’ve got a sidekick? Well, as a portrait photographer, I’ve photographed plenty of couples over the years and can share a thing or two about how to nail a photoshoot that doesn’t scream prom. Yeah, no cheesy arms-around-the-waist-from-behind shenanigans. Here, I’ll break down six base poses with five iterations each, for a total of 30 couples’ poses you can bring to your next photo sesh to keep things fun, fresh and natural.
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1. Face to Face
1. Friendly Hand Hold
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From “base pose,” clasp hands with your partner, letting your arms rest at your sides. Remember, don’t interlace your fingers—this creates the dreaded “slug” effect. Instead, opt for “Lego” hand holding, as illustrated above. Once you’re in this pose, there are tons of iterations: touch foreheads and smile, kiss (!), go cheek-to-cheek and smile at the camera or share a laugh.
2. Show the Ring
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Building on the previous pose, you can do what I call “show the ring.” As shown above, you give your partner a strategic hug so your hand can show off the jewelry. (It also works as an iteration of pose number one; just bring your hands up to about shoulder height.) This makes for a great “detail shot” if your photographer gets an up-close photo of your hand.
3. The Big Hug
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Self-explanatory, right? Just hug each other. It’s guaranteed to bring a fit of giggles that will showcase a natural joy in front of the camera.
4. The Notebook
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OK, you know the scene I’m talking about: Noah and Allie in the rain sharing a passionate kiss. If PDA isn’t your thing, don’t worry. You can still take a page from the lovebirds. Just bring your hand up to your partner’s jawline and eskimo kiss.
5. The Fairytale
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Whether it’s a princess movie or a rom-com, I’ve sure you’ve seen it somewhere. (Oftentimes) it’s the girl running to the guy, and he sweeps her into his arms and spins her around. As illustrated above, you can do this from the “face to face” base pose. My tip: When lifting your partner, scoop them up from under their bottom. It’ll be more comfortable for them than if you grab the middle of their spine, and easier for you to hold them up. Don’t be afraid to do a couple practice runs before the shutter fires.
2. Friendly Bisection
1. Just Hangin’ On
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Once in the “base pose,” this variation can go two ways. First, one partner can lean on the other and drape their arms over them. Or one partner can stand facing the camera with their hands in their pockets, while the other partner holds onto their arm.
2. The Tent Flap
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If one partner is taller than the other, you can try the “tent flap.” The taller of the two will simply drape their arm over the shorter partner.
3. The Chest Sandwich
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Most people have probably done this at least once, and if you haven’t, you’ve seen other people do it. From the base pose, one partner puts their hand on the other’s chest. Variation comes with the heads: Look at each other, look at the camera or one partner can put their head on the other’s shoulder.
4. The Side Hug
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From the base pose, the partner who is standing slightly behind the other can lean over to give them a hug.
5. The Kiss
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Who kisses who is up to you. Share it or one can give the other a sweet little peck on the cheek.
3. The Backwards V
1. Temple to Temple
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Once you’re in the base pose, turn in towards each other and the camera, so that your temples are touching.
2. The Backwards Hug
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Just as it sounds. Put your arms around each other and turn in towards each other, looking over your shoulder towards the camera. You can also play around with more candid gestures, as shown above.
3. Nose to Temple
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Also pretty self-explanatory. This pose works well if the taller partner puts their nose to the shorter partner’s temple, while the latter looks at the camera.
4. Peck on the Cheek
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This pose is a natural segue from the previous one. Go ahead and give them a little smack on the cheek.
5. The Kiss
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...And let pose number four evolve into this.
4. The Bear Hug
1. Look into Their Eyes
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The partner in front who is getting bear hugged just turns their neck to look at their partner.
2. Eskimos
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And once you’re in that position, touch noses.
3. Mug for the Camera
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Alternately, you can both just smile at the camera. This comes off most natural if the person doing the hugging “surprises” their partner, so the photographer can capture a candid reaction.
4. Nose to Temple
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Either partner can do this while the other looks at the camera. Other places to direct your gaze: the sky, the ground or over your shoulder.
5. The Sneak Attack
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Similar to pose number three, the sneak attack involves one partner coming up and hugging the other from behind without warning. This will usually produce natural smiles, laughs and gestures that look fun.
5. Sit Down
1. The 50/50
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Ever wondered why every Vanity Fair group photo looks legendary? It’s because the photographers use levels, or the strategy of having their subjects do a combination of sitting, standing and leaning. The goal is to have people at different heights create shapes in the overall photo that direct the eye towards through the image. In your next photo, try having your partner sit while you stand (or vice versa). If you both prefer to sit, use props to stagger your levels. For example. if you’re sitting on stairs, sit on different ones.
2. The Cleopatra
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I call this the Cleopatra because I just imagine the queen reclining on a lounge chair while someone fans her with a palm leaf. Essentially, one partner sits while the other reclines diagonally.
3. Lean on Me
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If you sit side-by-side, one of you can lean on the other person’s shoulder. This should produce some candid interaction and smiles, while also incorporating levels.
4. Friendly Bisection: Sitting Edition
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Similar to the other base pose, one partner can tuck themselves slightly behind the other while you’re both sitting down.
5. Lay Down
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Or skip sitting upright altogether. You can lay down side-by-side and touch noses. Or, each person can lay on the ground on their back in opposite directions. From there, rest your head on the other person’s shoulder (as shown above).
6. Get Moving
1. Take a Walk
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My pro tip for great walking photos that don’t make your feet look awkward is to pretend that you’re walking on a tightrope and do it slowly. Trust me, your legs will look great and elegant.
2. Dance
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Natural, fun, relaxing and sure to produce genuine smiles.
3. Swim
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At the pool or the beach? Get wet. Go swimming, splash, throw someone into the pool, ride your floaties together. Make use of the endless props.
4. Play
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Bring out your inner child. Bounce on a trampoline. Go roller skating. Just have fun while your photographer uses burst mode on your phone camera.
5. Cook
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OK, if you’re not much of a chef, the real theme of this posing strategy is to find an activity to do together that occupies your hands and allows you to interact naturally. Sip your milkshakes in unison. Read your books side-by-side. Play chess.
