5 Ways to Pose More Naturally for Your Senior Photos

If you've never been in front of a professional camera before or you just don’t like photos, you can end up looking a bit stiff when posing for your senior photos.

It’s totally natural to feel uneasy before your senior photoshoot, but you still want your images to look natural and highlight your personality and style.

Here's where we come in. Our job at your senior session is to help you look and feel your best. Let's start with a few tips before your session, so you can walk into your session a little less nervous.

Keep It Light-Hearted

One way to feel more relaxed throughout your session is to talk to your photographer. We try to start this process right away, with lots of communication and ideas. Get comfortable, be a little silly, and have some fun. The result is photos that look more authentic. Your photographer is there to get to know you and make sure you enjoy yourself. If you haven’t found a photographer yet, make sure you choose someone you feel comfortable with. Many will offer a consultation, which is a great way to see if you mesh well together.

Lean Back Slightly

This is a very slight lean and should be done from your waist. This minor movement stops your body from tensing, making you look more natural in your photos. Yes, it’s going to feel weird at first but don’t overthink it.

Lean Into the Frame

Another way to make your poses more natural is to lean into the frame. Again, this needs to be very slight, almost as if you’re leaning in to listen to someone telling a story. If you had to try doing this right now, you would see how your posture and demeanor changes.

Keep Your Hands Busy

This is something that we focus on during all of our AFH sessions. It’s only when you’re standing in front of a camera that you realize your arms and hands aren’t doing anything. To stop your poses from becoming awkward, keep your hands busy. Place your hands in your pockets, twirl a finger around a lock of hair, or use some props. We often have you play with a ring (even if there's no ring). What you do with your hands depends on the photo style and story you’ve decided on.

Get Moving

Not every photo needs to be posed. In fact, some of the best "poses" are when you're moving. Walk, spin, laugh, lay on the grass, do whatever makes you feel most like yourself. If you’re not sure what to do, ask your photographer for some guidance – they are there to help.

When you book AFH Media for your senior photos, we don't expect you to know how to pose, smile, or look natural in a photo.

It’s important not to overthink your session. When you get too nervous about doing the right thing, the anxiety will automatically affect how you look in your photos. Do something that will help you feel more relaxed before your session and let your photographer help you with the rest.

Are you ready to book your senior photo session? Now is the time.