How to Pose for Wedding Pictures

Wedding photos are highly cherished and provide the perfect way to remember the happiest day of your life. Unfortunately, many brides have doubts about how to look their best in those timeless keepsakes. The good news is, you don't have to stress over this issue. A few tips, some confidence, and the help of an experienced wedding photographer will ensure that you fall in love with your wedding pictures.

Posing for wedding pictures is a fairly simple science. There are tricks for improving the appearance of your face and body, and the general atmosphere in almost any setting. Commit these simple steps to memory, and cross one additional item off of your pre-wedding to-do list.

Face the Music: Maximizing Your Beauty in Wedding Photos

The first and most important thing you need to do is give a radiant natural smile. Forcing a smile is not only obvious, but it causes your eyes to look squinty and your cheeks to seem puffy.

To elongate your neck, extend your chin forward with a slight downward tilt. Many assume this will cause a double chin (even on the slimmest of figures), but it will add depth and character to your face. To combat any possible unsightly chin bulge, firmly press your tongue against the roof of your mouth. Also be sure to avoid facing the camera head-on. Angling your face will add shadows and intrigue to your face, making it seem slimmer and more captivating in wedding pictures.

Put Your Best Foot Forward: Posing for Wedding Photography

To avoid having your body seem misshapen or unsightly in your wedding photos, be sure to maintain good posture as much as possible. Bad posture will almost certainly ruin any head-to-toe picture. Also keep in mind the rule of perspective: whatever is closest to the camera will appear larger in the photos. 

Practice the "red carpet pose" by facing the camera with your hips at a 45-degree angle, one foot pointed at the camera, and your weight resting on your back leg. Another trick is to cross your legs at the calves, especially in front-facing shots. This will elongate your legs and naturally narrow your hips.

Personality is Priceless: Taking Beautiful Wedding Pictures

One of the best things you can do to enhance the beauty of your wedding photos is to portray a genuinely sparkling personality. Do not lose yourself in trying to strike the perfect pose; your pictures will end up seeming forced and insincere. Study pictures of professional models to identify the poses and facial expressions that will come most naturally to you.

When posing with a group, such as with bridesmaids or family, be careful to avoid mimicking the pose of the person next to you. This will help you stand out from the crowd. Feel free to consult your wedding photographer to identify the best pose for each shot.

You will likely have many candid photos taken of you throughout the day, so be mindful of your facial expressions. You can expect breathtaking wedding pictures if you remember