Whether you are a photographer giving direction to your subject or having someone take your photo the goal is to look natural and not stiff/overly posed in photos. It can be a challenge because if someone is not used to being in front of the camera it can be nerve-wrecking!

I always do my best to put my clients at ease and give them direction so they loosen up and make the process feel effortless!

After being a photographer for over 15 years and having different people capture my own photo I have a few tips up my sleeve so anyone can look natural and have beautiful photos of themselves taken.

In Movement

When you are moving it automatically looks more natural than if you were to hold a static pose. So I tell the entrepreneurs I photograph to do actions such as type on their laptop, cut up veggies, walk down the street, twirl, apply essential oils to their skin, throw flowers in the air etc. There are really endless options! Just think of what action you can do versus what pose to hold.

Candids Moments

This builds off my previous tip. But a great way to capture natural poses in photos is to have someone just be in their element and have the photographer document it. This is what “lifestyle photography” is and I think this approach to brand photography is best to capture natural, authentic and relatable photos that people connect with.

Look Away From The Camera

Looking directly at the camera looks great for some photos, but if it’s the same for every photo it gets repetitive and boring. Looking in different directions, engaging in your environment, looking at what you are holding, or closing your eyes and soaking in the moment are ways to change it up and have more variety in your photos.

Express Emotion

It doesn’t have to be anything crazy or hard, just be happy and laugh, or be thinking pensively, act relaxed/peaceful, goofy or even playful and sexy. There are endless emotions, so be creative and expressive, think about your personality and how you feel and act daily, then those photos will look natural and showcase your authentic qualities.