As a family photographer and someone who offers Fall mini sessions to clients once a year, it’s imperative that I have a set of poses not only for the full family shot but specifically for the individual kiddo portraits and the sibling.
Here are my go to poses for you to study and try at your next shoot. I promise you, you’ll do them every session from here on out! *each pose has variations to it in order to give a variety of photographs to your client.
The “did you call my name?” pose
This is my absolute favorite pose for individual children portraits. These shots are always frame worthy and have such an organic yet editorial feel (with out really being editorial).
For this pose I direct the child to stand with their back facing me. The first direction I tell them is when I call their name to keep their feet planted in the same spot but to turn their head around to look at me. Then, I tell them to do it again but this time to skip away from me and when I call for them to look back at me.
If they turn their whole body to look, go with it!
2. The “Tag, You’re It!” Pose
For siblings, sometimes it’s hard to capture the perfect shot where they’re both smiling and looking at the camera. So to get them in the mood to want to even smile for you, you’ve got to let the PLAY! And in doing so, you’ve diversified the clients gallery with some in-between fun lifestyle shots they will cherish.
I like to start off by saying “Are you guys ready to play a little game?” I’ve never had a kid say no! I tell them we are playing tag and then I pick who’s it. They run and frolic after each other with smiles radiating! If this is a family session with no siblings or only one kid old enough to run then have mom or dad chase them.
A variation of this pose would be to have them hold hands while racing each other.
3. The “Fit Like A Puzzle Piece” Pose
This pose will look different for each family and it’s the perfect direction to give the kids that will result in the most natural looking photos. Here’s what I say: “Alright kiddos, it’s time to fit like a puzzle piece! Grab your sister (brother, cousin or whomever is there) and give them a nice gentle hug where you fit together just like a puzzle.”
I don’t do very much directing from there as they usually hug their sibling(s) how they are most familiar doing so. The result is always so cute & natural. *A variation of this pose is to have them look at each other.
Remember to do this pose AFTER you let the kiddos run around and play tag or chase.
