Posing Tips & Tricks
It’s not about posing. It’s about bringing the vibe. Let’s get one thing out of the way: I don’t believe in stiff, awkward, prom-style posing.
You didn’t come all this way — planning a day that’s full of soul and intention — just to stand still and “smile for the camera.”
You came to live it.
To breathe it in.
To laugh until your face hurts.
To hold each other like no one else is watching.
That’s what I’m here to photograph. So when people ask me for posing tips, I like to shift the conversation. Because I’m not really interested in “posing” you — I’m interested in directing energy. In helping you feel present. In creating space for you to be fully you — together — so the photos tell the truth of your day. Here’s how we make that happen.
Movement vs Perfection
Instead of placing you in a pose and freezing you there, I’ll guide you into movement. I might say:
“Walk toward me like you’re sneaking out of your own wedding.”
“Wrap your arms around her and sway like you’re slow dancing in your kitchen.”
“Hold hands and spin — but badly.”
“Lean in and tell him your favorite breakfast food like it’s a dirty secret.”
Movement breaks the tension. It melts the nerves. It gets you out of your head and into your body. That’s when the real magic happens — the soft smiles, the belly laughs, the forehead touches that mean something.
Feel Silly? Good. That Means It’s Working.
There’s always a moment — especially early in the shoot — when someone says, “We’re so awkward in front of the camera.” And I always smile, because everyone feels that way at first. The secret? Lean into it. The sillier you feel, the more likely it is that you’ll start laughing — and those are the frames we’ll keep forever. I’ll gently direct you the entire time, but I’ll also give you space to just be yourselves. No pressure to perform. Just presence.
Bring the Vibe You Want to Feel
Want your photos to feel romantic and cinematic? I’ll guide you into slower, softer movements. Think: breathing in close, brushing hair back, letting the moment linger. Want something playful and full of life? We’ll lean into the joy — running, lifting, twirling, dancing. I’ll play music if we need it. I’ll ask questions that pull out real connection. I’ll get you laughing so hard you forget I’m even holding a camera.
Whatever vibe you want your wedding photos to have — I’ll help you live it during the shoot. You just have to show up and trust the process.
Don’t Worry About Your Hands
Seriously. I get asked this every single session. “What do I do with my hands?”
Here’s the trick: your hands want something to do. So I’ll help you:
Tuck her hair behind her ear
Hold onto his jacket
Rest your hand over her heart
Grab their hand and run like you’re five seconds late to something fun
Hands have emotion in them — and when they’re doing something intentional, the whole image feels more alive.
Trust Me to Watch the Details
Part of my job is making sure you look good — the light, the angles, the movement, the way your dress or suit is sitting. I’m always watching. Adjusting. Guiding. So you? You don’t have to worry about a thing. Just be in the moment. Hold each other. Talk, laugh, be close. I’ll take care of the rest.
Bonus Tip: You Don’t Need to “Perform”
You don’t have to be a model. You don’t have to “act natural.” You just have to be together. The most beautiful images don’t come from nailing a pose. They come from the space between — the moments where you forget about the lens, and remember why you’re here. That’s where your story lives. And that’s exactly what I’m here to capture.
Looking For Your Wedding Photographer?
I’m Alex Christensen — Southern California-based wedding and couples photographer, storyteller, and quiet moment collector. If you're dreaming of honest, artful images that feel like you, I’d love to help tell your story.