BEST Natural Posing Ideas for a Beach Elopement
Here are some of the best natural posing prompt ideas for any beach elopement, wedding, or session that keep clients engaged and comfortable! Shooting at the beach can feel limiting and intimidating! From the unpredictable weather, wind, fast sunsets, little to no shade, and redundance in the big open space. Beach photography can see like challenge.
I love a challenge though…
In the past I have found myself blanking on ideas to keep my posing fresh and natural during beach sessions. How can I make one of the most photographed locations innovative and still reflect my clients love and connection? Pose prompts on the beach can be still or interactive. Let’s go through some of the best natural posing ideas to keep clients comfortable, and make your photos interesting all at the same time!
Get them moving for that natural laughter!
Become a fly on the wall! Let your clients walk away and towards you, run alongside the water, or help each other up and down the sandy hills/rocks. Starting small puts your couple at ease because they feel less pressure to know what to do. Help build confidence in your clients through the posing, and starting with close ups can easily intimidate. Especially if your clients are nervous or aren’t in front of the camera often!
Details! Details! Details!
ALL our clients have details! There is always something to capture that isn’t just your clients being lovey. Hands or florals are an easy and natural way to document connection, simply because it completes a story. A big aspect that separates one photographer from another is their ability to see the details. Having your clients fixing their clothes or touching their hair is great way to train yourself towards documenting and not just photographing. You can become more observant the more you practice having your clients do simple tasks.
Sweet nothings and cheek kisses!
This is one most of us know and love, but it’s a staple! Beaches can be so serene and calm, but don’t forget to caption the fun! Make your clients laugh at each other by whispers or tiny cheek kisses. Be silly, do funny lifts or dips, and let them be kidlike. Natural poses are one’s people typically fall into at sessions. Facing one another, hugging, or laying together in the sand. Once you master some of these posing ideas, you can build on that knowledge and confidently use your creativity more and more.
Create Tension!
I know the initial reaction to a posing tip with the word “tension” seems contradictory! Hear me out! I LOVE a good moment that is just stationary, editorial, or thoughtful. Adding these dynamic shots to your beach sessions really have the “cool” factor! Moments where the couple is separated slightly, looking away from each other, or where the focus is on the environment will make you stand out from a crowd. For more unique posing ideas check out my other blog post Untraditional Poses for Badass Couples!
When in doubt, find the light poses!
Whenever I arrive to a session, elopement, or wedding, the first thing I look for is the light! What is the light doing, and how can I make this interesting? (If there isn’t light because it’s overcast and moody, you can create the sun through editing) Good light can make anything look epic when you know how you want to capture it! The best tip for more natural posing ideas during an elopement or wedding is to MAKE MISTAKES AND EXPERIMENT! Use what doesn’t work to figure out what will for you and your clients!
Don’t forget to follow for everyday inspiration and more examples of natural posing ideas for beach elopements or sessions on Instagram! Thank you stopping by, and happy shooting!
Big Sur CA Elopement
Model + Styling by Hans Happenings www.hanshappenings.com Dried florals Idel Wild Floral www.idlewildfloral.com Dress from Daughters of Simone www.daughtersofsimone.com