Why standing side by side might ruin your couple's portrait
In short: Capturing a connection between two people requires more than just pointing a camera. To avoid a disconnected, wide frame, professional photographers suggest specific positioning and lens choices to ensure the subjects look happy, engaged, and flattering rather than awkward or distorted.
Effective couple photography relies heavily on physical proximity and depth. According to Joe, an instructor at the School of Visual Arts in New York, you should avoid posing subjects side by side, as this creates a wide frame that makes the couple appear disconnected. Instead, try placing one person slightly in front of the other. Encouraging subjects to lean into each other can simulate the affection inherent in a relationship, but avoid letting one person's head block the other's face unless the goal is to depict a lack of connection.
Technical choices are just as vital as posing. Using a wide-angle lens can be problematic because it can make subjects appear fat, whereas a short zoom lens that can reach telephoto lengths is often preferred. To ensure both subjects remain sharp, it is recommended to close the aperture to approximately F-8 to provide sufficient depth of field. When subjects are standing, shooting from slightly above their eye line prevents unflattering shots from below the chin, though if they are sitting on the ground, the photographer should get down to their level.
Managing the subjects' energy is the final piece of the puzzle. Photographers should actively talk to their subjects to prevent them from simply staring blankly. While it is common to capture couples looking at each other, it is equally important to direct them to look at the camera. For more playful sessions, introducing props or asking subjects to 'play against type' can result in engaging, fun images that people enjoy. Always shoot a high volume of frames to ensure you capture a moment where both subjects are not blinking simultaneously.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: How to Pose Couples | Portrait Photography
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/society-how-to-pose-couples-portrait-photography.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Society · Latest · A–Z · All topics
