Poses for a couple's photo shoot or twenty-one examples of posing for beginner and amateur photographers.
Let us remind you that in previous articles in this series on posing, we have already looked at poses for a women’s photo shoot, poses for a men’s photo shoot, a wedding photo shoot and poses for photographing children.
In the articles listed above, the main subject was only one person and her or his personality. In comparison, couple photography is more about the connection, interaction and feelings between two people. This is what makes couple photography so delightful and positive.
Poses for a couple's photo shoot: advice
Let's look at the poses for a couple's photo shoot and what affects the quality of the photo shoot. The guy and girl must be in a good mood and trust the photographer.
If they're a little shy or uncomfortable, just ask them to show you how they felt when they first met.
Provoke them on an emotional level with all your phrases. As a result, they will show natural emotions and genuine feelings. All you have to do is capture them in the photo in time.
Poses for a standing photo shoot
An easy pose to start a photo shoot: the couple stands face to face (but both are looking at the camera). She keeps her hand on his chest. Take close-up photos and also take vertical shots.
Face to face
Ask the couple to stand very close to each other and lightly touch their foreheads for close-up portraits. Don't be afraid to zoom in and crop really hard.
Pose with foreheads touching each other
A very light and sincere pose when the guy holds her from behind. The couple can look directly at the camera or at each other. They might even kiss for a more emotional shot.
Hugging from behind
A fun pose where she holds her back and shoulders. Pay attention to the position of your hands: it should be simple and natural.
A girl hugs a guy from behind by the shoulders
Another option is when she hugs him from behind. Remember that the couple does not have to look at the camera. For best results, make them interact with each other by talking, looking flirty, laughing, and so on.
This pose looks best outdoors and with open space in the background. Shoot slightly from behind.
Couple looking into the distance
Find a high point and photograph them from above. An ordinary pose taken from an unusual angle is always creative and can surprise with good results.
Non-standard angle
This pose looks best outdoors and with open space in the background. Also good for silhouettes against a bright background, such as before sunset.
A very easy pose for a full-length shot. Creates a calm and gentle mood.
Full length
Fun pose. Don't think that this is only suitable for young people. If the adult couple is relaxed, then this pose will also be appropriate and look good.
Try different framing options. Take full-length, half-length, and close-ups.
Pose for cheerful couples
A very good way to show love when meeting each other. Works well in crowded places such as a popular meeting place in the city or a subway station and so on.
“Meeting” pose
The most important part of this pose is the position of the legs. The leg should be bent at different angles. While he's picking it up, take a close-up portrait shot.
Hugs in the air
Take photos of the couple walking hand in hand. Be sure to take photos in burst mode. Most of your shots will look awkward due to the movement of your feet.
So the second part of your job is to select photos with the best leg movement and positioning after them.
On the run
Another option with a walking couple. This time the lovers hold on to each other. Again, take several photos and choose the ones that have the best leg placement.
Don't forget about the opportunity to just take a photo from the back. Sometimes you can get good pictures.
You can also get good shots from the back
Ideas for a photo shoot for a couple in love
There are many ideas you can use for couple photography. This direction is one of the most common. Some couples in love like outdoor photographs, but you can successfully diversify them by renting a studio. Regardless of the choice of location, it is important to show your emotions in the photographs, and unusual ideas will help with this; below are some original examples.
Using picture frames
Partners can hold either one frame for two, or each for themselves. When their faces are in them, it emphasizes the expression of feelings. Looking at the resulting photo, few people will pay attention to shoes or other objects; the emphasis will be on faces.
Frames not just made of wood or plastic look original, but those made like a social network page or an advertising billboard. For example, a couple might get a million likes on Instagram or a few comments on Facebook.
In the images of the heroes of your favorite movie about love
You can recreate the images of your favorite movie using:
- clothes;
- hairstyles;
- interior
Some people like fairy tale images, such as sleeping beauty. You should not think that the photos will turn out “childish”; it is important for partners to get into character, showing their feelings and passion. Then there will be pictures with a fairy tale, but for adults.
Photo session with hearts
Hearts are an indispensable attribute of a couple’s photo shoot for lovers. Some people focus on them, placing them everywhere. However, there are more original ideas, for example:
- heart-shaped lollipops;
- Balloons;
- large pillow;
- paper hearts with inscriptions;
- drawn on the palms;
- candies and chewing gum in the shape of hearts.
Unusual idea with letters or inscriptions
The most standard option is the letters of the words “LOVE”. It is not necessary to make them from foam plastic or cut them out of cardboard paper. Letters made from flowers, especially fresh ones, look beautiful. Also suitable for lovers are those sewn from soft fabrics in the form of pillows.
A word or caption on a photo is a way to capture what is dear to both of you. Even if only you understand the meaning, it will be a good reminder of the feelings even years later. Make the words of the affectionate names that you gave each other, or inscriptions such as “Happiness”, “Family”, “We found what we were looking for”, etc.
You can learn more about the secrets of shooting together in the article “How to prepare and choose a pose for a photo shoot with a guy.”
Against the background of burning candles
It’s unlikely that anything will add more romanticism than dim lights and lit candles. This idea is great for shooting dinner. The table is decorated with dishes, drinks, fruits, and candles are placed in the foreground. You can use them for other purposes - it all depends on your imagination.
Such a photo shoot requires certain conditions. The photographer should be warned about it, and it is also important to take care of the necessary light in advance. If you come to the studio during the day, the windows should be tightly closed.
With rose petals
Rose petals are immediately associated with a couple's photo shoot; this accessory can be used in many ways. Depending on the style of the photo shoot, you can scatter them on the floor, furniture, or pour them into a bowl or other dishes. If studio conditions allow, you can create the effect of falling petals; if not, they are tossed manually.
For brave couples who are not afraid to experiment, you can use petals to decorate the bathroom. Such pictures look intimate and romantic.
Against the background of bright accessories
Use whatever comes to mind as bright accessories. You can even play with food in an interesting way, especially vegetables and fruits. Colorful balloons, especially those of non-standard shapes and sizes, add color.
To make your photos bright, use unusual wardrobe items as accessories: bowties and ties, hats and scarves, tights and socks. By focusing on these details, you can add a touch of humor and lightness to the photo shoot.
Photo session in the studio
A photo session in a studio for a couple of lovers usually takes at least several hours. However, if you consider how long the preparation will take, you may even have to spend a whole day. To get original footage that captures feelings and emotions, think through everything in advance and seek help from professionals.
Planning begins with an idea, according to which the interior and other details are selected. While shooting, enjoy the moment and try to relax. Then pleasant memories of the photo shoot will be complemented by beautiful, bright and “live” photographs.
Lying poses
The couple lies on the ground close to each other. Ask them to raise their upper body slightly, using their arms for support. He can hug her tenderly. Shoot from a very low angle.
Lying on the grass
Another option is with the couple lying on the ground. This time with a small gap in between.
A good opportunity to show that lovers can look good when positioned asymmetrically.
One of the options is lying down
An informal and fun way to pose. The couple is lying down and you are photographing them from above.
Lying on your back option
Other poses for couple photography
Soulful pose for an indoor photo shoot. Ask the couple to sit on their favorite couch.
Sitting on the couch
Sometimes a couple's shoot may have a different format and mean a pregnancy photo shoot. Some of the poses in this series are also suitable for this theme.
Simply change the poses accordingly to show the couple's feelings and interaction with the unborn new life.
Bottom line
We've looked at poses for a couple's photo shoot. We recommend looking at these example poses only as a starting point. These are just sketches and not actual photographs. You do not have to repeat these poses exactly. Use creative thinking and adjust the pose to suit your setting and shooting scenario.
Photo session for lovers
Locations for a photo shoot.
I strongly advise photographers to discuss this point in advance. And the choice should not come from the fact that you recently saw a wonderful abandoned barn covered with ivy, but from the preferences of the couple themselves.
For fellow models, I recommend choosing places where you feel good and comfortable. Where you just enjoy being. This could be your favorite cafe, a park for walks, or your home.
Personally, I am most wary of professional photo studios . If your goal is not to take just classic portraits in a frame, then studio photos for this type of shooting are not the best choice.
A photo session for lovers involves a certain story in pictures about this couple, about their relationship, about the history of their acquaintance or the time they spend together. And any studio reeks of artificiality. Yes, these will be Instagram pictures in beige, ash and pastel colors, but will they be about this couple?
Will they feel relaxed sitting on someone else's couch in an unfamiliar environment, trying to simulate a Sunday morning in what is supposedly their sun-drenched apartment?
Will they be able to relax in front of the camera if all their thoughts are occupied with the closed space in which they find themselves and where they also need to simulate passionate love in front of the lens?
Photo session of lovers on the street.
Therefore, I compiled a list of locations, constantly keeping in mind that all this should be as natural as possible for two lovers.
- In the city
The most popular option, easy to implement and with a guaranteed successful result.
You can go for a walk early in the morning, when the city is just waking up, or vice versa, in the late afternoon, when lights come on everywhere.
For such a shoot, you don’t necessarily need paving stones and gingerbread houses. The photos look luxurious both in new neighborhoods and in old courtyards of Soviet buildings. Of course, this brings us back to the fact that the images of the models must be properly designed for each location.
- Outdoors
: in a park, forest, in the mountains, near a lake or river.
Think in advance (both the photographer and the couple) what you will do there and take the appropriate props. This could be a picnic on the grass, boat rides, or launching paper airplanes from a high cliff. The scope for imagination is limited only by your imagination. Perhaps you have long wanted to try yourself in pairs roller skating? Photo shoot - it's time! The photographer will be able to take a lot of fun reportage shots about how great you are having time together.
The most important thing is don’t expect that you will come to the shoot and the photographer will give you an answer to the question “what should we do?” Will not give. He will help you with posing, tell you when to raise your face so that the light falls beautifully, and even show you how to hug each other in a more “photogenic” way. But you should have some kind of exciting activity together (or better yet, several), during which you will forget about the photo shoot. And you will finally have live, real footage.
- City Park
Yes, not everyone is so lucky, and not every city has such luxurious city parks as Prague, but they do exist. And, as a rule, they look like some of the best properties in the city. And there you can often find amusement parks with rides, cotton candy, and the opportunity to shoot at cans for a plush toy. So why not take advantage of this and return for a couple of hours to a happy, toothless childhood?
Just be careful with “sickening” carousels; green complexion suits few people in photographs 
Photo session of lovers indoors.
- Country house or dacha
What if you or your relatives are the happy owners of a cozy house in the village? You can arrange a wonderful, cozy, warm photo shoot at sunset. You can spray yourself with water from a hose, eat freshly picked carrots from the garden for two, pick apples together, roll in a haystack, or walk through a field of earing wheat. The choice is truly great. And what great photos this will make! I already envy you!
- Cafe Restaurant
I do not recommend spending the entire photo session in a cafe. Firstly, I don’t know how you need to make friends with the staff so that you are allowed a whole hour of professional filming. And, secondly, you will get the same problem as in the studio - it is not clear what to do within four walls.
But the option is to go to some nice place during a photo walk around the city, drink a cup of coffee and take a few cozy hug photos, that’s it!
- At home
I think that this option for a photo shoot for lovers is just it! And if you combine it with a walk in the park or along the streets of your hometown, you will get, perhaps, the most ideal option.
Of course, there may be some preliminary work that needs to be agreed upon by the couple and the photographer. Usually, it may be necessary to buy a couple of blankets to cover a sofa of the wrong color, or to make a small temporary rearrangement of furniture.
The main rule: all interior items used in the photo shoot are closer to the windows, everything unnecessary is in dark corners. And the principles of Scandinavian design work very well for photographs: discreet colors and minimalism.
