Progressive Posing
What exactly is progressive posing? It’s a simple method, or should I say it’s a efficient system for getting lots of important images in a limited time.
The Time Crunch
Like other wedding photographers, I am always up against the wall when it comes to time management with couples. In fact, at Disney we only get about twenty minutes to provide our clients with their beautiful yummy images.
So, for my weddings, I designed a specific sequence of images (we’ll look at this in the next section) that keep the couple and the lighting in one place but take the couple’s images to a new level in terms of impact.
MINIMIZE CHANGES, MAXIMIZE IMPACT
I see a lot of photographers set up one nice image, shoot it, then pick all the lighting and move to a totally new location. Most likely the couple loved the location or maybe it’s a spot that means something to them. Now your already changing time management.
You don’t want to run out of time way before you have all the images you’d like or need.
Instead, stop and think of all the different varieties you can produce with just subtle changes, and different lens choices.
The couple may have already expressed that they may be nervous, or not a big fan of posing, or may just want a couple of posed shots and then want you to just record the day as it happens.
That can be done, but in my own personal case, I’m not a photojournalistic photographer. My style is Tradition and Glamour. What puzzles me sometimes is I know the couple saw my work on the web. Hardly any photojournalist work is on it.
Prompting
Getting back to posing, prompting is how I break the ice with the couple. I start with a very simple and fun pose.
I feel if you start off with a fun image, it will take the pressure off the entire session. As you can see the bride is directly looking at me and my camera. Lots of expression and fun in her eyes. Notice the groom is doing something with his hands. (Holding up the veil). You really can’t see the grooms face and that’s what I’m looking for, it’s all about her. Next, take a moment and show the couple the image. I guarantee they will do what you want them to do. This is where prompting comes in. As I’m showing them the first image, I’m explaining to them that all I want them to do is have fun with each other. Close your eyes and feel the love for each other, smile and don’t smile, and please don’t look at my camera.
Check out what they did in the next two images on their own.
Now I’m playing the shot off with him. Both closing the eyes but always watching what’s next. His hands still holding the veil.
Lens choice is the 70-200 mm lens. Vertical and leaving plenty of room. Quickly get his confidence going and show him the image and now totally back away and let them do whatever they want to do. I will usually get about 10-15 great images.
The groom still holding up the veil but now it’s time for the kiss. Eyes still closed and were off to the races.
Try a Different Lens
We all have different lenses, too. So why not push yourself? I not only use the 70-200mm but I have actually used a 14mm to make some images look very glamorous like if I have lots of columns or a really cool building. Next time you have a photoshoot pose them, photographing them with 3 different lens. See what you come up with! Here’s a suggestion, start with a 24-105 lens for a full length shot, then switch to a 14mm or 15mm lens and get down low for a totally different look. Then finish with a 70-200mm lens and go in for tight shots – maybe over the groom’s shoulders into the bride’s eyes, or just the bouquet, or even a great shot of just their hands and rings. It’s all there. You just have to look for it.
Look carefully at what the couple is doing in Image #4 (left) she’s looking away but the look on the groom his expression is breathtaking. In Image #5 (right) both eyes are turned away from the camera but love is in the air. Be aware of his in images like this. Grooms sometimes leave the hand dangling or don’t take the hand our of the pocket I will make sure his hand is giving her security and strength so have the hand down at the lower back.
Use the lens to tell the story. In Image #6 (left) I’m just about cropping little into the grooms head but leaving lots of room at the bottom. It’s giving more impact to the veil and more power to the image in my opinion. I switched to now doing verticals rather than a horizontal. In Image #7 (right) I’m now even tighter. Looking for expression. She has wonderful body language too. Her head is in the feminine side over the shoulder. He’s in a perfect profile position.
Let me explain about Body language especially with the upper body. I learned not only from my mentors Don Blair and Monte Zucker how to be efficient in posing but what are the best two poses. A double profile is always my go to pose. So in this image #8 (left) you can see how powerful it can be. Sometimes the groom is shorter than the bride but I will do my best to make him taller.
Having the groom taller will help him if he gives her a kiss on the forehead or on the lips. Because I’m letting them feel the moment and not telling them what to do “Prompting”. You will maybe develop a situation where her hair is blocking her eye’s. It could come back to get you, so I will sometimes have my assist go over and move the hair to make the image better.
Hand posing can sometime make or break an image. In this case, I lucked out with his hand. A groom blocking the bride’s face can be troubling. Again, if the hand is blocking her face totally, I will instruct my assistant to help him lower his hand so you have a clear shot of the bride’s face.
I went in this particular image and helped the bride with her hand pose. Simply have her place her arm inside his arm and left it till the hand is touching his hand. It’s better then her dangling and not seeing it at all. The fingers are also more pleasing and they now have nice direction.
When I first started this article I talked about finding out what the couple wants and what makes them more comfortable when it’s time to do the intimate photo’s. After spending a lot of time with this couple I decide to add an image I thought they would like. It’s one of my favorites and the veil was perfect for the shot. The pose is a double profile but now I simply place the veil over the couple’s heads. Once you got this shot, remember what I said step back and watch there may be a kiss or too.
This image is totally set up. Why not get hugs and kisses. It’s time for the reception! For the last 20 minutes you have created images that will last a lifetime!
I hope you enjoyed this article? My next article will be Seven Simple Steps in Posing and Lighting.
Please check out my Facebook Pages…Rick Ferro-RickFerroPhotography-Workshops for Lighting and Posing!
For more info my email is: rick@rickferro.com Special Thanks to www.shutterbugnews.com
In 1993, Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, approached Rick to create for Disney a wedding photography department. Rick became the Senior Wedding Photographer for Disney and trained their photographers. Rick was a photographer for ABC’s “Weddings of a Lifetime” and the “Regis & Kathie Lee Show.” Rick currently has photographed “Weddings of a Lifetime” for Disney’s “Free Form” channel.
Rick has owned and operated over five photography studios and operated a photography concession for an international cruise line for three years.
In 1999 Rick wrote his first book, “Creative Techniques For Lighting and Posing”, published by Amherst Media. Since then, Rick has had over eight books published in multiple languages.
Because of Rick’s experience as a photographer, author and teacher, he is asked to speak at professional guilds, conferences and conventions and has taught in the United States, Canada and internationally in the UK, Scotland, and Ireland. Rick currently shares his insights and techniques on social media.
Rick is a Lifetime Member of WPPI, Wedding & Portrait Photographers International, and is a member of PPA, Professional Photographers of America. Rick has an Associate of Science Degree and is a WPPI Master Photographer. Rick has received his PPA Master Photographer & Craftsman degree. He has also earned the honor of his images meriting the PPA Loan Collection and Showcase Collection. In 2006 Rick received, along with his wife, the United Nations Leadership Award from the International Photographic Council at the United Nations in New York City.
Currently Rick is a Lead Photographer and Trainer for Walt Disney World’s Fine Art Department.
- Overexposing and Using An Eye Lighter - September 20, 2023
- Progressive Posing - August 12, 2023
