70+ Couple Photoshoot Poses Ideas

Looking good in pictures depends on a combination of factors.

First, you must invest in the best professional photographer you can afford. Trust and comfort with your artist are crucial; you’ll want to choose someone whose style and energy appeal to you.

Ask for a representative portfolio that corresponds with your photography package (as opposed to a “best of” gallery).

Then try to connect (by email, WhatsApp, or even Zoom) with your photographer before the shoot, so you’re not total strangers when you meet. You’ll feel more relaxed, which can do miracles for your breathing and fun factor while reducing undesirable camera awareness.

Next, consider enlisting a professional beauty artist. Sure, some ladies are adept at doing their hair and makeup. Still, the job of an experienced beauty artist is to make your hair and skin look incredible—notably with photos, video, and lighting conditions in mind.

Speaking of lighting, well, let’s cut to the chase. Light is what makes the magic work for photographers (and cinematographers). Regardless of your artist’s talent, soft, flattering light will result in a more radiant look, no squinting in pictures, no reflections or unwanted shadows.

We prefer the Golden Hour at sunrise or the Blue Hour after sunset for outdoor photo sessions.

In German, the saying “Kleider Machen Leute” translates to “Clothes make people.” Attire matters! So whether you’re after a casual or elegant photoshoot, consider how you and your partner will look in the pictures. It’s not necessarily desirable that your outfits match, but they should harmonize stylistically.

Finally, the location or backdrops you choose for your photoshoot will impact the photo. Hey, Eiffel Tower, anyone? But there’s more: the choice of locations can affect essential elements such as privacy, avoiding distracting crowds, your ability to walk in high heels, protecting your floor-length gown, and more.

That’s a loaded question akin to asking, “Which chess opening is the best?” There are many fantastic couple poses (and chess openings).

An experienced portrait photographer poses her subjects based on the type of shoot, the couple’s style & personality, body shapes & sizes, lighting, props, and many other factors.

You might be asked to find a connection with the following:

• Walking poses (toward or away from the camera);
• Static sitting poses on a bench, at a cafe, or on a wall; and side-by-side, facing, straddled, etc.;
• Static standing poses facing each other, looking at the camera (the “Parent-pleaser”), looking away from the camera, she looking at the camera and he at her, embracing from behind with your fingers intertwined, etc.;
• Dynamic poses, such as lifts, dips, and twirls …;

And that’s just the basics. The portrait photographers adjust for cute, romantic, sensual, editorial, and creative preferences.

Great kissing in photos boils down to believable, passionate connection, natural breathing, and eliminating awkward camera awareness.

As lovers, our most significant advantage is chemistry, which is about comfort with the scent and imperfections of our partner and becoming “one.” It can be a tender, naughty, passionate kiss with “foot pop,” a reenactment of the famous “V-J Day in Times Square” sailor kiss, and anything in between.

While there are no hard rules, kissing, like in the movies, is about purpose, passion, and surrendering to the moment. Focus on:

• Anticipation (the intro to the kiss) builds as you effortlessly gaze into your partner’s eyes or at her lips. Don’t just dive into the kiss; leave a little to the viewer’s imagination. Consider gently touching noses and foreheads;
• Close, natural breathing (holding your breath is not sustainable and can lead to stiff poses and thinking about the act of being photographed instead of the person in front of you);
• A physical connection between you and your partner may include a soft embrace with delicate fingers intertwining. Contact between your bodies is essential; don’t leave a space gap with your butts sticking out.
• An exposed neckline your partner can touch like a feather. But don’t kiss “away” from the camera when your photographer shoots from a lower vantage point.

As you can imagine, sexy is in the eye of the beholder. Sexy couple poses are about seduction and evoking desire.

As with couple’s boudoir photography, some of the most striking poses leave plenty to the viewer’s imagination.

Note from the image below that a display of sensuality is not required to achieve hot couple photos.

When posing couples, we typically start with movement poses, such as walking or running toward (or away from) the camera. It’s a fantastic way to shed unwanted camera awareness while encouraging natural breathing.

‘Walking toward the camera’ poses range from casual to formal and anything in between.

‘Walking toward the camera’ poses often start with the couple connecting naturally with effortless eye contact.

It’s equally acceptable for the couple to look away from the photographer toward a common point of interest or straight into the camera.

Alternatively, couples can walk away from the photographer while looking at each other, or one person can look back at the camera.

As you see in the photograph below, it’s vital to position yourselves parallel to your desired backdrop and your photographer.

The person dipping (the “leader”) needs to support his partner. This is accomplished by the leader holding his body upright and, critically, not leaning with the person he’s dipping.

Furthermore, the leader must keep both feet on the ground while shifting his weight to the foot planted toward the dip.

In turn, the person dipped will shift her weight to the rear foot while stylishly extending the front leg.

Whether you’re a photographer or a couple, one of the most neglected poses—the so-called “parent-pleaser”—should be central to your repertoire.

Natural breathing is key. Do not hold your breath, which is not sustainable and can result in uncomfortable and stiff pictures. Instead, relax, think of happy memories, and smile.

The deliberate placement of your hands will set your professional portrait apart from a snapshot.

5 Tips to get better couple silhouette poses:

1. Aim for sunrise or sunset for optimal light;
2. Wear dark attire and avoid whites;
3. Ladies, since silhouette portraits are usually captured in profile, it’s an excellent idea to tie your hair back in a bun neatly;
4. Connect at the hip, but maintain generous spacing everywhere else (i.e., head, torso, and legs);
5. When your photographer shoots from a lower vantage point, push your hips slightly in the opposite direction of your artist and stand straight or slightly lean toward the camera.

We hold a love-hate relationship with balloons as props for engagement pictures. On the one hand, balloons can be eye-catching, energize, and distract from undesirable camera awareness.

Unfortunately, balloons also have the potential to distract you from connecting with your partner—especially on a windy day. That can introduce stress, the last thing you want during a playful couple photoshoot. Moreover, oversized balloons are difficult to transport and, as such, don’t commute well from one photo location to the next. 

3 fantastic ways to incorporate balloons into your couple photos.

Walking toward the camera. As with any walking toward the camera pose, effortless eye contact is vital. Typically we would encourage the physically stronger person in the relationship to hold the balloons. However, there are no rules, so whatever works best for you.

Facing away from the camera. Looking for a fantastic save-the-date idea? Well, facing away from the camera places the focus on the viewer squarely on the balloons. Balloons, in turn, signal a joyous occasion and celebration. Voila.

Doing the lift. It’s already challenging for some couples to pull off the perfect lift. So be warned. That said, don’t try to perfect everything at once. There’s no harm in initially performing the lift without balloons (so you know where to place the arm facing the photographer and not holding the balloons).

This is also an excellent time to rehearse the “foot pop,” which ideally is held at a 90-degree angle. Then, when you repeat the lift pose with balloons, make sure to straighten your arm harmoniously between your head and your partner’s.