As same-sex weddings continue to rise, photographers are increasingly asked about how to pose LGBT couples for their photos. Fortunately, there are many simple tips that can help same-sex couples look natural and radiant on camera.
For example, asking them to hold hands can create beautiful, romantic images. You can also have them pinch each other’s cheeks to make the image feel playful and cute.
1. Make them feel comfortable
It’s important that your clients feel comfortable in front of the camera. This is true of any couple photo session, but it’s especially important for LGBTQ+ couples. After all, they’re still in a world where many people don’t recognize their right to love and marry the person of their choosing.
To make them feel more comfortable, try getting to know them a little better before the shoot. Ask them questions about their relationship and observe how they interact together. This can help them relax in front of the camera and allow their natural chemistry to shine through.
Also, don’t be afraid to try some different posing options. Most wedding photographers will tell you to pose a bride and groom in traditional ways, but these poses don’t always apply to same-sex couples. Instead, try directing your couple to do certain things like “snuggle up like you’re at home on movie night” or “tell each other what you love about each other.” This can help them feel more confident and relaxed, which will show in their photos.
2. Don’t overdo it
When shooting a same-sex couple, it’s important not to overdo the poses. If you do too much posing, it can take away from the natural connection between the couple and make the photos seem forced and unnatural.
Try to keep things simple by using low-pressure posing techniques like slow, gentle touch. For example, asking your couple to rub noses or gently hold hands can capture a sweet, romantic moment. Alternatively, you can use the environment as your frame and invite your couple to interact with it, like in the fire pit photo below by Nicole Nero.
If you’re accustomed to photographing cisgender, heterosexual couples, it can be easy to fall into gender roles-based expectations of how a couple “should” look in photographs. However, your job as a professional photographer is to find each couple’s unique spark of connection and capture it on camera. That’s why it’s important to take physical similarities or differences into account when posing LGBTQIA couples. After all, love is love no matter who you are or how you identify! So don’t be afraid to challenge your assumptions and try something new!
3. Keep it natural
One of the best ways to create beautiful photos is to keep it natural. It’s important to remember that some people have a hard time accepting same-sex couples, so it’s not a good idea to try to force them into poses that feel forced.
For example, if you’re photographing a couple who are both wearing dresses, don’t try to make them touch each other. Instead, ask them to gently rub their noses together or hold hands. This will allow you to capture a sweet and intimate moment while still making your photos feel natural.
Similarly, if you’re taking a portrait of a gay couple and their parents, be sure to keep it natural. If your clients’ parents don’t support their relationship, it will show in their photos and could be awkward and uncomfortable for them. Instead, try to rework the family photo session so that everyone is comfortable.
By following these simple posing tips, you can take beautiful photos of gay couples that will truly shine. Just remember to keep it natural and have fun!
4. Don’t pose them too much
Gay couples can still get uncomfortable with being the center of attention, even when they’re in love. It’s important to keep your direction light and guide them into poses that will bring out their beauty and connection.
Many of the same posing techniques that work for heterosexual couples will work just as well for same-sex couple photos. However, it’s also important to avoid some cliches. For example, don’t make your clients stare deeply into each other’s eyes – this tends to look forced and fake. Instead, try directing them to look off in the distance, down at their hands or flowers, or just out into the general area where you’re shooting.
Another way to add a touch of creativity and intimacy to your shoot is to encourage movement. Whether it’s rocking back and forth, hopping or swaying, whispering in each other’s ear, or simply running their fingers through each other’s hair, a little movement goes a long way to making an image stand out from the rest. It’s also a great way to show your couples how much you care about them and their relationship!
5. Don’t overthink it
When it comes to posing gay couple photos, there’s nothing wrong with keeping things simple. A kiss on the cheek, a hand-hold, or even just a gaze of love can make for some beautiful photos. It’s also important to avoid overthinking it too much – just go with the flow and let your couple shine!
When photographing a same-sex couple, it’s easy to think that you need to change the way that you pose them. However, it’s important to remember that they’re still just a couple in love and that their connection is the most important thing to capture.
One last tip for posing same-sex couples is to take their physical similarities or differences into account. For example, if your couple is both wearing dresses, consider adding some small details such as sashes or bouquets to break up the large blocks of color in the frame. This will help to keep your photos from looking too cluttered and busy. Also, be sure to ask your couple about what they plan on wearing for their wedding ceremony so that you can incorporate any details that will come in handy.