Posing Guide

How to Pose for Pictures

Everyone wants to look their very best in photos, but almost all of us tend to feel decently uncomfortable in front of the camera (literally, almost all of us). There’s something about a camera pointed at one’s face, and suddenly we have no clue what to do with our faces, let alone our immediately unwelcome, unhinged appendages. To help you feel your best going into your photoshoot, and store a few tricks up your sleeve on how to pose for pictures, we have the perfect guide for you! 

Here at Flytographer, we easily connect people with trusted photographers for fun photoshoots and have captured over four million memories worldwide.  The magic of Flytographer is both the experience and the photos. Explore the city with a fun, talented photographer and get wall-worthy photos to relive your trip, forever. We’re going to highlight our best posing tips and ideas to help you ensure that your body language isn’t set to mute and to help you look like the very best version of yourself! 

Photo: Bree in Las Vegas for Flytographer. Arthur and partner capture memories in Las Vegas with an engagement trip photoshoot.

Table of contents

1. Poses for family photoshoots—focusing on interactions with family members will naturally exude love and emotion no matter the ages.
2. Posing with little kids—when little kids are involved, lean into the chaos; cherish cuddles, wiggles, movement, and flexibility!
3. Poses for couples—portrait photography and couples photos go hand in hand, and whether you like more posed or more casual pictures, be prepared for both!
4. Surprise proposal & engagement poses—there is one pose that’s a must: getting down on one knee!
5. Best friend & bachelorette poses—think about linking arms, dancing around, strutting your stuff, playing with accessories, and having FUN!
6. Poses for solo adventures & modern headshots—whether you’re travelling solo, wanting new modern headshots, or just wanting to capture this season in your life, skip the selfies!
7. Beach photoshoot poses—beach photos allow you to really take up physical space—to stretch out, run, and explore—as well as to sit down and snuggle.
8. Feeling good in front of the camera—although we all want to look thinner, wrinkle free, and completely without a care in the world (#superchill), we’re all human… so let’s focus on feeling good!
9. What not to do—remember that uncomfortability shows in lots of ways—whether it’s a too-tight shirt, brand new heels, or a nagging, negative tone.
10. How to pose for pictures FAQs—five of our most common posing questions, answered!

Photo: Marta in Venice for Flytographer. Shivohn and family capture memories in Venice with a family photoshoot.

1. Poses for family photoshoots

If you have family along for your photoshoot ride, you’re in luck! Shoots with family members tend to mean poses that come across as natural, playful, and lighthearted; the distraction of others can help you feel more at ease with little to no effort. There is no need to think to hard about how to pose for pictures! Focusing on your interactions with one another will naturally exude love and pure emotion, no matter the ages of your family members. We encourage adults to focus less on controlling or correcting the moves or posture of others and let your photographer direct—one of the biggest perks of hiring a professional photographer is that this is their job! 

Get Mom Back in the Photo

Photo: Idsara in Phuket for Flytographer. Sheetal and family capture memories in Phuket with a family photoshoot at Surin Beach.

Jump For Joy

Photo: Madison in Jackson Hole for Flytographer. Grace and family capture memories in Jackson Hole with a family photoshoot at Outer Park Road.

Family Photoshoot Pose Inspiration

Cute Family Pose Ideas | Planning Family Photos With Kids| Large Family Photoshoot Tips

2. Posing with little kids

When kids are included, we all know who’s the boss! Kids are the absolute cutest, but they’re generally not professional models, and, frankly, they don’t care about all the effort you put into preparing for your shoot (the nerve!). For natural smiles and awesome pics, don’t worry about following a step-by-step rule book… In fact, we recommend setting the rule book aside! Lean into the chaos. Cherish cuddles, wiggles, movement, and flexibility.

Airplane

Photo: Flytographer in San Diego. Cody and family capture memories in San Diego with a family photoshoot at Windansea Beach in La Jolla.

Kiss Sandwich

Photo: Kari in New York City for Flytographer. Cecilia and family capture memories in New York City with a family photoshoot at Brooklyn Bridge & DUMBO.

Pose Inspiration With Little Kids

Photo Ideas With Your Baby | Cutest Baby Photoshoot Ideas & Poses| Photo Ideas With Your Toddler

3. Poses for couples

Couples time! Portrait photography and couples photos go hand in hand, and whether you like more posed or more casual pictures, be prepared for both! Try not to think too much about how to pose for pictures, your photographer will help guide you along the way. 

Sitting poses are your friend—sitting allows for closeness, intimacy, and lots of smiles. For a full-body photo hack (particularly for a slimming look), lengthen your arms and give your partner a big hug around the neck, or pull the back of their neck toward you. Looking outward toward trees, the sky, a landmark, etc., also helps from those pesky double chin shots! Think: long and lean; dance and sway!

Snuggle Up

Photo: Gerald in Santorini for Flytographer. Carly and partner capture memories in Santorini with a couples photoshoot in Oia Village.

Laugh 

Photo: Gabriel in Seville for Flytographer. Kari and partner capture memories in Seville with a couples photoshoot in Barrio Santa Cruz.

Pose Inspiration For Couples Photoshoots

Couple Photo Ideas | Vacation Poses That Look Natural

4. Surprise proposal & engagement poses

Prepping a surprise proposal? Take a deep breath… and congratulations! 

For a photoshoot that includes a surprise proposal to the love of your life, you likely already have a lot on your mind, so don’t stress too much about how to pose for pictures… That being said, there is one pose that’s a must: getting down on one knee! While you linger on your knee, your Flytographer will be the one getting lots of different angles, ensuring that you both look good. (Good posture seems natural when you’re looking up into the eyes of your future spouse.) After your proposal moment, you’ll have time to get some beautiful engagement poses together, and since emotions are likely high and the tears may be flowing, take this time to get close and savour the emotion, allowing your bodies to absorb and react, and let your photographer do what they do best!

Proposal Moment 

Photo: Nathalie in Tokyo for Flytographer. Vithun and partner capture memories in Tokyo with a proposal photoshoot.

Dance!

Photo: Sehee in New York City for Flytographer. Konstantinos and partner capture memories in New York City with a proposal photoshoot in Central Park.

Proposal & Engagement Pose Inspiration 

Mistakes to Avoid When Proposing | Engagement Photo Ideas | Photo Tips for Proposals

5. Best friend & bachelorette poses

Besties know a thing or two about their best angles, and whether you think you’re photogenic or not, a photoshoot with your best friend(s) means lots of opportunities to get silly and creative and to let loose! For bachelorette and other friends photoshoots, think about linking arms, dancing around, strutting your stuff, playing with accessories (hats, pockets, hair, sunglasses…), and just having FUN! 

Bachelorette Candid

Photo: Jamie in Palm Springs for Flytographer. Jill and friends capture memories in Palm Springs with a bachelorette photoshoot.

Hand in Hand

Photo: Marina in Munich for Flytographer. Haley and friend capture memories in Munich with a friends photoshoot.

Best Friend Pose Inspiration

Bestiemoon Photos | Best Friend Photoshoot 

6. Poses for solo adventures & modern headshots

We love solo photoshoots! Booking a shoot with just you can feel intimidating, and may even seem silly for some, but we can’t recommend it enough! Whether you’re travelling alone or wanting new modern headshots or you just want to capture this season in your life, skip the selfies! For solo shoots, we like to think outside the box  and not rely on traditional portrait photographer moves—no need to just face the camera straight on because options on how to pose for pictures are endless.

Want some solo posing hacks? Bring accessories, utilize pockets, wiggle around lots, and channel your inner wild child by not getting caught up in your own mind. Use your surroundings as your partner—interact and work with benches, walls, rocks, and more!

Use Your Surroundings

Photo: Livushé in Cusco for Flytographer. Ashleah captures memories in Cusco with a solo adventure photoshoot at the Historical Centre.

Anywhere but the Camera

Photo: Karlota in San Juan for Flytographer. Davida captures memories in San Juan with a solo adventure photoshoot in Old San Juan.

Solo Adventure & Modern Headshot Pose Inspiration

Poses for Women | Poses for Men | Professional Headshots

7. Beach photoshoot poses

Is a beach photoshoot on the horizon? We’ve got beach photoshoot pose ideas for you! Remember that your background is the showstopper, so work with it! Beach photoshoots often mean sea breezes, sandy toes, dramatic skylines, and stunning landscape shots. Beach photos allow you to really take up physical space—to stretch out, run, and explore—as well as to sit down and snuggle. Beach photos are perfect for family and multigenerational shoots, and they lend themselves to timeless, beautiful images.

Run through the Water

Photo: Mariana in Tamarindo for Flytographer. Jen and family capture memories in Tamarindo with a family photoshoot at Tamarindo Beach.

Enjoy the Sunset

Photo: Flytographer in Cabo San Lucas. Morgan and partner capture memories in Cabo San Lucas with an anniversary photoshoot on Monumentos Beach.

Beach Photoshoot Pose Inspiration

Flattering Beach Poses | Tips to Have the Best Beach Photoshoot

8. Feeling good in front of the camera

One of the most important things to remember as you prepare for your photoshoot is to relax, embrace this season of life, and enjoy yourself. Although we all want to look thinner, wrinkle free, and carefree (obviously! We always feel super chill about our bodies, right?), we’re all human! Your professional photographer is there to help answer the question on how to pose for pictures but will also help you feel good, capturing you as you are. Natural light, good company, and a great attitude go a long way in making sure not only that you land awesome pics but that the experience is memorable (in a good way), too! We want you to feel good—comfortable, content, and confident.

Enjoy the Moment

Photo: Spyros in Santorini for Flytographer. Vincent and partner capture memories in Santorini with a couples photoshoot in Imerovigli Village.

Walk it Out

Photo: Emma in Tuscany for Flytographer. Lauren and family capture memories in Tuscany with a family photoshoot.

Photoshoot Inspiration to Feel Good in Front of the Camera

Ultimate Guide on How to Look Good in Photos | Travel Photoshoot Tips | How to Have the Perfect Start to Your Photoshoot

9. What not to do

We’ve gone over how to pose for pictures, but what about the things you should not do? Yep, we’ve got those, too!

It’s really important to remember that uncomfortability shows in lots of ways—whether it’s a too-tight shirt, brand new heels, or a nagging, negative tone. Don’t push people to wear things they hate, and don’t take this time to try out new shoes (ouch). We know the time leading up to photos can be super stressful, so try to set aside time in the day/days prior to confirm that you have your outfit details set and hair and makeup ready to go and that you know where you’re going to meet, as well as alternative routes to your meeting point (don’t be late! Running late is a recipe for disaster). Do a dry run of your looks, relax, and let those you’re with get into their own groove, too, without feeling panicked.

Everyone has different approaches to getting their photos taken, whether they’re adults, kids, or friends, so don’t take negative reactions personally. Have something to look forward to after photos (dinner! Treats!), and remember that you hired a pro for a reason! Try to let facial expressions feel natural rather than trendy. Remember: Don’t force unnatural expressions or poses.

Experience the City

Photo: Olga in Paris for Flytographer. Roy and partner capture memories in Paris with a birthday photoshoot at Pont Alexandre III & the Eiffel Tower.

Don’t Forget to Dance

Photo: Allie in Los Angeles for Flytographer. Rebecca and partner capture memories in Los Angeles with a honeymoon photoshoot at Santa Monica Pier.

Style Inspiration

 Style Guide

10. How to pose for Pictures FAQs

How can I pose more confidently?

Confidence comes from the inside, so first off, know that you deserve beautiful photos that you love! We know being in front of the camera can come with some nerves, so we have some practical tips you can try on your next photoshoot. First, prep for success by making sure you (and your crew!) have had something to eat and drink. It’s hard to pose confidently on an empty stomach! Second, wear an outfit you feel amazing and comfortable in. Scratchy fabrics or clothes that don’t fit you properly can be distracting when you’re trying to feel your best. Finally, know that the Flytographer behind the camera is there to help you with your best angles and make sure that the poses feel comfortable for you! If the pose feels off, your photographer can provide helpful tweaks to find your best angles.

How to pose for beginners?

We believe posing is less about holding your body in a certain position and more about creating a moment for your photographer to capture, and that’s why we love candid photos so much! Many people’s first instinct is to hold still when posing for a photo, but we love incorporating movement into photos for the most natural result. After all, humans are built to move! Walking, spinning, hugging, and even running make for genuine, natural moments that feel true to you. And if you’re asking yourself the age-old question, “What do I do with my hands?” Try putting your hand in your pocket or at your waist, slightly bending one knee, or looking back over your shoulder at the camera to add dimension to the photo.

What is the best kind of lighting for a photoshoot?

The “perfect lighting” can look different for every single photoshoot! That’s why we always say trust your Flytographer to know the best timing and backdrops for that glowy, flattering lighting we all know and love. But a few general rules of thumb are:

• Golden hour is usually the best natural light (the hour after the sun rises and the hour before the sun sets)
• Try taking photos in the shade or with the sun behind you to create a soft, even glow
• Avoid facing the direct sun, which creates harsh, unflattering shadows

How can I be more photogenic in photos?

If you look at your favourite photos of your loved ones, we’d be willing to bet that you love them because of who they are, not what they look like. So when you’re planning a photoshoot, know that it’s always worth capturing the beauty of you, just as you are! The unique parts of you are what make you special: your smile, the way your eyes crinkle and sparkle when you laugh, the way your hug is someone’s favourite hug in the world. So stand tall, smile wide and revel in the joy of capturing the magic of love – that’s our definition of photogenic.

What are the best tips for posing?

Don’t be afraid to look silly! Posing for photos is all about experimenting, so don’t be afraid of the most important part of the process: trial and error. Your photographer will help guide you into poses and moments that capture your best self, and they have a vision for every pose they try. And we’ll let you in on a secret: sometimes, they’ll ask you to do something silly, just to help you loosen up and capture your authentic smiles! If you’re feeling nervous about posing, try a few poses in front of the mirror to see what you connect with. Pinterest and Instagram can be great places to find inspiration to have in your back pocket just in case. And remember, you’ve got this!

Have Fun!

Photo: Kelsey in Charleston for Flytographer. Montoya and family capture memories in Charleston with a family photoshoot in the Historic Downtown.

More Movement

Photo: Sehee in NYC for Flytographer. Terblanche and family captures memories in New York City with a family photoshoot at the Brooklyn Bridge.

We can’t wait to capture you on your next Flytographer shoot. See you soon!