• Tips and Techniques

The ultimate guide to wedding photography poses: creating stunning wedding photos.

Feature image by GraceLyn Lee | Images by GraceLyn.

Being chosen as a couple’s wedding photographer means you have the honor–and responsibility–of documenting the couple’s big day, allowing them to relive the magic for decades to come. We all love to leave room for creativity and to show how each wedding and couple are unique. Having these wedding photography poses in your mental “back pocket” will help you avoid hesitation, give your couples’ variety in their gallery, and let you wait for creativity to strike without wasting precious wedding day portrait time. 

Great wedding photography doesn’t have to be intimidating–you just need to help each couple be themselves and use your powers of observation. This article guides you through a range of poses that will help you capture images that match both the couple’s vision and your own. Keep reading to learn how classic, candid, group and creative poses can tell different stories through your compositions and how you direct the couple.

Classic wedding poses every photographer should know.

Even most non-traditional couples expect their wedding photos to include a few classic wedding shots. But keep in mind that while honoring tradition is important, it doesn’t mean settling for boring shots. A skilled photographer can transform a composition through angles and cues that inspire genuine emotion. From simple, yet elegant compositions to romantic portraits, mastering these essential poses ensures that your couple will walk away with timeless photos they’ll treasure forever. 

The classic portrait.

A couple’s wedding portrait should feel effortless, intimate, and enduring. The key is to create a natural connection while ensuring a flattering composition. Begin by positioning the couple in soft, even lighting—natural light during golden hour works beautifully, or use filtered lighting indoors to avoid harsh dark shadows. Gently guide them into a comfortable stance, keeping their posture relaxed and engaged with each other.

To highlight their authentic chemistry, ask that they make subtle movements rather than a rigid pose. A gentle forehead touch, a soft hold of the hand, or a slow, natural lean toward each other creates a sense of unspoken closeness. Have them angle their bodies slightly toward each other rather than standing completely parallel, creating a flattering composition while maintaining their connection.

Encourage them to interact naturally—this could be sharing a quiet moment or exchanging a little laugh. This isn’t always easy; weddings can be overwhelming and stressful. If you find that one or both of them are struggling with post- or pre-nuptial anxiety, encourage them to close their eyes and take a deep breath. By helping them reconnect with the moment, you can make the experience of photographing them much smoother and more comfortable.  

The timeless dip. 

Few poses are as iconic as the dramatic dip. It’s a visually stunning moment that symbolizes trust and romance—plus, it’s just plain fun. For flawless execution of this theatrical pose, give clear directions beforehand. Remember, safety first! The supporting partner should plant their feet shoulder-width apart for stability while the other leans back gradually. Position yourself at a proper angle to capture the curve of the partner’s body and both faces clearly. Guide the couple on hand placement: the supporting partner should hold securely at the lower back, while the dipped partner extends one arm gracefully and rests the other on their partner’s shoulder for stability. If you want to intensify the romance, have them go in for a kiss! 

Capturing the first look.

While not really a pose, the first look is one of the most emotional moments of the day, making it a must-have for some couples. Partners who prefer a more private reveal can opt for an indoor or isolated outdoor setting where they can focus entirely on each other. When you’re photographing outdoors, keep an eye on the changing light and take a moment to get to know the area before the big reveal.

Remember, there’s no chance for a first look “re-do,” so let’s make sure you capture that perfect moment! When the time comes, start by focusing on the partner who is entering the scene, then shift quickly to capture the other’s reaction. A sequence of images leading up to the reveal adds narrative depth and storytelling to the moment. If you are shooting solo, position yourself over one partner’s shoulder before switching perspectives to ensure you document the full emotional reaction.

When you foster genuine connectedness with your clients, magic will undoubtedly unfold. What could have been stiff and forgettable photographs are transformed into a documentation of the joy and emotion they felt on this very special day. 

Candid wedding poses for natural, storytelling shots.

The most authentic wedding imagery often happens from unscripted moments that reveal genuine emotion and connection between the couple and their loved ones. Before directing formal compositions, train your eye to anticipate and capture these spontaneous interactions—walking together, whispering & laughing, and forehead-to-forehead pose—as these candid treasures will ultimately tell the most compelling visual story of the day.

Walking together

“Walking shots can be some of your most killer shots. Focus on the in-between moments–the laughter after a joke, or the way they reach for each other.” – Bridgwood Wedding Photography

For a natural, yet simple to execute image, have the couple walk hand-in-hand. This classic pose adds movement and authenticity, making it the perfect option for couples who feel a little awkward in still poses. Whether they’re walking toward or away from the camera, the result is always effortless and elegant (and fun!). To make sure those images stay sharp, use a faster shutter speed (around 1/200 or higher) while walking backward ahead of them. Keep an eye-level perspective and encourage casual conversations or jokes to evoke genuine expressions and laughter.

Whispering and laughing.

The couple may have invited friends and family to celebrate their special day, but their union is just for them. Capturing this playful photo of the couple whispering and laughing can highlight the intimate connection between them. Keep your eye open for these moments. During the reception speeches, before cutting the cake, or while the couple takes that first dance, is the perfect time to capture these tender, natural exchanges. 

“For close-up, intimate shots I always use an 85mm so I’m not on top of the couple. I start by encouraging closeness with each other–this usually results in gentle touches and real emotion. You can snap away while this is happening to capture natural-feeling poses–and teamed with your 85mm the tight crop gives a more intimate feel to the photos.” – Bridgwood Wedding Photography

Hands behind the spouse’s neck.

“Prompt: Put your hands behind your spouse’s neck/head. This pose highlights the rings and adds a hint of mystery as the couples faces are not shown–it’s also perfect for couples who are more private and don’t want their faces in every image.” – Images by GraceLyn

This is a great way to allow the wedding couple a moment’s respite from looking at the camera while capturing an image that shows their connection. Experiment with different wide and telephoto lenses to capture more of the wedding venue or location or crop in tight for an intimate feel. Images like this are also excellent for social media posts of couples who prefer not to have their faces appear on social media platforms, due to job restrictions or personal preferences. 

Forehead-to-forehead pose.

For an incredibly romantic shot, the forehead-to-forehead pose is always great to keep in your back pocket. This quiet, warm moment conveys deep intimacy and works beautifully in both close-up and pull-back shots. The magic really happens when couples naturally fall into the pose throughout the day, creating authentic, candid photo opportunities. To capture this moment discreetly, a longer-range zoom lens, like the 70-200mm, should be used to give them space while still maintaining image quality. For the dreamy close-up, switch to a prime lens with a wide aperture (f/1.8-f/2.8) to blur the background and emphasize facial details. Position yourself within two to three feet of the couple, focusing on the subtle expressions that make the shot so emotionally powerful. 

Pay meticulous attention to the eye area—even with closed eyes, the delicate eyelashes, laugh lines, and subtle expressions carry tremendous emotional weight in close-up photography. Consider a slightly offset angle rather than shooting straight-on to create dimension and avoid making the image feel flat.

Romantic and intimate couple poses.

Every portrait is another chance to capture the connection of a couple in a way that feels personal and timeless. Whether it’s a quiet, intimate embrace or a playful exchange, the goal is to reveal their special dynamic. Reflecting genuine emotion and connection goes beyond robotic technical precision—it’s about manifesting a comfortable atmosphere where their expressions feel natural and authentic.

Keep the framing tight to emphasize intimacy and guide them into relaxed, confident poses that highlight their chemistry.Little things like softly encouraging them to share a whisper or move together can really help bring out those genuine emotions. This way, the images feel more authentic and natural, instead of stiff or overly posed!

The almost kiss.

This moment is all about building a sense of anticipation—the split second before their lips meet, filled with emotion. To create a compelling almost kiss moment, try to position yourself slightly below eye level and use a longer focal length (85-135mm) with a wide aperture (f/1.8-2.8). This squeezes the background, emphasizes depth, and paints a dreamy bokeh effect that keeps all focus right on the couple. To give some variety, avoid shooting straight on in some of your shots. Instead, position yourself slightly to the side to capture both facial profiles while allowing soft, natural light to create catchlights in their eyes. Coach the couple to linger just inches apart, with relaxed hands and natural body language, preventing the pose from looking overly staged. The result? A beautifully intimate shot filled with emotion.

Holding hands and looking away.

“Prompt: Hold hands and look away. This pose is dramatic and unique, and it is perfect for a wide-angle shot against a beautiful background.” – Images by GraceLyn

When photographing couples holding hands and looking away, you can direct them to stand a little apart or to walk slowly while maintaining a slight distance between them to create natural tension in their joined hands. Make the most of this pose and mix things up by using your wider lens to capture the environment around the couple and then going in tight on their hands or other details with your telephoto lens. 

Wrapped in each other’s arms.

Few poses capture warmth and connection like the affectionate embrace. Have the one partner (usually it is more effective if it is the taller of the two) wrap their arms around the other from behind, then guide them to gently nuzzle their partner’s neck or rest their forehead against their temple. This pose works beautifully in any setting but becomes especially magical with the right lighting. 

During golden hour, position the couple with the sun behind them to create a soft, glowing rim light around their bodies. On overcast days, take advantage of diffused light for even skin tones and a warm, natural look. For indoor or evening portraits, use your flash or the professional lighting at the reception to sculpt shadows, adding depth and a touch of drama. By capturing the subtle details—the way their hands rest, their delicate expressions—you transform a simple embrace into a powerful, intimate moment.

Grab their collar and kiss.

“Prompt: Grab their collar and kiss. This is a playful (and romantic) pose that often makes the couples smile and blush. It’s perfect for showing the excitement of the day—like they can’t resist grabbing a passionate kiss from their partner!” – Images by GraceLyn

Every portrait photographer knows that most people are more comfortable being photographed when they know what to do with their hands. Have one partner rest their hands gently at the waist or hips while the other grabs the other’s collar and tugs them closer for a kiss. No jackets on either partner? Get creative and playful and have them gently grab their partner’s tie, suspender strap, scarf–anything goes!

Creative and artistic wedding photography poses.

Editorial wedding photography is all about crafting images that feel cinematic, sophisticated, and intentional. These choreographed compositions go beyond traditional poses, capturing a sense of pictorial artistry that wouldn’t look out of place in a fashion magazine. 

While editorial-style shots often appear meticulously directed and rehearsed, you don’t need a big production or a second shooter to achieve them. With thoughtful framing, creative use of light, and a strong understanding of what movement can add to a photograph, you can create show-stopping portraits that feel both polished and emotionally compelling.

Silhouettes at sunset.

For silhouette shots at sunset, position the couple against the brightest part of the sky with the sun behind them, then underexpose them–exposing for the sky–to create a dramatic outline where only their shapes are visible against the colorful backdrop. If you’re unsure about exposure, you can use the sky for spot metering. 

To maximize the dramatic effect in sunset silhouettes, shoot when the sun is hovering at or just below the horizon during blue hour. Depending on your angle, distance, and the amount of bokeh you desire, this could be created using any lens from the wider 24mm or 35mm lens  to your 85mm to compress the scene. 

“Silhouettes are my favorite way of changing any scene into something magical. Hiding behind some weeds with the open sky behind, then shaping the couple to become art is appreciated every time. Adding motion like running, jumping, and allowing them to be playful will make these images pop. Make sure you have a darkening open sky, get low, and use a wide lens to create a surreal landscape that will awe them!” – Jeramie Lu Photography

Veil flowing shot.

When photographing flowing veil shots, choose your aperture based upon how much detail you want in the flowing veil–typically, a lower aperture around f/2.8 will maintain a sharp focus on the bride while allowing a soft, dreamy veil. You can use a higher aperture if the veil has details you’d like to capture and use the swoop or direction of the fabric to create dramatic effect. 

Although you can do it on your own, this shot is easier to create when you have an assistant along to stand just out of frame; they can hold the veil, gently wave it for motion, or toss it up in the air in the direction you prefer. If needed, they can also hold a reflector to bounce additional light on the subjects. 

Reflections and framing.

“I love taking something ordinary and changing it up–finding items like mirrors can add another dimension to a shot that might be ordinary. Having one of the couples hold a mirror that focuses on the other is a great way of showing perspective. Next shoot through a window…Or have a mirror hit another mirror and create an inception of mirror shots. PLAY!” – Jeramie Lu Photography

When working with reflection shots, don’t be afraid to look for unexpected reflective surfaces beyond mirrors—great reflections can be found on polished floors or tabletops, calm water, or even the glossy surface of a piano. 

For creative framing using architectural elements, shoot through doorways, windows, or natural formations. Use a lower aperture to soften the elements, or shoot at f/8-f/11 to keep both the frame and subjects sharp. Consider your position and angle carefully and try a few different ones quickly–sometimes the first composition is the best but you never know until you’re home editing! Reflections and framing can add depth and context to what might otherwise be a standard portrait.

Essential wedding party and group poses.

Wedding party and group photos are just as important as couple portraits, and they offer up a time to mix the more traditional with creative shots that are full of personality.

Bridal party shots.

Fun bridal party shots are a chance to capture a wedding’s unique energy. It really helps to take the time to understand the personality of the couple, as well as their style and vision. Whether they want classic, elegant portraits or lively, unconventional, and even silly compositions, clear communication is key. Step back to include everyone without resorting to a wide-angle lens, which can distort faces at the edges. A 35mm lens is an excellent choice for keeping everyone in proportion while still fitting the whole group in the frame. Always leave room for cropping during the editing process…you will thank yourself later. 

“Bridal party shots can end up boring, as you’re dealing with people who are distracted–ready to party and sometimes a bit tipsy. Be fast, focused, and stern with directions as you pose. I like making people run as fast as they can back and forth to create some motion and drag that shutter so these people have fun creating something unique. The wedding party might contain your next clients.” – Jeramie Lu Photography

Some wedding parties are prepared with a few of their own ideas, based on a shared joke or interest. Always be open to capturing their special requests in addition to your own creative ideas–some of your best images can come from a suggestion your clients or their friends make!

It’s important to remember that every group can have a few camera-shy participants. These individuals can be brought out of their shell with positive reinforcement, or leveling the field by getting everyone to wear sunglasses or a prop provided by the wedding couple. This icebreaker can be great because it makes everyone in the group feel more comfortable with you and your camera.

Classic family portraits.

When arranging classic family portraits, create visual balance by placing taller individuals toward the center-back with shorter family members and children in the front, while using subtle staggering rather than strict rows. With smaller groups, place the tallest people either in the center or on the outside and create a v or inverted v shape to keep the composition clean. Try to keep everyone roughly along the same invisible lines and use an aperture of 5.6 or greater to ensure facial features will be in focus among everyone in the photo.

Prior to the day, use the lists from your client questionnaire to prepare a detailed shot list with family and wedding party groupings to streamline your workflow. Start with the largest configuration and systematically remove people until you reach the smallest arrangement. If you don’t have a second shooter, recruit a family or wedding party member who is familiar with both families and clearly communicate your plan–they can help gather the next group while you’re shooting. Maintain energy and attention by working quickly, and once you determine your settings, limit camera adjustments as much as lighting and group size allow.

Groomsmen and bridesmaids poses.

“Group formal photos are often known as the part of the wedding day the photographer dreads!! For me, this part of the day is one of my favorites–it’s all about timing and a little planning. I find doing group shots as soon as the couple walks out can be a real headache! I like to let people chill out and talk, grab a drink and say their congratulations to the married couple, then after about 30 minutes start your group formals. It’ll be much more fluid and fun for everyone doing it this way.” – Bridgwood Wedding Photography

Begin with a few standard poses to satisfy the parents and grandparents, then get creative to capture individual personalities within the group shots with playful arrangements and prompts. Line everyone up by height, have them link elbows and walk toward you, prompt everyone to make eye contact with someone and laugh, or all look at the bride or groom and laugh. 

Make your first impression count with a stunning wedding photography portfolio.

Wedding couples can spend hours searching for the right photographer, comparing sites of referrals from friends and family, getting overwhelmed by the options on social media, and ultimately scrolling through several photographers’ websites before making contact. 

Taking time to curate a variety of your best work in an online portfolio will showcase your unique artistic vision and storytelling abilities during the critical first impression, and catch the attention of your ideal clients. A great about page and a collection of blog posts featuring images from past wedding clients can improve your SEO relevance–and become the tipping point for engaged couples who want to know more about how you capture the story of a wedding day. Your site can be the difference that transforms you from one vendor among many into the trusted photographer they can’t imagine their wedding day without.

From classic portraits to fun candids, having a variety of wedding poses will elevate your portfolio from cardboard documentation to compelling and beautiful visual storytelling. These foundational poses are just a starting point. The most stunning images arise when you infuse your approach with each couple’s unique connection, allowing your creative style to breathe life into their personal narrative. Once you’re comfortable with these essentials, enjoy yourself, experiment, and create a unique visual signature—one that makes your work stand out and keeps clients excited to work with you.

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