Poses - Ever get stuck?!

[michellegportraits]

I've had many photo shoots with families and kids, and no matter how many other photographers give me inspiration there are inevitably those days where I feel like I'm repeating some poses over and over. Do you ever feel like "Ok what next? What else can I do with this family?" Just wondering what you guys do when you're feeling "photo-blocked".

Michelle G. Portraits

[SweetJem]

had that same thing happened to me. First of all, i really don't know how to make them pose. Recently i did a shoot with a friend and it was at night..and it was freezing. we both kinda got stuck on what pose she should do next, so i just kinda asked her whatever she wants to do its up to her...and she kinda did not know either..hehehehe

so, i asked her just to act natural and forget that i'm there taking her photos to make it look a lil candid too.

[pakyooh]

Whenever I feel I'm running out of ideas for poses, I try to step away for a minute or two just to clear my head. If nothing comes to mind, I try to look for a new area, new surroundings usually freshen things up.

But I think even the pros get that sometimes.

[faeriegodess612]

If your going the traditional route,... try switching it up by going a lil goofy. If your subjects are willing, try doing poses with a sort of theme. For instance, Charlies Angels, or See no Evil, Hear no Evil, Speak no Evil. It should get them smiling if not laughing, and that can make for great photos. Have fun with it,... let them submit ideas as well. Thats just my thoughts,.....( Now wonders why I'm NOT getting into portraiture. )

[cagg1120]

I would try to go candid. Posing is always a difficulty because one can only think of so many ideas. I think the two earlier replies have the right ideas in setting up poses. I think making it funny, unique in angle, weird, can always inspire you to do something new. Usually though going candid gives you much better opportunities to depict something new and natural.

[gunner19]

Originally Posted by cagg1120

I would try to go candid. Posing is always a difficulty because one can only think of so many ideas. I think the two earlier replies have the right ideas in setting up poses. I think making it funny, unique in angle, weird, can always inspire you to do something new. Usually though going candid gives you much better opportunities to depict something new and natural.

Agree. (: Sometimes candid photos turn out nicer than you think it's gonna be. And they are more natural shots

[McB!]

Originally Posted by faeriegodess612

If your going the traditional route,... try switching it up by going a lil goofy. If your subjects are willing, try doing poses with a sort of theme. For instance, Charlies Angels, or See no Evil, Hear no Evil, Speak no Evil. It should get them smiling if not laughing, and that can make for great photos. Have fun with it,... let them submit ideas as well. Thats just my thoughts,.....( Now wonders why I'm NOT getting into portraiture. )

I would agree with this.

What I've found useful, especially for group shots, is to get them to do several different facial expressions in quick succession, while continuously shooting e.g. "Give me your angry face, give me your frightened face. Now give me your sexy face." It makes for some silly shots (the interpretation of "sexy face" differs wildly from person to person), but you're practically guaranteed to have them laughing by the end, and that's when you can get some great looking natural shots.

Obviously, if you're shooting kids, you wouldn't ask for their sexy faces. That would just be creepy.

[NgaiHill]

I think knowing your subjects/posers helps too. I photographed a friends kids last year(1 boy, 2 girls, eldest is 10) and struggled with group poses. Then I thought about the fact that the kids are really good together - they play together and are really close, they get on well with each other. So I had them do some poses that showed that closeness - group hug, lying on top of each other, pulling the same funny face together etc. Some of the best shots were the ones that show that closeness, you can't fake it or force it.

[BigFuzzy]

Something that ALWAYS has worked for me (luckily) is jumping.
It gets the blood flowing and muscles relaxed and gets people from feeling self-conscious.
Granted, there will always be those that don't like it, especially larger folk, but for the most part, it's always helped me, particularly when there are kids involved.
Even works in more formal settings such as weddings (in my humble opinion):
It helped relax the groom who was very nervous about having his photos taken.





Then, after that, many more relaxed poses come naturally to the subjects to the point you often don't have to guide them.

Good luck!

[pakyooh]

Love those two images..

Originally Posted by BigFuzzy

Something that ALWAYS has worked for me (luckily) is jumping.
It gets the blood flowing and muscles relaxed and gets people from feeling self-conscious.
Granted, there will always be those that don't like it, especially larger folk, but for the most part, it's always helped me, particularly when there are kids involved.
Even works in more formal settings such as weddings (in my humble opinion):
It helped relax the groom who was very nervous about having his photos taken.





Then, after that, many more relaxed poses come naturally to the subjects to the point you often don't have to guide them.

Good luck!