I’ve mentored so many photographers who felt like they were doing everything “right”—they had the right lens, the right location, and even the right poses.
But the photos? Still felt awkward. Stiff. Disconnected.
And most of the time, it wasn’t about talent or effort—it was about a few simple posing mistakes that were throwing everything off.
So let’s talk about them.
1. Relying Too Heavily on Static Poses
One of the biggest mistakes I see (and made myself) is trying to force families into “perfect” poses that look great on Pinterest… but fall flat in real life.
When you position everyone just right and then expect them to stay frozen while you take 20 photos, it drains the energy from the session—and from the people.
Movement = life.
Stillness = stiffness (especially with kids).
2. Focusing on Posing Instead of Guiding
There’s a big difference between posing a family and guiding them into natural connection.
Instead of saying, “Put your hand here, look that way,” try giving them a reason to interact. A simple prompt like “Whisper something silly in mom’s ear” creates a moment you couldn’t have scripted.
Posing should be fluid, not robotic. You’re not arranging furniture—you’re capturing a relationship.
3. Not Reading the Energy
Not every family is high-energy. Not every kid wants to run. Some dads just need a minute.
If you use the same three prompts at every session without reading the room, it won’t land.
Being able to adjust your tone, pacing, and prompts to match the family’s vibe is what creates genuine connection in the photos.
Connection doesn’t come from the pose—it comes from the moment inside it.
4. Over-Prompting Without Purpose
Yes, prompts are powerful—but too many, too fast, and the session starts to feel chaotic or forced.
You want to build a rhythm: give space, observe, prompt again when needed. Be intentional.
The best images often happen after the prompt, not during it. So give your families room to settle into the moment.
5. Not Having a Clear Flow
If you’re winging it the whole time, it’s easy to fall into a cycle of repeating the same few ideas or burning out your clients halfway through the session.
A solid session flow (like the one I use) helps you:
- Build trust and connection early
- Keep variety without overwhelm
- Avoid stiff posing or chaotic transitions
- End strong with natural, relaxed energy
Ready to Fix These for Good?
I created The Ultimate Posing Guide to help photographers move from guessing to guiding—with a full session flow, over 100 tested prompts, and the strategies I use to keep sessions relaxed, fun, and full of natural connection.
If you’ve been feeling stuck, stiff, or like something is “off” in your galleries… it might be a posing problem. But it’s totally fixable.
Grab The Ultimate Posing Guide HERE
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