Posed is not a dirty word.

Posed is not a dirty word

I don’t know quite when and how it happened, but somehow in photography,  ‘posed’ became synonymous with:

‘awkward’

‘Stiff’

‘Fake’

Natural and candid became the buzzwords.

As a result, pretty much EVERYONE will ask for ‘more natural and candid’ photos.  On top of that, us photographers are also guilty of using the word natural in our marketing material like it’s the only word that exists!   

But when I ask clients to see their examples of what they want - the images are posed.  

And this is where the disconnect is. 

What people are rightfully rejecting is the idea of BADLY POSED photography.    

They want to look comfortable.  They want direction on where to stand and what to do.  They want their kids to look like themselves. They want connection rather than everyone standing around like they're waiting for a passport photo at Australia Post.  

They're describing how they want the finished photograph to FEEL.  

Good posing isn’t just “stand there and smile”.   I’ll move dad because his head is blocking the light on mum.  I’ll tell mum to turn her head before she looks down so she doesn’t get the double chin she wants to avoid.  I’ll get everyone sitting down in a flattering position and THEN let them be themselves - they can cuddle, tickle the kids etc.  

The real moments and real interactions happen within the posing framework.   I’m only ever going to be one side of the photo equation - each family still makes it their own.

Newborns…..

Now newborn images get a little more nuanced, because sometimes people mean “I don’t want props” when they ask for natural.  They want blankets, texture and simplicity.

Those images are still heavily posed, sometime even more than the prop images!   

Simple doesn’t mean unposed.

I will have positioned their hands, turned their face towards the light, curled their legs, adjusted their fingers, curled their bodies so they look like they’re still in the womb. 

Not a single solo image I have taken of a baby is unposed.

So if you're booking a session with me, you don't actually need to know whether your style is natural or candid or raw or lifestyle or any of the words us photographers throw around.

Just show me the photographs you love. Tell me what YOU like about them as best you can.

Maybe it's the connection, or the simplicity, the colours.   Maybe you love that everyone looks relaxed. Maybe you hate props. Maybe you actually love a beautifully posed baby but didn't realise that's what you were looking at.

You tell me how you want your photographs to feel. It's my job to know how to create that.

Through…..posing!