How to Pose Naturally for your Engagement Photos, Family Photos, etc. now on Cottage Hill

When you are having your engagement photos or even family photos taken, the photographer, or, if you are fortunate, a stylist, may direct you towards movements or poses to capture the moment.

If you book true professionals, the photographer or stylist will provide direct instruction (for example, "Walk to that tree holding hands,") where you have the freedom to 'make it your own.' That means, perhaps even without realizing it, you and your love (or loves) will automatically walk to the tree in such a way only you can. Just imagine if you told ten people to walk to a tree, they would all walk differently with a different gait, looking at different things and a different speed.

Sometimes though (if you're like my husband and me), it can take some time to get comfortable to walk to a tree holding hands...with someone holding a camera following behind you. You may just naturally be camera shy, which is OK. However, your particular, organic movement can be lost as you overanalyze how you're holding hands or what exactly the photographer may be capturing from your backside.

All of which are major distractors filtering into your mind, affecting your disposition, your photographs when you receive them and your overall experience.

What can you do about it? Take your time. Often, sessions are booked by the hour but do not worry about time. If you need a few minutes just to chat with the photographer and loosen up, walk around and getting used to the third party, take it. Your imagery will develop into much more natural moments - moments you will want to keep, print and frame.

More about the photographs from photographer Mary Claire Cook: "This shoot speaks to me because it embodies my philosophy as an artist. I seek to capture real, beautiful & genuine moments. This couple wasn’t posed or directed (in the traditional sense of stagnant holds or insensible movement patterns). Their admiration for each other, their laid-back personalities and their passion for the music they make is natural and infused into each image."

All photographs were taken at the Forage and Fern workshop hosted by Magnolia Rouge and tutored by photographer Tec Petaja. These featured images are by Mary Claire Photography who used The Find Lab for her film scans. Type A Society served as stylist for this experience with floral designs by Ponderosa and Thyme. Jess Wilcox provided Hair and Makeup services and you can learn more about the couple at Tigers in the Sky.