Simple

Posing Tips
for kids, families, and teens

Created for you by Pretty Presets and Gayle Vehar of Mom and Camera. Copyright 2013
Posing tips for Toddlers
1. No Posing toddler off by themselves. This can still
be within viewing distance of the parents.
So the title of this page might be a little off Spend time talking to them and engaging
since the first tip here is about “no posing.” them with you.
The truth is that if you are expecting a tod-
dler to pose, you will be sorely disappointed
3. Be Silly and Patient
and you’ll both be frustrated. Toddlers do Be willing to pull out silly tricks, play peek-
not understand sitting still and following a-boo, and make silly faces. Be willing to
directions. Instead, give them something follow or chase them around. Be interested
to do or play with and be ready when the in what they are interested in and look for a
moments happen. few quiet moments to get the shots that you
are looking for.
2. One on One
Toddlers are easily distracted and confused
4. Be Safe
with lots of people around. The best way to Toddlers love to walk, run, and climb. But
photograph toddlers is typically one on one. they are also still fairly unstable on their
feet and a bit clumsy. Be careful what you
In order to do this, you need to gain the
ask them to do and where you ask them to
trust and the friendship of both the toddlers
go. You must keep these cute little ones
and the parents. When possible, take the
safe.

Created for you by Pretty Presets and Gayle Vehar of Mom and Camera. Copyright 2013
Posing tips for Kids
1. Relaxed Posing Barbie’s, be interested in what they love and
they will engage back.
Depending on the age of the children, they
Engagement will give you the coveted eye
are only a step or two above toddlers.
contact as well. It can be difficult to engage
Posing should still be relaxed and given as
from behind a camera. Don’t be afraid to
a starting point. Simple poses that they al-
lower the camera or shoot from the hip —
ready do naturally are a good starting point.
photographing without looking through the
For instance, sitting cross-legged, holding
viewfinder.
hands with someone, or putting their hands
in their pockets are good places to start. 3. Be Silly
As you talk to your subject and build a re- Kids are notorious for the “fake” smile—the
lationship with them, be prepared for op- smile they pull out of their pocket the sec-
portunities to capture authentic smiles and ond you ask them to smile.
unique expressions.
To avoid the fake smile, pull out your silly
2. Engagement tricks and brush up on your very best jokes.
Finding a way to make your subjects laugh
There really is no underestimating the pow- will keep that “fake” smile away and allow
er of talking and engaging with your subject. you to capture genuine emotion, expres-
Find out what they are into and ask them sions, and even laughter.
questions about it. Whether it is Lego’s or

Created for you by Pretty Presets and Gayle Vehar of Mom and Camera. Copyright 2013
Posing tips for Teens
1. Give Direction Being friendly will also draw natural, easy
expressions and eye contact.
Generally, teens and tweens love having
their photo taken. However, at the same 3. Show Personality
time, the closer kids move into the tween This is such a perfect age to show personali-
and teen years the more self-conscious they ty in photos. Whether you are photograph-
become. Giving them direction and assuring ing a high school senior or other ages for
them how great they look will relax them. portraits, allow their personality to show
Start with some simple posing instructions through their expressions and include the
like, “put your hands in your pockets and occasional prop to show off what they love.
kick out your hip” or “turn your body away
from me and look back over your shoulder.”
4. Boys and Girls
Once they start to relax, posing should begin Posing boys and girls will be very different
flowing more naturally. at this age. Boys need to look masculine and
girls need to look feminine. Photographing
2. Be Friendly boys square to the camera or with a low
camera angle will help them look strong and
This really needs no explanation. Howev-
sure. Girls look best when at a slight angle
er, it is especially important with teens and
to the camera and with their weight trans-
tweens. Being friendly puts them at ease
ferred to one foot or their hip kicked out.
and helps them to enjoy the experience.

Created for you by Pretty Presets and Gayle Vehar of Mom and Camera. Copyright 2013
Posing tips for Families
1. Show Connection Triangles may be found in the group overall,
or between individual subjects. And if you
Family photos should be all about connec- can’t see triangles in the photo above, just
tion. The connection will be different when work to keep each head at a slightly differ-
photographing families with older kids than ent height in relation to the one next to it.
it will be when photographing families with
younger children. Connection may come as 3. Avoid “Over-Posing”
kids or parents hold hands with a younger Let’s first define “over-posing.” First, any-
child or by having the young children in an time a pose takes more than 5-10 minutes
embrace from their parents. With older to set up AND shoot it is likely “over-posed.”
children, the connection may come in the As a photographer, I have photographed
form of proximity or sharing a laugh or others and been photographed myself.
secret. Nothing kills the fun and makes a family
dread a session more than “over-posing.”
2. Look for Triangles Nothing tries the patience of little kids and
Any time you are posing more than one parents than “over-posing.” A family pho-
person, looking for triangles will help your tography session should be at least a little
composition. This rule could also be called fun (and I’d prefer a lot of fun). It should be
“keep heads at different levels.” natural and relaxed. There should be a good
combination of candid and posed shots.

Created for you by Pretty Presets and Gayle Vehar of Mom and Camera. Copyright 2013