Welcome to the Wedding Photography - A Guide to Posing Free Update. In this e-book you will find over 50 images to inspire you and to learn from. Each image has a short description but we urge you to look more closely at each images and determine what makes it so special yourself. The full version which is available HERE has around 500 images for just $19.95. Please order this once you have had a look through this e-book. Look at the composition, the lighting, the angle it was shot from, the positions of the head, arms, hands, legs and other parts of the body. Try to figure out the f-stop used and the focal length of the lens - by doing this you will gain a far deeper understanding than if simply told the settings. Once you have read the book then practice. It is the single most important thing that you can do and you will see yourself improve considerably. Get some photographer friends together and shoot each other. The rewards will certainly be worth it! David Pearce, Editor
JB Sallee
Delicate shots such as this are always popular with the bride and groom. The bride is very gently touching the groom’s face as he looks away. Try placing your subjects in the bottom left- and right-hand corners of your work.
Julie Weisberg
This has an antique feel to it and is intriguing. The way the groom is looking at the camera as she is looking intently at him is what makes it for me, and it works so well with the bare trees behind. There is a sense of innocence coming from the bride.
Julie Weisberg
This is modern, fresh and fun. I love the bride’s red shoes – and what a perfect way to show them, against the green grass.
Todd Laffler
Hotel corridors can be pretty dull, but they are narrow – which lends itself to successful images as the wall leads your eye to the bride. Here, the bride has one hand on her hip and the other extended downwards, holding her bouquet.
Ash & Cheri Violi
The top of the stairs in the house of the bride or of her parents can be quite symbolic. It may be the house she grew up in, with her bedroom upstairs. As she comes down the stairs it may be the first time her father has seen her in her wedding dress. It is worth asking her to pause for a moment so you can take a shot.
Silvana Frammartino
A great idea. Although this car is probably a wreck, you could easily achieve the same effect using the bridal car. Not only does it frame the group but – consistent with the fun image – they have been asked to fool around and make funny faces, showing their personalities.
Todd Laffler
We mentioned earlier how cars lend themselves to reflections, and how you can really work with them. Here, the bride has clearly been asked to sit back in the car whilst the groom looks on. This can also work very well with the bride’s parents.
Yvonne Zemke
Drama has been created in this image by shooting from a low angle and including a cloud-filled sky. Flash has been used to illuminate the couple. The bride is turned sideways to the groom and rests her forehead on him.
Yvonne Zemke
So often we see shots where the photographer has simply asked the bride and groom to lean back in the seats and look at the camera or at each other. Why not mix it up a little and get them to interact in a different way?
Alexey Fedorov
We regularly see images of the couple shot through foliage – and it is such a lovely technique there is nothing wrong with that. Here, Alexey has got down low, and asked the bride to lean forward and look down her arm. The bride smiles naturally as her groom touches her arm and looks at her.
Aljosa Videtic
When was the last time you went outside the venue and shot in? When you can, it is a fantastic opportunity to get a beautiful shot. Here, the large window acts as a natural frame, with the beams in the ceiling leading you into the guests at the back of the room.
Angelica Glass
Soft and gentle colours, and a subtly sexy pose which fills the frame, really make this image work. The groom’s corsage complements the bride’s bird’s nest, and his intense look at the camera completes an effective image.
Angelica Glass
This is such a sexy shot. The bride’s earring picks out the groom’s corsage very well. Angelica has stood pretty close to the bride, and used a medium-length zoom lens, wide open. It is lit with natural light from a large window. Notice the intensity and love she has captured in the groom’s expression.
Ash & Cheri Violi
Beautifully intimate, and a wonderful use of light. The black negative space has been used well. I like the way you can see the angel above the couple, and the light streaming through the veil.
Ash & Cheri Violi
Is this a metaphor for marital bliss, with the white blown-out background signifying a heavenly marriage? The bride is leaning into the groom and curving her back. I like the way the groom has his hands on the bride’s bottom, as this is quite a natural thing for him to do.
Jim Colman
Nice framing by the foliage, and good texture. The wooden bench works well with the autumnal colours. The bride relaxes back against the groom, and her pose is complemented by the groom’s crossed legs She has her shoulder turned into him and wears a cute expression.
Ash & Cheri Violi
You can see from the background that this was created in the reception room. The bride and groom will rarely mind you asking them to pose for another shot after they have finished their meal. They may well have had a glass of champagne or two by this stage as well, so will be a little more relaxed. Have an idea or concept for the shot in mind before asking them. You should have plenty of time during the meal to come up with this, as well as to scout for any other locations you can use.
Todd Laffler
I am always looking for little windows or openings like this, that I can place the couples behind to photograph them. Churches are ideal places but so also are older buildings. It may not be possible to take the shot immediately you spot the location, so make a mental note and go back as soon as you can. Get the couple head-to-head and very gently touching noses.
Yvonne Zemke
What lovely light. Sometimes an image can be as much about the light as about the pose. If you can combine them both, then you have a shot the couple should love. The groom has dipped his head to bring it down to the same level as his bride’s. She has hers leant backwards to rest in his upper cheek. The groom is hugging the bride around the waist, but her more delicate hands and arms cover his, which is flattering.
Ash & Cheri Violi
Low-key images really appeal to me. I love the ambience within them. This is a beautiful portrait. The groom looks very cool and is lit purely by the large dome light. The elegance is enhanced by the reflection of the groom on the wall.
Romeo Alberti
Romeo has taken this image at night, to create a moody and low-key image. The groom has been asked to lean back against the car and adjust his cufflinks whilst looking to one side. He has been lit from the right with an off-camera flash.
Aljosa Videtic
Group shots usually take place in daylight but this is not always possible. It is then up to us to find creative ways to take the image so that it is memorable and well lit. You can clearly see from the long shadows that this was backlit from a low angle as well as front lit. Note the lady on the right-hand side with her arms out.
Ash & Cheri Violi
Country venues frequently have woods within their grounds, so make the effort to use them. Look how the trees have been used here. The men are acting as anchors within the composition, holding the shot together. There is good symmetry between the couples in the foreground and the groupings of three in the background.
Elena Bocharnikova
This was probably taken on a fire escape. These are often overlooked as suitable locations for photographs, though they lend themselves incredibly well due to their twisting nature.
Jim Colman
To get this type of shot, simply ask everyone to strike their own pose. They might need a little encouragement so do not be afraid to provide it. Be silly yourself and build up to it – though spontaneity is best.
Jim Colman
Always a popular shot. Bring the groom to the front and focus on him. You can then select the depth of field required either to retain focus from the groom to the groomsmen or to throw them out of focus.
Jim Colman
I love the panoramic composition here. Look carefully at how everyone is positioned and how interesting it is.
Julie Weisberg
This works so well with the ladies’ legs crossed and twisted to point outwards to the edge of the frame. What really makes this special though is how the bride has been positioned to face her bridesmaids, and then turned around to look at the camera. It is quite different and very effective.
Julie Weisberg
The red line contrasting with the blue corrugated iron wall works well. The variation of the groomsmen’s hands being folded or placed in pockets adds another dimension.
Todd Laffler
Mixing up the way everyone is standing makes for a far more interesting image. By all means take a safe shot initially, but then have some fun. Ask the guys to look cool or to impersonate their favourite movie star.
Alexey Fedorov
If you have the opportunity to take a bride into a field of colourful flowers then do so. Think about how to use the vibrant colours within your image so that they enhance the pose. Look at the position of the bride’s right hand and how it gently cradles her chin. Her left hand is very elegantly helping us to see the curls in her hair.
Viacheslav Azarov
Viacheslav has used an off-camera flash in the alcove, allowing light to fall only on the bride and the oranges. This pose is awkward for the bride but is very effective. She is bending from the hips which are turned ever so slightly away from the camera.
Elena Bocharnikova
Sometimes you cannot see the attention to detail that has gone into an image. In this instance the lampshade has been turned around so the seam is at the back and invisible to the eye. You will find sofas like this in most hotels so learn to use them well and it will increase your repertoire of images which can be taken inside if it is raining.
Lyudmila Averyanova
I love images where someone is in motion – it gives the shot movement and dynamism. Shooting from a low angle, the photographer asked the bride to lift her dress gently and twirl. This gives shape to the dress and we can also see the bride’s shoes – which makes a great alternative to a still life of them!
JB Sallee
I love this emotional image. I also love the processing but would only do it occasionally. I think it is important to keep colour as natural as possible or to create what is possible with film. However I think this image is strong so the processing is not just a way to try and make it better but is actually used to complement it.
Elena Bocharnikova
This was taken with the photographer at the same level as the bride. What might have been an ordinary image has been transformed by the use of the yellow petals. Perhaps these were used for confetti? It appears the bride is resting her chin on her fingers she hardly is at all. This has resulted in her chin being well formed and not squashed.
Romeo Alberti
A simple and elegant pose you can copy anywhere. Both hands are doing something and the bride is probably looking at a friend who has been asked to stand where the photographer wanted the bride to look. By doing this you generate a far more natural smile and expression.
Alexey Fedorov
The first thing that I notice about this image is the beautiful light. It is directional even though the day is overcast . I like the way the car door leads us in and connects us to the groom who is standing in a relaxed and cool position. The image would not be as powerful if the bride was looking at the camera.
Alexey Fedorov
This is a very effective composition. I am a big fan of shooting through objects and letting them naturally frame the couple. Here a railing works perfectly. Pose the couple first and then look for the best option.
Andrey Demotchenko
A very creative image. By focussing on the reflection of the couple our eyes are instantly drawn to them. This is also due to the reflection being the brightest part of the shot.
Kirill Brusilovsky
Black and white images can have a certain elegance to them, especially when shot in good light. It should always be an artistic choice and not simply done to improve a bad image. This is a lovely portrait of the couple gently holding hands, and the bride gently gliding a finger down the groom’s cheek.
Elena Bocharnikova
I am assuming that this is a blanket the couple are lying on, but it could be a large dress! Look at the way the bride rests her hand on the groom’s chest as he leans over and kisses her forehead.
Matthias Richter
Soft, romantic, delicate and beautiful. Study the posing in this image and practise, as it is not easy. The expressions can be all wrong if the couple are not suited to this style or feel awkward. This is where an e-session really comes in useful. Don’t be afraid to show them this image to demonstrate what you wish to achieve.
Jaco Fourie
Jaco has really learnt and understood the HDR process as demonstrated in this image. I love the swathes of material coming down from the ceiling and how the bride has been placed in a very strong pose beneath them. Look at how she is standing: 45째 degrees to the camera, one leg out and the weight on her back foot; arms bent, chin up and looking away. Very dramatic. Note the two chairs in the foreground helping to frame her.
Angelica Glass
Images like this really work for me. Angelica has positioned herself at chest height to the groom, on whom there is just enough light to see his shirt and chin. The bride leans forward with her hands on her knees and looks at the groom. Her eyes have been purposely cropped in-camera to add intrigue.
JB Sallee
Shooting from a low viewpoint adds intrigue and gives a perspective that is different from what we naturally see at head height. The couple have been framed by the lights and the fireplace. The bride has her legs together but has lifted her dress a little to expose her shoes. She has dipped her left shoulder and taken her arm away from her body. The groom is standing in a very casual position with his jacket over his shoulder.
Marko Dušak
The sunlight in this image is spectacular. Taken in the “golden hour” just before sunset, the sun is low in the sky and lights the groom’s face. It bounces back onto the bride’s face from his shirt and the wall behind.
Yvonne Zemke
A beautiful, classic and elegant shot. The couple have been posed to give the appearance of stealing some time alone together. This shot works perfectly in black and white: in particular the black ironwork and the soft, white and flouncy bridal gown. The bride elegantly places her hand on her groom’s shoulder, while he melts into her.
Yvonne Zemke
This image not only shows the groom’s wedding ring but also his watch, which might have been a wedding gift from the bride. He is gently touching his bride’s shoulder with his hand and her cheek with his lips. Note how the bride has her face tilted up, creating a beautiful neckline and also enabling her eye to be visible above the groom’s nose.
Marko Dušak
The way the bride has twisted around and turned back to the camera works well here. As you can see from the shadows, she has been lit from below left.
Marko Dušak
Ask the bride to lie on the bed and have her veil in front of her. Instruct her to hold it very loosely and bring it up to cover her nose, mouth and chin. Have her look up at you and slightly twist her head. Focus on her eyes and ensure you are in great light to really make them stand out.
Marko Dušak
The bride has now been asked to lie down on the sofa, and to rest against the arm whilst looking back. It is amazing the variety of shots that can be taken in one spot by being creative. This is demonstrated in more detail in my posing book.
We hope you enjoy looking at this free inspirational guide to posing that we have compiled. If you would like the full version with around 500 images and descriptions for just $19.99 then please go HERE for an instant download. Inside you will find many examples of group shots, brides, grooms, couples and many poses using the wedding car. We also have many other resources that you might be interested in:Books - All available from www.oliver-cameron.com at low prices. Wedding Photography - A Guide to Posing This pocket book has some 525 images and covers posing at all aspects of a wedding. It has images from 70 of the worlds best wedding photographers and chapters written by the likes of David Beckstead, Chuck Arlund, DQ and David Pearce. It has been universaly praised as being excellent. Wedding Photography - A Guide to Photojournalism This book really takes you into the mind of a world class wedding photojournalist - Kerry Morgan. In the book she goes into detail about all aspects of the day and how to really “feel� an image. It has been regarded as one of the best books available on the subject. Boudoir Photography - A Guide to Excellence. Unklike most books on Boudoir Photography that have images of ladies who could be catwalk models, this pocket book by Tammy Warnock focusses on the fuller figured lady giving a sense of reality. Tammy goes into detail on how to create slimming poses so that you do not need to do post production work apart from contrast, saturations and curves etc. Websites www.seminar-city.com - A new site that will be listing photography seminars and workshops around the world. www.increasedknowledge.co.uk - A site with various photography e-books and software for instant download. www.budgetweddingideas.co.uk - A wedding BLOG that you can advertise on. www.foryoutolove.com - Another wedding BLOG that you can adveertise on.