Choose Your Own Adventure: Being Directed

This blog is carefully designed as a definitive reference for those who care to know or who wish to define precisely how they may be directed for portraits. I preface this content by clarifying that the majority of modern wedding photography is predominantly photojournalistic (candid); therefore, it is redundant to request a photojournalistic style as it is already the default. However, there is one segment of a wedding day (other than family portraits) to which I apply the focus of this blog. It's the in-between "creative" segment.

I have coined these direction terms with visual reference thanks to my fabulous volunteer model, Rachel. Please keep in mind that these styles are intended for the segment of a wedding day from which you'd typically expect direction. The rest of the day is entirely up to atmosphere, circumstances and YOU... I'm just the journalist. 

Completely Candid: 0% Direction

Experience the atmosphere

If you're a couple with a lot of spunk, personality and flamboyant chemistry, and also not fond at all of being told what to do, this style is for you. The direction is that there is none. The photographer follows wherever and whatever you choose to do with each other. Anything goes. This can't really be illustrated in a few shots because everyone and every atmosphere is different.

To note: Probably no shots looking directly at the camera unless you're a camera-seeker. Breaking the 4th wall breaks realism though, so if you admire true realism, this is for you. I recommend involving an activity which elicits emotion and excitement, such as going out for ice cream or heading to a play ground. 

Unposed Direction: 50% Direction

Direction is usually "start here, end here, do this in between". How you carry that out is up to you.

Most couples feel awkward being expected to suddenly express the nature of their relationship non-verbally for a camera (we're not actors, after all), but this style helps break the ice by giving subjects a general direction in motion while allowing them a freedom to determine what exactly they will do with that cue. This is really one of the more popular styles I've devised which 'pretends' to be candid, but which has actually been directed.

To note: Go with the direction, but make it your own. Don't be afraid to show who you are.

Traditional Posing: 100% Direction

There is a forever classic formula to posing for traditional portraiture, and no one ever complains about it. This can be taken up a notch by selecting intriguing locations. I mix these up with at-camera or at-each-other gazes. 

Vogue Posing: 110% Direction

High Fashion Vogue

Here's where it gets interesting and offbeat, but I recommend it only if it's truly in your personality to do something like this. In which case, it's completely worth the extra time and the minute tweaking of arms, legs and expressions to achieve. 

     1. Whimsical Vogue in my mind means "fantasy", choreography or jumpography. 

Severely fun. Yup! Sometimes jumping is great just for the post-jump laughter.

     2. High Fashion "Magazine" Vogue, just like what you saw when shopping for bridal gowns.

Shoulder focus: fun for non-strapless gowns.

     3. Imitation Vogue mocks pop culture photography in really fun ways. Also check the Bride of Frankenstein shot I did for Halloween. I got a kick out of imitating the original. 

Audrey Hepburn: Sabrina

Marilyn Monroe: the tutu pose

Marlene Dietrich

So now you know my mind when it comes to posing. One disclaimer is that photography, as well as posing, is very situational. Certain poses can't be accomplished well by everyone; body types and shapes are all different. I like to assist clients in knowing precisely what to expect, so this classification of direction is about as fine-tuned as I can get considering that everything is so situational. Analyze your personality and choose a style that works for you. If you have no preference, I tend to mix these all together.