7 Tips on Posing Same-Sex Couples

As a wedding photographer, your job is to capture the genuine love and emotions between your couple. You’ve spent years perfecting your craft in creating a comfortable and safe space for your couples to express all these feelings. And with the increase in LGBTQ couples and same-sex marriage, it’s super important as a seasoned photographer that you learn and understand this dynamic. Whether you’re shooting a surprise proposal, couple shoot, engagement shoot, or wedding day photos, these tips will help you authentically depict your couple’s raw representation of their love.

Learn Their Names And Pronouns.
Knowing your couple’s name should be a given, but we understand how it could slip your mind or get mixed up with all the new couples you meet in a year. The thing is with a same sex couple, you can’t rely on shouting out “bride” or “groom” when you’re posing. Take the time to learn their names and ask their pronouns. If you for some reason forget a pronoun, saying their name is best. Try saying “Give Ashley a cuddle”, instead of “Give her a cuddle.” 

Photo by Nicole Strykowski Photography.

Be Careful Not To Assume Gender Roles. 

A common mistake a photographer can make is plugging a same-sex couple into traditional masculine and feminine gender role poses. This can make the couple uncomfortable and could possibly affect their mood for the remainder of their photos. Take the time to get to know your couple and their relationship. Don’t be afraid to ask them questions about how they identify. This will show you care and really connect you more deeply to their love story. This will in turn, reflect in their photos. 

Photo by Nicole Strykowski Photography.

Use Prompts To Capture Authentic Emotion.

One of our favorite tips when posing with any couple is to use PROMPTS. Photography prompts are specific instructions you tell the couple to either say or do to each other. Instead of focusing on still, rigid poses, prompts elicit a very candid moment which is the perfect way to capture raw authentic emotion. The average person isn't used to being in front of a camera, so giving your couple things to say and do really helps loosen them up and create natural feeling photos. The best thing is, most prompts are not gender specific and will work for any kind of couple! Here are some of our favorite prompts. Keep in mind, any of these can be adjusted to fit your couple’s personalities.

“Hold hands, bump hips, and switch between looking at each other and looking out at the scenery.”

Photos by Nicole Strykowski Photography.

“Whisper your favorite cereal into your partner's ear, but in a super sexy voice.”

Photo by Nicole Strykowski Photography.

Tip: Don't put your camera down after the prompt is completed! Sometimes the best shot is all the laughter after or how the couple naturally falls into each other.

“Turn and face each other, hold hands, then hold each other however you naturally do.”

Photo by Nicole Strykowski Photography.

Take Physical Similarities or Differences Into Account. 

It’s important to take physical differences or similarities into account, such as height. If your couple is the same height, some traditional poses will not work as well for them and they will need adjustments. The prompt above will give you a feel of how they naturally interact with each other and will give you more ideas of how to continue posing them. For example, one partner will naturally like to put their arms on the waist, while the other on their shoulders. You can repeat this comfortable pose, but with slight adjustments for a different picture. 

Tip: Keep in mind, posing should be open ended suggestions, let your couple fall into place as natural as they can.

Photo by Nicole Strykowski Photography.

Highlight Both Of The Beautiful Wedding Dresses 

If you’re shooting with two brides, chances are they could both be wearing wedding dresses. This is not always the situation as one bride may prefer a jumpsuit or tux. But in the case where you’re shooting two wedding gowns, make sure to pose the brides in ways to break up all the white. 

Tip: Try having one or both of them hold a bouquet, and make sure the background adds contrast so their dresses stand out.

Photo by @michelletachetphotography. Dresses pictured are the Noemi Dress (Left) and the Angela Dress (Right). 

Don't Be Afraid To Adjust Classic Photos To Your Couples Liking.

A First Look is a fan favorite moment for couples on their wedding day. A heterosexual couple's first look usually involves the man turned around waiting for his bride to tap him on the shoulder. Depending on the couple, they may want to still do their first look in that traditional way. But if both of your brides want to be surprised, then do it! Set them up both turned away from each other and count it down so they turn at the same time! 

Photo by @michelletachetphotography. Dresses pictured are the Angela Dress (Front) and the Noemi Dress (Back) 

Get To Know Your Couple For Who They Are.

The couple's love and pride is of course something to highlight and celebrate. However, at the end of the day, they are just like any other couple in love and excited to spend the rest of their lives together. Remember to treat your couple like any other couple. Take the time to get to know them, how they met, what their families are like, and any future plans. This is not about you and your portfolio, this is about making the couple as comfortable as possible to best capture their love for each other. 

Photo by @michelletachetphotography.

Follow us on Instagram @loveafarose for more LGBTQ wedding tips and inspiration!