Portrait
Session

Candid Posing Guide

Guide for Photographers: Structuring the Portrait Session

A typical portrait session lasts about 40-60 minutes, and it’s helpful to break down the time into segments to ensure you capture a variety of shots. Here’s a suggested breakdown:

The Walk (5 Min)
Begin with a casual walk to help the couple feel comfortable in front of the camera, capturing candid moments as they interact naturally.
Editorial Shots (15 Min + 5 Min for secondary location)
These are your styled, posed shots with a focus on elegance and creativity. Add 5 more minutes if you’re moving to a second location.
Classic Couple Poses (2 Min)
Think vintage—like old grandparents’ wedding photos. Have the couple face the camera, stay still, and keep it simple
Story Time (5 Min per location)
Capture storytelling shots that reflect the couple’s emotions and connection. If there’s more than one location, repeat this step.
Dance/Dip/Kisses (5 Min)
Include romantic movements like a dance, dip, or intimate kiss to capture their love in motion.
Leading Men/Women (5 Min)
Ask Bride/Groom to take a walk but one of them has to lead the way
Runway Bride (2-3 Min)
Let the bride and Groom have her runway moment

The Walk : 5 MIN

Instruction to Couple : Just Hold Hands And walk away from the photographer 10 meters. Forget about the camera, Just walk and chat, push each other, wait for photographer to call you …just look back when you hear photographer voice. Go for random kisses while walking

Photographer : Don’t Hold Back , Take as many photos as possible (Do Not Use Burst, as this slow walk) as they walk from close to further away. Use Mid to Zoom range lenses (50,70-200,135). Expected photos 5-6

Instruction to the Couple : Do the same but now turn around and walk towards the photographer. chat, full around, push each other and kiss.

Photographer : Don’t Hold Back , Take as many photos as possible (Do Not Use Burst, as this slow walk) as they walk from close to further away. Use Mid to Zoom range lenses (50,70-200,135). Expected photos 5-6

The Editorial : 15 Min

After the walk and back finished , Couples are more relaxed into the session, Good time to Take some Posed editorial photos

Photographer : In every pose take 3 quick photo , Close up , Mid range , Long zoom. If wide landscape needed to be captured ..use Zoom lens and take to photo from far distance to keep the compression

Use Mid to Zoom range lenses (50,70-200,135). Expected photos 10-12

Classic Couple Poses (2 Min)

Think vintage—like old grandparents’ wedding photos. Have the couple face the camera, stay still, and keep it simple:

Look at each other , Look away from each other, Look directly at the camera

Photographer : Use Mid range lenses (50,24-70). Expected photos 3-4

Story Time (Wisper on her ear): 5 MIN each desired spot

Couple : Ask Groom to Wisper on bride’s ear. Ask his to say anything funny or anything naughty (usually naughty line works better) – Tell him we will be taking photo from little far so we wont hear anything but her reaction. (e.g. Hi Jack say anything funny or naughty on jills ear. I will be standing bit far and take photos ..i wont hear anything…so go nuts)

Pose : Groom to stand behind the bride and hold her (over the shoulder )

Photographer : Use Mid range to zoom lenses (70-200, 24-70 (use max focal length), 135 . Expected photos 7-8