When I first started learning photography, I asked my friends if I could photograph their families so I could test run my technical skills. What I got instead was a crash course in directing. Turns out, understanding composition, light, and camera settings was only part of the job. The real challenge was figuring out how to make people feel comfortable in front of a camera because, without direction, they don’t just fall into naturally photogenic poses. They freeze. They get stiff. They smile in that tight, please-make-this-stop way. And it shows.
That’s where prompts and poses come in. I work with people who don’t spend their days in front of a camera and usually have no idea what to do with their hands or how to “look natural.” So I’ve learned how to keep a session moving with clear direction and a deep well of prompts. If you’ve ever been in front of my camera, you know I’m not the “Okay, now just smile” type. That’s a one-way ticket to awkward!
Lately, there’s been a trend on TikTok where photographers have their clients do a goofy galloping run. It looks ridiculous; people laugh at themselves, shake their heads, try to stay serious and fail completely. That’s when the magic happens! Real laughter always photographs better than a forced smile. That gallop may feel ridiculous, but it works. The same goes for many of the prompts I use. They’re designed to elicit a moment, not a pose. Connection, not rigid perfection.
The next time you see me crouching with a camera while asking your kid to tickle your partner or gallop across a field, trust me! The moment might feel silly, but the photo will feel real.