Posing? What is that? | A photoshoot guide | Seattle, North Carolina, Arizona

Why I Don’t Really “Pose” People — I Direct Them

Posing is something I’ve never felt like I’m particularly great at. For a long time, I’d watch other photographers effortlessly guide people into the perfect angles and think, how do they do that?

But recently, someone told me, “You’re really good at giving direction.” And something about that clicked.

Oh… it’s direction I’m good at.

I might not be the kind of photographer who memorizes dozens of poses, but I can get people into a position and then direct them based on how they look through my camera. That’s my sweet spot. Once I get someone into one pose, I can usually get on a roll… shifting them slightly, guiding their movement, adjusting their hands, making tiny tweaks that bring everything to life.

To be totally real with you, when I try to pose someone from scratch, my brain kind of goes blank. I’ll sometimes pull up a guide before a session just to jog some ideas, but what makes the magic happen is the real-time direction.

I Always Ask My Clients How They Feel

One thing that’s super important to me is checking in. I like to ask my clients how they feel in a pose. If something doesn’t feel right in their body, I want them to move. I will never force someone to stay in a position that feels uncomfortable or stiff.

Because the truth is, when people feel uncomfortable you can see it in the photos. But when they feel relaxed and safe? That’s when they shine. That’s when the photos turn out stunning.

When Clients Come Prepared… I Get Nervous (And That’s Okay)

Sometimes clients will tell me they’ve practiced poses in the mirror or looked up inspiration beforehand — and honestly, that makes me a little anxious. Not because it’s a bad thing (it’s totally fair to prep!), but because I start worrying that I won’t meet their expectations.

That said, I do think preparation can help you feel confident — so if you're someone who likes to get ready ahead of time, go read my Photoshoot 101 Prep Guide (You can click on that). It’s full of tips to help you feel natural and ready, no matter what kind of shoot we’re doing.

What I Actually Do Behind the Camera

When I’m directing people, I’ll often have them move: For example, dance, fake laugh, yell, spin, sing. It’s not just about getting “the shot,” it’s about creating moments where people forget they’re being photographed for a second.

I try to read the energy of each session and adjust based on who the person is and what the vibes are that day. Every client is different. Every body is different. There’s no one-size-fits-all pose, so instead, I focus on helping you feel like yourself.

Because when you feel like you, the photos always turn out better.

Ready for your shoot now??