Mastering Hand Placement: 10 Tips to Help Any Groom Confidently Pose for His Wedding Day.
In nearly every Wedding Photography Session or Engagement Shoot I inevitably hear this question. What should I do with my hands? Have you felt that way? It’s as if, the moment a camera comes out, we just don’t know how to act natural with our hands. As a wedding photographer, I’ve learned how to coach people passed the awkward to look their absolute best. This posing guide is designed specifically to help you feel comfortable with hand placement and posing so you look natural and amazing in any photo.
Hands are such funny little things, they can convey so much, whether it’s a tender loving touch or a sassy dance move, hand placement can make a big difference
Poses and Positioning for the Groom & Groomsmen
Congratulations, gentlemen! Your wedding day is just around the corner, and it’s time to ensure that every detail is picture-perfect, including your hand placement. While it might seem like a small thing, the way you hold your hands can make a big difference in your wedding photos. We’re here to guide you through it, making sure you look and feel your absolute best as you embark on this incredible journey down the aisle.
Tip 1: Confidence is Key
First and foremost, remember that confidence is your secret weapon. When you feel good, it shows in your posture and your expressions, So own this moment, stand tall, relax, have fun, and let your confidence shine through your hands.
Tip 2: Relax Your Hands
The most important thing is to keep your hands relaxed. Avoid making fists or tensing up (unless you boys are goofing around for a fun photo). Let your fingers remain gently curved, like you naturally do when you walk. This creates a natural and approachable look.
Tip 3: Use Your Pockets
It may be simple, but putting one or both hands in your pocket and angling your shoulders so one is closer to the camera than the other makes for a super classy and stylish pose. You can also put your thumbs in a belt loop for a similar look. Creating that angle with your elbow makes the portrait more interesting whether your the groom or groomsmen.
Tip 4: Hold that Wrist
Specifically put your left hand over your right. That way, if you’re wearing a watch or got a wedding band it will shine in your wedding photos.
Tip 5: Casual Jacket Pose
One hand is holding your jacket, the other hand is in a pocket. This creates a more casual feel in your wedding photography.
Tip 6: Classic Jacket Pose
Either button your jacket or lightly tug on your lapels. You can look down or over to your right or left to add some mystery and class in your wedding portrait.
How to Pose With Your Bride: Tips for Hand Placement with Her
Ok, now that you’re an expert on posing for your groomsmen portraits, let’s apply some of those same ideas to posing with your bride.
You’ll use similar ideas (like putting your unoccupied hand in your pocket) and keeping your touch relaxed, but there are some specific ways the groom’s hand placement can take your wedding photos to the next level by showing your love and passion through your hands.
Tip 7: Side Hug the Bride
Always have your hands on your bride unless your wedding photographer guides you differently. One very simple and common pose is having one arm around her and the other hand in your pocket.
Tip 8: Caress Her Face
Gently place your hand at her chin as you kiss or wrap your hand around the back of her neck so your thumb is in front of her ear. I love when you can feel the love of a couple through their wedding photography - this is one way to capture that.
Tip 9: Hold Hands
Even though hand holding is pretty basic, you can change it up a lot and be pretty creative. Try holding hands and walking a few steps away from each other (but look at each other because that’s cute). Or hold hands while also wrapping her up in a hug (her back will be to you but you put one arm over her shoulder and the other around her waist.)
Tip 10: Gently Hold Her Always
Keep touching her, no matter what. It sometimes depends on the pose but if you can put both of your hands on your bride, that will look so much more passionate than just one hand. Imagine if this groom had his hand just chillin’ rather than holding his bride? This wedding portrait would not convey the same level of love.
There you have it! 10 Tips for rocking your wedding photography session. Who knew hands were such a big deal? I hope you now feel more comfortable and confident as you get ready to capture your love story. Remember, your wedding photographer should guide you in posing but by implementing these tips, you’ll be a rockstar!