Photographers spend their lives helping other people look good in pictures, so it’s only natural they’ve picked up a few tricks they use for their own moments in front of the camera.
As we enter holiday card season, HuffPost asked professional photographers to share one thing that they always do when posing for a photo. Keep scrolling for their go-to techniques for creating images they want to share again and again.
They drop their shoulders and take a breath.
“I always drop my shoulders and take one small breath right before the photo. It softens your expression and gets rid of that tense ‘photo face.’ I also slightly shift my weight to one side, it relaxes your posture and keeps you from looking rigid.” ― Isela Lozano
“I intentionally relax my shoulders. When people are nervous in front of the camera, tension usually shows up most obviously in raised, tightened shoulders. Taking a deep breath and intentionally lowering my shoulders while giving them a good shake helps to release them. Usually, my whole body follows suit and settles into a more natural state. This helps me achieve my goals of looking genuine and comfortable in photos.” ― Kelley Hoagland of Kelley Hoagland Photography
They lean in and create connection.
“I like to lean in and create a close connection. My favorite photos are the ones where you can feel the relationship and see the story behind every person. I always keep that in mind when I’m posing for a photo with family or friends, with an arm around someone’s back, a head resting on a shoulder, linked arms or a little squeeze. Those small moments of closeness tell such a beautiful story.” ― Gretchen Richardson, manager of photography training and quality at Lifetouch
“If I’m with others, I always create a point of connection, a hand around a shoulder, leaning in slightly, or touching arms. It photographs well and makes everyone look more comfortable and genuine.” ― Lozano
They give their hands something to do.
“One thing I try to do is relax my shoulders and give my hands something to do. I never just let them hang awkwardly at my sides. If I’m with my kids, I might hold their hands, brush hair out of their face, or put an arm around them. A little physical connection always makes the photo feel more natural and warm.” ― Anastasia Karnoupakis of Anastasia K. Photography
They look for the best light.
“One thing I always do when I’m posing for a photo is look for the best light. You can have the best pose, but if the light is horrible, it doesn’t matter.” ― Nicole Mondestin of Nicole Mondestin Photography
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Professional photographers pick up many posing tips they use for their own moments in front of the camera.
They slightly angle their body.
“One thing I always do when posing for a photo is making sure I’m turned just a little, and never standing straight on. Also, make sure the lighting is good!” ― Marcie Reif of Marcie Reif Photography
They focus on feelings, not poses.
“My thoughts might be a little counter-cultural, but honestly, when I am being photographed, I try to think less about how I’m posing and more about how I’m feeling. When I am feeling present, content, joyful, confident, loved, etc. ― that is what I see back in the photo. I don’t care about if my arm looks small or how I’m sitting. If I can see the result of the photo as a reflection of a beautiful moment, then I know the photo is exactly what it needs to be.” ― Leah O’Connell of Leah O’Connell Photography
They let the photographer direct.
“When working with a professional photographer, don’t make the mistake of trying to direct your family in the middle of the photoshoot. That’s your photographer’s job! If you’ve hired an experienced family photographer, they will know how to get everyone engaged. Allow them to lead you through the session. They’ll certainly ask for your help if they need it. The last thing you want to do is ruin the perfect shot by not being ready yourself because you’re trying to manage everyone else.” ― Hoagland
They keep their body moving a little.
“One thing I always do when I’m in a photo myself, whether it’s solo or with family or friends, is keep my body moving just a little. Nothing big or dramatic, just gentle shifts, a natural laugh, brushing hair back, turning slightly toward someone. Those subtle movements help me avoid feeling rigid or overly posed, and they create the kind of relaxed, candid energy that looks so much more genuine on camera. Even the smallest motion helps soften your expression and posture, making the final image feel warm, natural, and true to the moment.” ― Maxine Cadman, a Nations Photo Lab-affiliated photographer
They plan their outfit in advance.
“Waiting for the last minute to plan your outfit causes undue stress. I would highly recommend laying all the clothes out from top to bottom, including socks, the night before.” ― Annie Vovan of Annie Vovan Photography
They pull everyone in close.
“When I’m in a photo, I always pull everyone in close. I bring our heads together and make sure hands are placed with intention, whether that’s on an arm, a shoulder, or gently wrapped around someone. Visible hands create connection and avoid that ‘missing limb’ look. It instantly makes the photo feel warm, connected, and beautifully composed.” ― Norma Fayak of Norma Fayak Photography
They get a little silly.
“I turn into a goofball and try to make people laugh, myself included. It may even be fake laughter at first, but it is almost always followed by the good stuff.” ― Tammy Karin of Little Leapling Photography
“I do what most photographers do ― we either go to our most regular look, or we act the fool so we can control the fact that we know we will look silly in the picture, and thus, we are not surprised nor disappointed.” ― Daniel McGarrity of Daniel McGarrity Photography
Responses have been lightly edited for style and clarity.