10 Couple Poses to Inspire Your Next Shoot

Thoughtful posing, combined with attention to emotion and movement, creates images that feel genuine. Here is a range of poses sure to help you improve your images.

Coming to you from Julia Trotti, this practical video introduces 10 couple poses that balance creativity with simplicity. Trotti starts with the side-by-side pose, a versatile setup that allows for many variations. The pose is perfect for natural, candid moments like shared laughter or gazing into each other’s eyes. Variations such as holding hands or leaning back-to-back bring subtle yet impactful changes. These small adjustments allow you to capture a mix of full-body shots and close-ups.

Another standout pose discussed is the "big spoon," where one person hugs the other from behind. This pose is great for creating intimacy while offering multiple angles. Trotti demonstrates how to adjust for different moods, like looking into the distance for a reflective feel or directly at the camera for a connected portrait. She also flips the script with the "reverse spoon," offering a fresh perspective by having the roles reversed. These poses work well for golden hour settings, adding warmth to the emotions conveyed.

The video emphasizes movement-based poses, like the "accordion." In this playful setup, couples hold hands and pull away slightly, then come back together. This adds dynamic energy to your shots while maintaining focus on their connection. Trotti explains how slight movements, such as spinning or walking together, create opportunities for authentic expressions and gestures. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Trotti.

If you would like to continue learning about the art of portraiture, be sure to check out our range of tutorials on the subject in the Fstoppers store.

Alex Cooke's picture

Alex Cooke is a Cleveland-based portrait, events, and landscape photographer. He holds an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a doctorate in Music Composition. He is also an avid equestrian.

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