Q. Hey Jordan,
Big fan of your blog here with a question for you.
I look like a complete goober in any sort of formal posed photographs. I mean I really can’t take a good picture to save my life, especially when it’s a full body shot – where do I put my arms? My feet??
I have an event coming up that’s going to involve a LOT of posed photos, and I was wondering if you could do a little expert tutorial on how not to look either a) super stiff or b) like some sort of limb-flailing octopus, which are my two go-tos.
Thank you so much,
Katerina
A. I am certain that you don’t look like an octopus and/or a goober, although both of those things sound like pretty fun additions to your traditional photo session. But I do understand feeling awkward in front of the camera, so happy to give whatever advice I can.
First, because a little illustration makes everything easier, let’s look at this photo (of me with my friend Felix backstage at a Better TV taping). You can see I had no idea what to do with my leg or front arm, so I just sort of held my phone and did a weird flamingo thing. I also looked at a different camera than he was looking at. But despite – or actually because of – those little awkward things, I think this is a great shot: we look happy, relaxed, and like ourselves.
That’s my first piece of advice: the little “you-isms” that go into photos are what make them special and fun. Even if the photos you’re talking about are for a major event like a wedding…I’m betting that you were asked to be a part of them because the people holding the event love you and want to see you in their photos, whatever that means. The photographer will probably give direction for the group shots so that everyone’s doing more or less the same thing, but beyond that…be your octopus self.
Now, in this post on taking self-portraits for your blog, I talked about practicing to find your favorite angles, and it’s true: you’ll feel ridiculous doing it, but taking a few solo shots to figure out the ways that you feel you look best will make posing for photos way easier. In the shot above, as an example (which I took myself with a timer), I’m using a few tricks that I like: one shoulder higher than the other, one leg in motion, chin slightly lifted, hands doing something (anything, really: hooked into pockets, on hips, holding onto a bag…all those work well). A little bit of practice will give you the ability to fall into a stance that you feel works for you practically without thinking…and it’s the over-thinking that makes you look stiff.
That said, group shots are a little different, in that the most important thing is to work with the other people in the photo, not contort yourself to hit your “best side”. A good rule of thumb is to angle your body towards the “person of honor” (especially a bride); if you’re seated, angle your knees in their direction. I know, it sounds weird: it’s a way to physically indicate attentiveness to the central figure, and gives a photo a sense of intimacy and coherence.
Also, if the bride (or whoever) wants you do to a goofball shot – jumping in the air or whatever – just do it. That one guy in the photo looking cool because he didn’t jump? He does not look cool; he looks grumpy.
Finally, here’s the “traditional” way to pose “well”: one hand (or both) on the hip, one foot in front of the other, body slightly at an angle. It’s nice and all, and a good fallback if you’re feeling nervous, but…
It’s just a photo. It’s supposed to be fun.
Have fun!
