5 Classic Poses For Your Engagement Shoot That Even You Can’t Mess Up

The big day is finally here. The love of your life said yes and now you have face the mighty and intimidating camera. You hate taking pictures. You’ve always sucked at taking pictures. What do you do with your hands? What side is your good side? What if your smile is weird? How are you possibly going to be able to pose for an entire hour?

Fret not! These are common fears before your first photo session. If you’ve hired a pro, which I hope you have (check me out here if you haven’t :)), then you have nothing to worry about! Photographers know how to pose everyone from outgoing extroverts to camera-shy introverts. But if you’re still anxious about what to do, the check out these classic pose ideas for your engagement shoot that even you can’t mess up.

1. The Hipster Hand Hold

Big Cottonwood Canyon - Salt Lake City, Utah

This easily one of my favorite, if not absolute favorite poses to start out a session with. This is a simple yet great starting pose that immediately dampens tension while still appearing timeless. Here’s how you set up for it:

1. Hold hands

2. Step apart from one another

3. Keep legs shoulder-width distance

4. Smile!

Now wasn’t that easy?

2. The Dip

Bonneville Salt Flats - Wendover, Utah

When I dip, you dip, we dip! This is a fantastic pose especially if you have a beautiful landscape, interesting architecture, or colorful mural to show off. You don’t have to be a ballroom dancer to pull this one off, all you need is just a bit of practice beforehand to prepare for gravity. Here’s how you do it:

1. Embrace each other in preparation for the dip (starting out in a dance helps)

2. The “dipper” needs to spread legs out shoulder-width distance, place one hand on the back of the “dipee” & the other hand on the leg of the “dipee”

3. The dipper begins to crouch/lunge as the “dipee” leans backwards

4. The “dipee” then kicks their embraced leg upwards

5. Magic!

3. Hand on the Chest

Bonneville Salt Flats - Wendover, Utah

Your S.O. put a ring on it, now it’s time to show that rock off! This one is pretty straightforward however there are a couple of things to note:

1. Make sure your ring hand is the one on full display

2. Be sure to straighten the ring!!!

4. The Spin

Liberty Park - Salt Lake City, Utah

You spin me right round baby right round - okay I’ll stop… Similar to the dip, this pose might take a little practice to nail. If the “spinee” is wearing heels, it is advisable to take a bit of caution and to try to rotate on your tip-toes. Expect to do this one a few times (albeit with breaks to prevent dizziness). A couple of things to keep in mind with this one:

1. After you have fully rotated, pull back and extend arms

2. (Optional) If you’re feeling up for it, try rolling back into your significant other’s arms for a bear hug that’s guaranteed to result in a great expression

3. Try to look at your significant other while rotating

5. Touching Foreheads

Big Cottonwood Canyon - Salt Lake City, Utah

Everyone rags on “prom pics” until it’s time to get married… well it’s time. This is a classic pose that always turns out very sweet and introspective. It can feel super weird to be this close staring into your love’s eyes but as a result of the awkwardness (you want to be close but not this close), great expressions always prevail. One tip is to try to make your S.O. laugh while you two are locking eyes. Trust me, it won’t be very hard!