Learn to create intimate pictures of couples through this guide with 15 tips and tricks for couples photography or an Engagement Session
Photographing couples can be intimidating especially when you first start out, but it doesn’t have to be! Over the years I have captured many couples in front of my lens and have learned a lot during my photography journey. I’m happy to share some of my tips and ideas for couples photography that I notice helps me tremendously when capturing my couple’s connections in the best way.
Couples photography can be one of the most fun and exciting forms of photography, whether you’re photographing a cute couple, an engagement session, unique wedding photos of the bride and groom portraits, or an anniversary session for a husband and wife! Following my tips and tricks it can help you become that confident couples photographer I know you can be!
Couples Photography
Before even getting to the session there are things you can do with/for your couple that will help make you both more comfortable and confident going into your session.
1– What to Wear: Wardrobe is essential to bringing a couples photoshoot together. Now I don’t think it’s best to tell your clients what you want them to wear, but instead give them inspiration, suggestions, and lead them in the direction that will help the photos come together.
2- Confidence for the couples photoshoot: For me, I always tell my clients to wear something that they feel confident and comfortable in and that coordinates well together. I ask them how they would normally dress and what do they envision for their session. Once I get their thoughts, I gather ideas for them and give them my suggestions through photo inspiration and written ideas. I notice my clients like when I give them visual examples because it shows them how a particular session came to life thanks to the wardrobe selections.
3- Questionnaire: Besides wardrobe I also like to give them a questionnaire. This helps me gather information about them not only to get to know them better, but also to use to my advantage during their photo session. I also think it’s a nice way to break the ice and show them that I care about more than just being their photographer. You can gather many different ideas about questionnaires online but try to be different and ask unique questions along with the basics.
Now that you know their outfits will be on point, and you know them a little better, let’s talk about the session itself.
4- Photoshoot Expectations: Prior to the session you may have already spoke to your clients about the things you will do during your session to ensure that they feel comfortable. That is great, but I would suggest reiterating some of those things when you meet for their session. Remind them that they will be directed and that you will make sure all looks good as you go. This will help them relax and trust in your creative eye more.
5- Notice the Details: I stay very observant during the couples session, if someone’s t-shirt is messed up, hair looking goofy, or someone’s posture is off, I will make sure to correct those small issues as I go so that I can avoid extra editing, or an unhappy client.
6- Show off their cute couple poses: Take a moment or two throughout the session to share a few photos from the back of your camera. I personally think that clients love seeing how they are looking, and it even gives you a boost of confidence when they get excited and compliment how they look even before you edit them! It also gives them the opportunity to tell you if they may not like something in particular, and this will help you correct that before moving on.
Intimate Pictures of Couples
7- Getting Started: Now you’re ready to start, but where do you even begin?! For me, I LOVE the candid moments where your clients show true emotion/connection. You may be wondering, how in the heck do I get them to be natural like that?! Well, besides all the hundreds of Pinterest ideas you probably have saved, think about that questionnaire and use it to your benefit.
8- Cute Picture Poses for Couples: I usually start my clients off snuggled together smiling at the camera, and then from there I direct them in such a way that will help them be more natural and in turn create more genuine responses.
9- Photo Pose Prompt Ideas: Whether I have them look at one another, kiss, whisper something cute or funny into each other’s ears, etc, I always have an idea of what I want to happen when I prompt/direct them. I usually get some sweet reactions when I incorporate something I learned from their questionnaire – like asking them to remind each other of a special memory they have of when they first met. Once you get them interacting with each other it’ll be easier to direct them from there.
Cute Picture Poses for Couples
10- Unique Poses: Another important piece that I hope you all will do moving forward if you don’t already – have FUN and think outside of the box! A lot of my work shows my couples interacting in fun, outgoing ways, and I always let my clients know ahead of time I might ask them to do some running or jumping, maybe even get in the ocean if their session is at the beach so they’re prepared to get silly.
11- Know your couple: Some clients may not be as adventurous and that’s okay! You can still get some great shots just by having them do cute things like lick each other’s nose, or whisper in her ear your favorite vegetable in your sexiest voice. Not everything has to be about movement and huge smiles, but the more comfortable you get your clients the easier it is for them to do some of the more fun stuff that will help create those candid/genuine interactions.
12- Communicate Clearly: While you are directing them to a new position, make sure to be specific and direct them in a way that is easily understood. This will help make it easier for them to follow along and do things naturally. For instance, “Walk hand-in-hand away from me while looking out at the ocean, and then looking at each other.” I will then start to follow my clients as they walk away, soon enough I’ll ask one of them to slow down while the other leads, and ask one or both of them to look back at me, at each other, etc. I will usually even ask them to run together away or towards me. All of this helps gather great shots, movement, and genuine interactions.
13- Use variety! As I’ve grown into my style, I have realized that not every photo needs to be so up-close and personal. I’ve learned to take a step back and really capture the moment as a whole.
14- Details for the Couple: You definitely don’t want to forget about the details such as hands, rings, close-ups, etc, but also use your environment to your benefit as well. Getting different angles and incorporating something interesting such as fairy lights, a crystal, bushes, trees, etc, could add that extra flare to some of your images. If you have a chance to get creative, do it! Your clients might look at you funny when you ask them to get in the water (at a beach session) or spin a million times until you get that perfect shot, but they’ll appreciate the outcome so much.
15- Aim for the BEST: All of these tips combined with your expertise with truly help bring your couples photography to life! Be observant, think outside of the box, and remember – communication is key! The better you communicate with your clients before, during and after their session the better the session will be and the better outcome you all will have. Please feel free to use my examples as inspiration and reach out to me personally if you have any questions!
Courtney Garbow – WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
Age 29 – Aries baby – Located in Naples, FL, but my heart is in Michigan – Enjoys traveling to capture love in all different places! Loves love and everything that has to do with it! The Notebook is my favorite movie. Beyond blessed to be alive doing what I love and making people happy with what I create!
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