BRE THURSTON

10 Simple Poses

SIMPLE, GO-TO WEDDING POSES

FOR ANY COUPLE

Copyright Bre Thurston 2017

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Grandma Shot

I jokingly call this the “Grandma Shot”

because it’s likely the one Grandma (or
parents) will put on the mantle. While this
pose isn’t the most exci[ng it’s a must-
capture and usually my very first pose
with every couple. While the goal is to
keep it classic, you can keep connec[on
between the couple by instruc[ng them
to get their heads as close together as
possible, ideally cheek to cheek if height
permits. Have them loosely wrap their
arms around one another. No[ce the way
their arms and faces touching create a
circle? It allows the image to feel
complete, interes[ng, and somewhat
in[mate while also s[ll keeping that
tradi[onal feel that Grandma will love!

Copyright Bre Thurston 2017

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 This is an easy way to
transi[on out of the
“Grandma Shot” and into

Head on Shoulder
something that while s[ll
tradi[onal is a bit more
in[mate and connected.
Have the bride (or smaller
partner) stand slightly
behind the groom (taller
partner) and lightly lean her
head on his shoulder. Do
not let his cheek look
squished. Then, have the
groom do something with
his hands – clasp them in
front of him, put in his
pockets, or up across his
stomach as if he’s guiding
his partner. You can vary
eye contact between both
looking at the camera, just
one person looking at the
camera, or neither looking at
the camera. My favorite is
the taller partner looking
down towards the smaller
partner.

Copyright Bre Thurston 2017

Stand Behind Embrace

This pose can easily feel like “prom” so

we need to do a few things to make it
more sophis[cated. Have the taller
partner stand behind the smaller partner
and wrap his arms around her. I simply
say “wrap your arms around her” but if
his arms/hands end up awkwardly on her
chest I will walk over and physically help
move his hands. Then, have her wrap her
arms and hands around his to create a
complete embrace. Posi[on his face just
over her shoulder and have them lean
their faces in un[l they are touching.
While you could have them be camera
aware, it is warmer and more in[mate to
have them look at one another or close
their eyes while facing their partner.
Bonus, if the bride is wearing a veil you
can have her wrap that in her hands,
almost like a blanket as this bride is doing
here.

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 Faux Walk

This is a great “standing s[ll” pose that gives the
illusion of movement. Either partner can lead but I
prefer it be the bride if she is wearing a long dress.
The way the train/dress flows behind her helps to
create a circular shape between the couple,
drawing in the viewer. I almost always have the
couple look at one another.
If I were to have them physically walk then I would
explore having both of them looking ahead. This is
a great pose to show off the aere. Every couple
wants photographs that show off what they are
wearing on their wedding day so standing back and
geeng the full dress/suit is important.

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 Almost Kiss
It’s a wedding so you should have the couple kiss, right? Sure, but focus on the second
right before the actual kiss. Smooshing their faces together is rarely flafering. I do
instruct them to actually kiss so the mo[on appears natural, some[mes I will have them
2 or 3 [mes to ensure I caught the perfect moment. Not only is the almost-kiss more
flafering, but it also create an[cipa[on and more of a story to the viewer.

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 There is something
beau[ful about the
simplicity of this pose.
Have your couple stand
shoulder to shoulder, hold
hands, and smile directly at
you. Work to keep their
smiles natural. Bonus if you
can find a cute sign or
background!

Shoulder to Shoulder
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 KEEP IT CLEAN

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Stand In Front
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illo as one hand
on her hip. Then, have the partner standing in the
back get comfortable by placing his hands in his
pockets. First, have him look at her (I say “Smile and
stare at your beau[ful wife!”), then have her look
back at him. Change your focus from the person in
the front to the person in the back.

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 Let them Sit
Most wedding venues will have places
where you could pose your couple in a
sieng posi[on. First, make sure the
area is clean. Never have your couple
sit on a dirty surface. Look for walls,
benches, and steps.

I will first have one partner, usually the

groom sit down first. Get him
comfortable and instruct him to sit in a
way that feels natural. Next, have the
bride sit next to him and slightly lean
into his chest and lap. It’s important
that she not sit up totally straight, but
instead lean into him. Keep their heads
touching and turn their faces in towards
one another. You can have them
camera aware or looking at each other.
Finally, ensure that their hands and
arms aren’t copped off out of frame if
you are shoo[ng [ght. You could have
them hold hands, her holding her
bouquet in her lap, or even move the
groom’s outer arm to embrace the
bride’s arm.

Copyright Bre Thurston 2017

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 o n C he s t
H a n d s
k o f H e a d
and B a c

With most poses it’s all about the

lifle details. Lifle details take a pose
from boring to special and that
includes the placement of hands. In
this pose, have the bride (or smaller
partner) place one hand on his chest
and the other hand wrapped around
his neck and touching the back of his
head. Make sure that the groom/
taller partner puts his hands on her
waist. Our goal is zero “dead hands”
– as in hands that hang and add
nothing to the in[macy or feeling of
your photo.

Also, by placing the hands in this

fashion we are once again crea[ng a
visual circle, keeping the viewers
eyes focused on the most important
area of the photo – the faces of the
couple.

Copyright Bre Thurston 2017

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 I’ve saved my favorite classic pose for last. In this pose, we
start by having the couple embrace. Have the partner
who’s going to be dipped wrap one or both arms around
her partners neck. The other partner should have his arms
around her waist to support her. The most important part
of this pose is to tell them ‘Keep your bodies glued
together!” and then “Lean her back!” – not too far, but
enough to create an illusion of a small dip. If it’s too big it
can look cheesy. From here, you can have them touch
their noses together, him looking down at her, or both of
them looking at you.

xoxo, Bre

n y D i p
Th e T i
Copyright Bre Thurston 2017
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