How to Pose for Your Vacation Photoshoot
We get it, not all of our clients are natural-born models! If you’re nervous about your upcoming vacation photoshoot, don’t be! The best advice we can give you is to just act natural and let your Local Lens photographer do all of the hard work. For the most part, we encourage you not to focus on posing at all– it can appear rather forced and unnatural. However, there are some neat tips that will really help you to shine during your next vacation photoshoot. Check out more of our posing tips below.
One of the easiest ways to strike a natural pose during a photoshoot is to play with any props you have available. From balloons and signs to a chair or something else, a prop will distract you from the fact that you’re actually posing. No props? Are you wearing a long dress? It could even be as simple as playfully tossing the skirt of your dress around! Have a hat? Toss it in the air! If your vacation photoshoot happens to be on a beach, make use of the natural resources around you– from sand to seashells, anything can be made into a fun prop.
Best Photo Poses & Tips
Let Loose Those Hands of Yours
One of the most common posing issues is where should I put my hands!? As soon as people are put in front of a camera, it’s as though they’ve never realized they had hands before. Hands become these unnatural appendages and it’s hard to know where to place them! The key here is to keep your hands loose– don’t ball them up and avoid showing the back of your hands. Keeping your hands fluid is even easier with the use of props (see above)!
What does this mean?, you may be wondering. Fair question! We find that, on many shoots, folks have no idea what to do with their hands. We want your vacation photos to look as natural as possible, so a great tip is to let your hands accentuate the photo. This could be as easy as looking away from the camera and pointing your hand as if you’re looking at something in the distance. Or, you could look up with your hand above your eyebrows as though you’re shading the sun to see something incredible. You can also use props to give your hands something to do during a photoshoot– whether it’s holding balloons, throwing something in the air, or tossing a frisbee, there are plenty of options to spice up a photo!
Try Taking Photos Mid-Step
Another great tip for your family vacation photos is to capture action moments. Step, skip, hop, jump– have fun and move around! This will create further interest and make for some hilarious moments for sure. Action photos also act as a great distraction for those who may be nervous or shy about having their picture was taken.
Arms Away
When posing for a photo, most people naturally leave their arms flat against their sides. This is a no-go when it comes to photography! Leaving your arms flat against your torso like that can make it appear larger and awkward. The best remedy is to lift your arm– even just an inch or two will work wonders! Another great pose is to put your hand on your hip so that your arm will naturally sit away from your body, accentuating your waist.
Keep Your Shoulders Turned
This is one of the easiest poses to implement during your next vacation photoshoot. Pro tip: You will look bigger if you stare at the camera head-on. To avoid that, simply turn your shoulder– you’ll look slimmer and it’ll make for an all-around better photo.
Ignore the Camera
We know, easier said than done! But the best way to capture the best and most genuine moments on your family vacation is to ignore the camera! Truly act as if nobody’s watching– dance, play, jump in the water, do whatever pleases your heart and soul! We find that our clients treasure photos of candid moments the most.
And just like that, you’re a model! Posing doesn’t have to be a stress-factor when planning your vacation photoshoot.
Make Your Photos Pop with Props
From engagement and maternity photoshoots to family vacation and honeymoon photoshoots, there are so many ways to make your photos everlasting. One of our favorite ways to add pop to photos is through the use of props! These days, more and more folks are channeling their creativity and bringing clever props to their photoshoots– we love that! It’s a great way to make your photos unique, engaging, and super click-worthy on all social media platforms! Below are a few fun prop ideas for your next photoshoot.
Get Crafty
So, you’ve just booked a family vacation photoshoot – that’s great! But, how to make it fun and unique? Simply gather your family together and get crafting! You can pick up all kinds of products at your local craft store or online. Whether it’s a poster board, balloons, or colorful felt, you can do anything! It’s easy and affordable to make handmade photo booth props to fit any occasion. Props don’t have to be expensive or extravagant!
Use Furniture
Say you’ve just booked a fun beach photoshoot. What better way to make your photos pop than to bring a cool chair to the beach or even a funky textured blanket!? Bring something that might be a bit unexpected for the area you’re shooting in – it’ll definitely add interest to your photos and surely help you to create memories of a lifetime.
Add a Pop of Color
Nothing ruins a batch of vacation photos more than dull colors! You’ve hired a photographer, now is not the time to be shy! Wear that bold pop of red or yellow– mix stripes with solids– have fun with it! Photos with pops of color make for great canvas prints that you can pepper throughout your home to remind you of your favorite vacations!
Sentimental Trinkets
This is especially a great idea for engagement or wedding shoots. From love letters to military dog tags and everything in between, bring an item or two to the shoot that’s particularly meaningful. Perhaps it’s a piece of jewelry you’d like to wear and have the photographer highlight, or maybe a cool pair of shoes – the choice is up to you and your loved ones!
Leave It to Etsy
Perhaps you’re not into arts and crafts or you don’t have a particular trinket you’d like to bring to your shoot– not to worry, that’s what the internet is for! Etsy is a great online marketplace with tons of photography props for your next photoshoot. From twig boats and canopies to lemonade stands and huge frames, the options are truly endless. If you can dream it, chances are you can find it anywhere online!
The folks here at Local Lens want you to have tons of fun during your next photoshoot! We love when clients bring fun props– it makes each experience that much more unique and memorable. Book your next session with us today!
