Prepare To Be Shot!

Most of us assume we know how to pose ourselves best for a portrait. The simple truth is that professional photography is not snapshot photography. Time, art and people management is involved. This article evaluates my experience shooting portraits and events and prepares you before the shoot on what to expect.



© Amkar Photography

Photography is probably the last thing on your mind as you get closer to the wedding day, but if you consider these tips carefully, you'll be a well informed photo subject, which means your photos will be that much more excellent!

Candid Means Candid - Don't Look At Me!

I think this is funny. 100% of my clients say they prefer the candid photo style, but on their wedding days they're always waiting for me to pose them, asking me "Should I look at the camera?" True candidity is synonymous with photojournalism, which in it's richest and most authentic sense means the photographer is invisible and events are unfolding emotionally and authentically. If you want truly candid photography, you need to learn to forget about me. Sounds rude, but it's true. I won't take offense. We will converse on the sidelines, but when you see the lens up to my face, try to pretend it's not even there.

Not All That Glitters Is Candid

About 85% of a wedding is generally shot candidly. The other 15% is carefully posed (5% family formals, 10% couple/bridal party portraits). You don't want to have everything candid because when you look at your image pile later you'll be scraping to find any shot where your two faces are looking straight at the camera (shots your family will also seek). Thus why posing is desired. Some don't like to be told what to do, but trust me, for a mere 10% of your wedding day, let me lead. You'll be more pleased with my elegant posing results than your standard bar room shoulder-to-shoulder shot.

Novel Idea - Pose Yourself

Nothing would make bridal posing go more smoothly than working with a super model. I'm not saying you have to be one or even look like one, but you can totally pose like one! Watch a red carpet awards show sometime before your shoot. Do you notice how many poses they have prepared to display to the cameras? They are constantly moving. Actresses have been trained how to show their best angles on cue. Nab some tips from them, remember to strike those poses, and you too will look absolutely awesome in every single shot. Guaranteed.

Some Simple Pose-Yourself-Awesome Tactics
Try them in front of your mirror when wearing your bridal gown, and I guarantee not only will you look radiant, you will feel 100% confident too. These work for all body types: 

1. Straighten the back, no slouching!
2. Suck in the stomach (doing so regularly can tone your abs!)
3. Hand on the hip slims the upper arm
4. Weight on the back foot slims thighs and flatters curves
5. Turn a slight shoulder toward the camera to slim the shoulders and minimize chest
6. A chin to the shoulder creates a sleek, elegant neckline and playful flirtatiousness (see photo above)

I know you all are checking out those bridal fashion magazines... follow their lead!

Family Formals - Hold Your Fire!

I will announce reminders on the spot, but please inform your family that they should not be taking their own photos of family formals while I am shooting them as well. Their camera flashes will add unwanted light to my images and will overexpose my shots. Redoing these shots will lengthen the family portraits session and result in more bogus shots that will have to be deleted. If time permits, I will invite those happy snappers to take the very same shots once mine are complete.

The Shy Guys

Guys are often less gung ho about photo taking than ladies, but I have ways peaking their interest. In these cases the goal is to make them forget about portraits and focus on their ladies. Candid styles are more challenging for engagement shoots because moments often need to be created rather than being truly candid. The "created candid" still looks authentic. Creating interaction is my method to get guys involved and captivated with their gals. It can involve jumping, running, dancing or interacting with a gadget or prop.

What Is She Doing??

Photography is the creation of artistic media, and artists will often go to the nth degree to capture something they find impactful. If you see me hiding behind things, swiping items to put in shots, lying on the floor, lying on my back, seemingly spying on people or climbing on top of something, it's all pretty normal behavior.

As always, I will adhere to your preferences as far as shooting and minding surroundings. Put your best foot forward and be shot with confidence!