For photographers | My 5 go-to posing prompts for couples sessions
No more awkward cheesing at the camera! Bye awkward prom pose!
The best way to get genuine reactions and emotions from your couples? Prompts. Some are funny, some are sweet - all keep it fun & interactive. Use these 5 posing prompts during your next couples session or engagement session, and I promise, your clients will feel so much more comfortable & at ease during the shoot!
#1
walking hip checks
It’s all about the movement! I love this prompt (and many variations of it) because just plain walking can get stale after a while.
Have your couple either link arms, put their arms around each other, or simply hold hands and do dramatic hip checks while they walk towards and away from you.
#2
trace faces
This one gets you up close & personal. Have your couple wrap up face to face (either standing or sitting, but I usually opt for standing and wrapping up really close).
Then, tell them to take turns tracing the other person’s entire face with their nose.
It can go one of two ways - a sweet, quiet & intimate moment, or they’ll be laughing at their crazy attempts. Win-win!
#3
airplane
Start with wrapping each other up back-to-front (aka non-awkward prom pose style).
They’ll grasp hands out at their sides, and then tell them to slowly “airplane”their arms in until they’re all wrapped up.
Aka final position should be cozied up / arms in a pretzel. Keep repeating over and over!
BONUS: While they’re doing this pose, have them whisper “I love you” to each other in the craziest accent they can come up with. Genuine laughs always follow :)
#4
loving football tackle
Obsessed with this prompt - some people go ALL out and others are super gentle with their tackles.
Basically, have them stand a few feet apart and one person will sneak up from behind the other - preferably in a run.
Tell them beforehand that they can tackle their partner, pick them up and steal them away, or really whatever they want to do once they reach them!
So many results, and always a fun one!
#5
rapidfire kisses
For quieter moments, I love using the “kiss your favorite part of their face” prompt. They might surprise each other, which is even better. Sitting, wrapped up face-to-face, etc - it works for all poses.
For sillier reactions, use the “rapidfire kisses” prompt. I usually have them wrap up in non-awkward prom pose for this one (aka snuggled up back-to-front). Tell the person in the back to give their partner kisses as fast as they possibly can either just on the temple, or all the way from temple to shoulder.
BONUS:
cheesy rom-com reunion scene
First, I always ask if the couple watches rom-coms (I mean, don’t we all?)
Then, tell them to picture that they’re in a rom-com together. They’re in an airport during a super dramatic, cheesy scene where they’re about to reunite after a super long time. Then, tell them to run towards each other (from like 10+ feet apart) and act out that reunion scene!
Ready for even more inspiration?
the Couples Session Prompts & Posing Guide is now available!
Say goodbye to stiff, stagnant poses during your sessions. This digital PDF guide includes my full list of go-to prompts for couples sessions and weddings.
Use these 25+ tried & true prompts to get your clients moving & comfortable with interacting in front of the camera!
