Engagement Session Posing Tips!

Easy Engagement Posing Guide!

Hi! Welcome to my blog post about posing. Oh, the dreaded posing. “I don’t know how to pose” “What do I do with my hands?” Can you make me look thinner?” “Me and my fiancé aren’t much of picture takers, can you help us?'"

You might not be aware of how frequently I encounter this scenario. The reality is that 90% of the couples I work with fall into one of two categories: either they lack experience in having professional photos taken together, or they've attempted such sessions without much success.

I trust that the following pointers will serve as a valuable guide, enabling you to enjoy a more enhanced, relaxed, and captivating engagement photoshoot experience.


Organic Interaction: This aspect holds immense significance. The vitality of natural responses and interactions cannot be overstated, as they infuse vitality into the images. Our role as photographers encompasses creating an atmosphere in which both of you feel exceptionally at ease, thereby facilitating the emergence of those authentic reactions. Frequently, this can be achieved well before the actual engagement session. Developing a personal rapport with your photographer is crucial. Allow them to familiarize themselves with both of you on a deeper level. The extent of personal connection rests with your discretion, yet embracing this approach will undoubtedly alleviate much of the potential awkwardness and timidity on the day of the shoot. Through prior conversations and interactions, you, your partner, and your photographer will have shared conversations, laughter, and insights, erasing barriers. Consequently, when the engagement session unfolds, the inhibitions are lowered, paving the way for unforced, spontaneous reactions. Capturing candid instances of laughter, exchanged glances, and tender gestures often culminate in exquisitely beautiful and authentic photographs.

Graceful Movement: Taking leisurely strolls together offers an excellent avenue for capturing captivating photographs and forging meaningful moments. Walk hand in hand with your partner, maintaining the same natural stride you would during a romantic date night or while savoring the scenery in an urban setting or by the seaside. We, as photographers, might propose that you engage in this stroll as if our presence were unknown. Looking away from the camera is key. Fix your eyes upon each other or let your vision wander to the right or left. Infuse your walk with shared laughter, adding an element of levity to the moment. These actions can yield images that exude relaxation and intimacy, while infusing dynamic movement into the visual narrative.

Expressions of Affection: Embraces and hugs introduce a captivating dimension to the posing sequence. Ranging from tender hugs to more fervent and impassioned embraces, they offer a spectrum of emotions to convey. Engage in face-to-face embraces, varying from gentle to more intimate, or opt for an element of surprise by sneaking up behind your fiancé for an unexpected hug. These actions undoubtedly infuse the imagery with authenticity and unscripted reactions, enriching the collection with genuine warmth and affection.

Intimate Gestures: Amid your embrace, with faces turned toward each other, a suggestion arises: let your foreheads meet in a gentle touch. A word of caution—while excitement might tempt a less-than-ideal headbutt, let's certainly avoid that scenario, for a touch of humor! This pose notably exudes tenderness and a profound sense of connection. Moreover, it holds a realm of possibilities for variation, allowing it to transform into a multitude of distinct stances, guided effortlessly by the instructions from your photographer.

Confiding Whispers: A personal favorite of mine! Sharing whispered words with your partner has the potential to conjure enchanting moments. It could be sweet endearments that bring a smile to your lips, or perhaps a cheeky remark that sparks laughter. The beauty lies in the unpredictability—what transpires is a genuine cascade of smiles and laughter, borne from these intimate exchanges.

Unified Presence: Assuming a side-by-side stance holds the potential to underscore the essence of your partnership and solidarity. Moreover, it has the ability to exude an aura of being a "power couple." The spacing between you both is flexible, and the option to hold hands or adopt individual poses is at your disposal. This single pose has a remarkable capacity for transformation, capable of yielding a diverse array of 50 distinct poses, ingeniously guided by your photographer's directives.

Elevating Euphoria: Introducing a playful touch, this pose introduces a dynamic and exuberant element to the imagery. To initiate, slide your arms beneath your partner butt and lift them gently off the ground. In this pose, you may maintain the stance while she gazes downward for a tender kiss or turns her face toward the camera. Alternatively, a spin can be initiated, igniting joy and laughter. Regardless of the choice, this pose undoubtedly generates a series of spirited and enjoyable visuals.

Shared Seating: Whether settled on a bench, a cozy blanket, or amidst the grass, these postures pave the way for cuddling, leaning, and hand-holding. Particularly resonant with the romantically inclined, this pose captures an aura of gentle, tender, and affectionate chemistry between you both.

Intimate Gazes: This concept seamlessly dovetails with the forehead touch pose. Instead of physically connecting foreheads, engage in a profound exchange of gazes, locking eyes with a purpose. Allow yourselves to delve into the depths of your connection, contemplating the significance of your presence together and the depth of your bond. This contemplative connection often elicits endearing smirks, infectious giggles, and ultimately, tender, affectionate kisses.

Harmonizing with the Locale: Capitalize on the surroundings at your disposal. The chosen location holds purpose, reflecting your intention. Thus, leverage the environment to its fullest potential during the session. Engage with the backdrop, seamlessly integrating it into the narrative. Whether tracing the shoreline, meandering through a garden, or venturing amidst the urban landscape, interact with the setting to encapsulate the essence of the moment.

Incorporating Significance: The introduction of purposeful props and accessories adds depth to your session by encompassing elements that mirror your interests and relationship. This may entail items such as a champagne bottle and glasses, a snapshot from the inception of your journey, or even a carefully chosen gift or surprise for your significant other. These inclusions not only embellish the visual narrative but also encapsulate the layers of meaning within your bond.

Elegant Silhouettes: Harnessing backlighting to craft exquisite silhouette shots introduces a captivating dynamic to your collection. The essence of these shots lies in discerning the outlines of your hair, facial features, and physique in the shadows, while the backdrop remains clear and distinguishable. This technique, while captivating, might not be best suited for capturing moments like kissing. Instead, opt for a subtle lean towards each other, creating the illusion of a kiss without actual lip contact. Maintain the distance to prevent your noses from overlapping, and most importantly, avoid puckering your lips. Ensuring a slight gap between your bodies is essential. Your photographer's expertise will come into play to discern the opportune moment and location for creating stunning silhouette shots.

Interchanging Postures: Embrace the concept of dynamic posing by alternating between stances where one partner is standing while the other is seated. This deliberate juxtaposition injects a fresh sense of variety and visual intrigue into the session, enhancing its overall appeal.

Elevated Environments: Seek out elevated surfaces such as staircases, rocks, hill crests, or mountain slopes to craft visually dynamic angles. These perspectives can range from distant shots that encompass the surroundings, evoking a sense of exclusivity, to convey that "we are the only ones here" sentiment. Particularly in grand locations featuring mountain ranges, oceans, or expansive fields of trees, this approach can add a remarkable "wow" element to your engagement session gallery. Photographers should engage in the exploration of diverse angles, encompassing high, low, and eye-level viewpoints to curate a spectrum of captivating shots. Fuse the poses detailed earlier with this concept to foster a harmonious blend of artistic possibilities.

Joyful Interactions: Embrace poses that kindle laughter and playfulness, for they serve as a conduit for revealing your individual personalities and the dynamics of your relationship. Through these light-hearted instances, whether it's sharing a hearty laugh, engaging in piggyback rides, or indulging in playful teasing, the camera captures candid, unrestrained moments brimming with joy. In these instances, your genuine selves shine through, contributing to a collection of vivid and spirited photographs.

Flexibility in Pose Selection: It's important to recognize that these suggested poses are by no means necessary. Your comfort and authenticity as a couple take precedence. If any of these poses don't resonate with your relationship's essence, feel free to only use what is authentic to you and your fiancé. Your engagement session should reflect your unique connection and personalities, ensuring that every chosen pose feels organic and true to who you are as a couple.

In your search for an exceptional creative, if you're seeking a photographer who can easily put you at ease, provoke laughter, and contribute to the crafting of awe-inspiring imagery, I invite you to explore my portfolio at www.mbushphotography.com. Let's initiate a conversation and explore the possibilities together!

Planning Your Engagement Session? Here are some tips on how to prepare!

So, you’ve taken that wonderful step and are now engaged, with dreams of an unforgettable engagement session. Whether this is your first venture into this world or you’re seasoned in the art of love, the upcoming steps are crucial. These steps mark the inception of your remarkable love story. The foremost and pivotal step? Choosing your photographer. (Hint: I’m the one your looking for!) Jk :) (Im not kidding). Selecting the right photographer is paramount. It’s the key to starting the visual narrative of your exceptional journey.

Imagine this as the prologue to the tale of your love. As you embark on this journey, take a moment to consider your personal style. There’s a rich tapestry of photography styles, each capturing emotions and aesthetics distinctively. With diligent research, you’ll uncover the style that resonates best with your hearts. My signature style leans towards “True to Color” with “Fine Art” Vibes. I love to throw some drama in their if you haven’t noticed on my website yet. There are also other styles ranging from film-inspired aesthetics to warm or cool tones, and even vintage vibes. I love capturing the candid, heartwarming moments with an exquisite fine are touch - destined to grace your walls, drawing admiration from loved ones.


So, you’ve finally selected me as your photographer —AHEM— you’ve finally chosen your photographer. So, what’s the next step? It’s essential that you and your fiance share a profound connection, an undeniable resonance. This connection, this magic between you two, will be painted across your photos. Delve into what ignited your love and explore the depths of your emotions. This genuine connection will illuminate your images.

The question of attire arises. What defines your style as a couple? Every style has its charm, and the choice of attire can either elevate or hinder your images. Harmonizing colors is key to crafting a successful engagement session. A quick tip: avoid reflective materials like sequined dresses. Sunilght can cast unflattering glares on skin complicating the session unless light is controlled such as a studio environment.


Adding props can be a delightful way to infuse enthusiasm and dissolve any barriers. Think champagne bottles, picnic setups, a beautiful arrangement of florals, or even smoke bombs. Anything that signifies your unique connection.


Want to break free from the norm? Transform your date night into an enchanting engagement session. Think about your shared activities: bowling, pool, ice cream, a relaxing beer. Any of these can transform into an authentic and comforting engagement session. Familiar settings breed authenticity, which inevitably shines through the final product.


If the nuances of hair and makeup aren’t your forte, consider opting for professional services. This adds a layer of sophistication to your final presenation.


It’s quite common that couples haven’t posed professionally together. Those initial jitters and butterflies? They’re normal, and yes, they’ll be there when the camera rolls. Let yourself relax and let down your guard. It’s our role as photographers to ensure your comfort and transform the experience into a cherished memory. While i might jokingly suggest a quick detour to the bar beforehand for a little courage, the reality is that it’s our responsibility to set the stage for a relaxed and remarkable session with your partner.

On the day of your engagement session, infuse a touch of enchantment into your partner’s day. Set the mood for whats to come. By doing so, their affection and adoration will radiate through the camera, resulting in captivating photos. Gentlemen, a thought bouquet or a heartfelt gift goes a long way. Ladies, show your appreciation with a surprise aligned with their passions, be it a favorite treat or a special memento. The point is to make their day extraordinary, setting the stage for a session that truly shines.


In close, the engagement session carries immense significance. It’s an opportunity for us to understand one another’s rhythm, to operate in harmony. After all, you don’t want to meet your photographer for the first time on your wedding day. By investing in this prelude, you’ll be at ease and confident, ready to share your authentic emotions comes the big day.


Should you be seeking a master of “True to Color” artistry, someone who crafts visual masterpieces, look no further than Michael Bush Photography.



-Michael

www.mbushphotography.com

Cody and Kristen's Gorgeous Church Wedding | Weatherford, Texas

If there's one word to describe Cody and Kristen's wedding, it would be "breathtaking".

Every little detail of this nuptial exudes an elegant simplicity that makes it an instant classic.

Set at a gorgeous venue in Weatherford, Texas, this day surely turned out beautifully for our featured couple. The overall landscape of the church where they exchanged their vows made their ceremony even more magical and serene.

Kristen, our beautiful bride, chose a minimalist and fresh bouquet to compliment the intricate appliqué design of her wedding dress. We're also in awe of how effortless she was every time she's posing for the camera. Our dapper groom Cody also pulled off a classic black suit that compliments their simple and elegant motif.

Sticking to a mint green palette also allowed them to tastefully inject pops of color like baby pinks and other pastels to their theme. The play of light colors with greens and natural textures added elegance to their overall styling.

But what gives this wedding more of its dreamy yet laidback vibe would be the couple. Cody and Kristen showed us how much love and happiness they feel on their special day, and they clearly had a lot of fun posing together for their photos. We love how candid and genuine their captured moments look! We hope Cody and Kristen's wedding will give you a dose of good vibes, too.

See how this couple pulled everything together tastefully through the shots of Michael Bush Photography!

Venue - The Brooks at Weatherford

Kristen & Parker's Bohemian Backyard Wedding | Arlington, Texas

Relaxed, warm, and unconventional–this wedding set in Arlington, Texas is a sure standout. The fun and cozy atmosphere it creates matches the personalities of today’s featured couple, Kristen and Parker.

Their ceremony was held in their gorgeous backyard—a great choice for anyone looking to keep their wedding intimate and laidback. There’s just something so charming about celebrating with loved ones, surrounded by the beautiful outdoors, don’t you think? It gives off this dreamy and romantic vibe that we all love without being over the top.

We also love how Kristen and Parker managed to put everything together while making sure that their touch and flair are apparent. Among the many details that caught our eye is the use of wooden backdrops and elements. It exudes a warm and relaxed ambiance, plus it perfectly matches the entourage's rustic bohemian bouquets embellished with dried flowers.

We also adore how the beautiful hanging night lights add a soft glow to the whole space. Even the mauve purple color palette, which allows the bride’s dress and groom’s suit to stand out, gave this wedding an extra touch of elegance and style.

As you can probably tell, there are just so many details that we can't get enough of from this wedding! However, no detail can compare to the radiance of the bride and groom, whose smiles and laughter were so full of love.

Look through these photos by Michael Bush Photography to see how this beautiful wedding unfolded.

Victoria and Garrett's Stylish Rustic Wedding | Fort Worth, Texas

Just like that, another year has come and gone. What a year it was for weddings! Despite all the surprises and plot twists that the previous year has given us, we all learned to adapt and find our ways of navigating the new world of wedding planning. And as celebrations slowly started to make a comeback, one thing's for sure: love truly does conquer all. No matter what challenges lie ahead, know that marrying the love of your life will always be worth it!

For this year's first wedding feature, we're blessed to witness the lovely union of Victoria and Garrett set in Fort Worth, Texas. The couple opted for a rustic theme that's both modern and stylish, and to be honest, we don't think we'll get tired of this theme. They used elements that are simple and clean, making the overall look both fresh and timeless. We also love the contrast of colors between the florals and the dresses -- the pops of red, plum, and orange of the florals perfectly balance out the neutral shades of the entourage's outfit. Our beautiful bride Victoria also wore an elegant mermaid dress with intricate lace patterns, and she was able to pull them off!

This wedding reminds us that when you get the privilege to marry the love of your life, it will surely knock you off your feet. And for Victoria and Garrett's wedding, you'll immediately see the extreme joy and love in the photos captured by yours truly, Michael Bush Photography. Enjoy scrolling through these photos and let us know what you think!

Vendor List

Wedding Planning/Coordination - Onefatdove - www.onefatdove.com

Florals - The Lace Bouquet - www.thelacebouquet.com

Bride’s Gown - The Blushing Bride Boutique - www.theblushingbrideboutique.com

Venue - 4 Eleven - the4eleven.net

Fête of Forever | Nick & Shruthi’s Gorgeous Wedding at The Springs, Mckinney

If you want to know what celebrating in style looks like, then you’re on the right page.

Nick and Shruthi’s wedding held at The Springs at Tuscany Hill, Mckinney Texas was nothing short of breathtaking. Everywhere we looked, every photo we captured, all the more we realize that what this couple has is truly special.

We love how they were able to make their wedding genuine, solemn, and true to their culture while making sure that they did not hold back on making it a feast for the eyes. The red, white, and gold color palette looked so luxurious without being overpowering. Their elegant table setup, naked cake, and floral arrangements were all eye-catchers as well. These are only a few of the many elements that brought their theme to life.

Our beautiful bride Shruthi, who’s seen wearing a stunning red and gold dress, managed to amaze her guests as she gracefully walks down the aisle. We loved every bit of her ensemble — from the intricate details of her henna tattoo, the exquisitely arranged patterns of her dress, all the way to each dazzling piece of her ornaments. Every detail was simply stunning, to say the least, and no doubt that she was able to pull them off.

Being able to work with this couple was a real pleasure, and we’re truly humbled to be part of their celebration. They made it so easy for us to capture great moments because of their authenticity and playfulness.

Looking at these photos from Nick & Shruthi’s wedding, we can’t help but be mesmerized at how memorable this day was. We were lucky enough to witness such a heartwarming occasion, and we cannot wait to share the rest of the photos with you. Check out Nick & Shruthi’s wedding photos below.

Vendor List:

Wedding/Event Coordinator - Carleigh Long -  www.carleighdesign.com

Florals - Holly Viles - www.hollyviles.com

Photographer - Michael Bush - www.mbushphotography.com

Brides gown - www.mayasdesiboutique.com

Makeup - Britt Lienau - www.thewildlifewedding.com

Venue - Springs Venue - www.springsvenue.com/mckinney

Video - Joshua and Parisa - www.joshuaandparisa.com

Event Rentals - Lawson’s Event Rentals - www.lawsoneventrentals.com

Cake - Pastries and Prints - www.pastriesandprints.com

Bartending - DFW bartending - www.dfwbartending.com

Catering - Chennai Cafe - www.chennaicafe.com

Timeless Elegance | Brandon & Chantell’s Classy Wedding in McKinney, Texas

A perfect mix of style, simplicity, and a pop of purple — Brandon & Chantell’s wedding is one for the books. 

Who said you can’t mix different themes and elements at your wedding? For The Pattersons, they opted for a classy Tuscan-inspired venue in Texas, with bits and pieces of rustic details starting from the floral arrangement to a very chic coffee truck.

One of the many key elements that we also like about this wedding is how they were able to make the color purple stand out. It gave a more lively vibe and glow to the overall theme, not to mention how it displayed an elegant contrast to the bride’s gorgeous dress.

Brandon and Chantell’s wedding is both grand and simple at the same — filled with carefully picked decors and a stunning venue, celebrated with only the people closest to them. Their bond is so evident you can almost feel it just by looking at the photos, and we’re glad that we were able to capture it.

Don’t miss out on the other details of Brandon and Chantell’s wedding by scrolling through the photos below captured by yours truly, Michael Bush Photography.

Vendor List:

Makeup - Tina John - www.thepictureperfectface.com

Hair - Dawn Best - @tilthabreakofdawn

Cake - The London baker - www.thelondonbaker.com

Cinema - Petit Four Films - www.petitfourfilms.com

DJ - Anthony - @aplusthedj

Florals - Edwards Floral Design - www.edwardsfloral.com

Photography - Michael Bush Photography - www.mbushphotography.com

Rentals - Dfw vintage Cars - www.dfwvintagecars.com

Venue - D’vine Grace Vineyard - www.dvinegrace.com

Planner - RK weddings & Events - www.rkweddingsandevents.com

Tony and Connor Wedding | Hard Rock Hotel | Los Cabos, Mexico

March 6th 2020 just before the Covid-19 craziness Tony and Connor’s wedding took place at the Hard Rock Hotel in beautiful Los Cabos. This hotel opened last year and was the perfect location for their wedding. It had many locations for photo ops around the property as shown below. Special thanks to Ellen and Andrea at Shoreline destinations for planning the travel and stay for the whole wedding crew including the vendors.

I always love shooting destination weddings but for some reason photographing weddings in Mexico are my favorite. I’ve photographed quite a few weddings in Mexico and have yet to have a bad experience. Below are just a few images from Tony and Connor special day!

Tyler and Jessica's Beautiful Sunset Engagements at White Rock lake

Tyler and Jessica's Beautiful Sunset Engagements at White Rock lake

White Rock lake, Dallas Texas engagements by Michael Bush Photography. Dallas Wedding Photographer. Fort Worth Wedding Photographer. 

Jake + Patricia Wedding Highlight Video

Thank you Jake and Patricia for allowing me to capture your amazingly, fun filled day. Their genuine love for each other made it easier to capture their love for one another on film. Their wedding was at a gorgeous venue in Weatherford, Tx called "Hollow Hills Event Center". This venue sits on a lot of land and has tons of beautiful photo and video opportunities. 

 

Hope you enjoy the video! If possible, Like and Share! 

I am a destination wedding photographer and videographer in Dallas Fort Worth who specializes in capturing love stories. I travel all over the world doing what I love. Please contact me today to begin your love story.

Michael Bush Photography

www.mbushphotography.com