WEDDING PHOTOS: TO POSE OR NOT TO POSE?

From the cliché of forced pose to the art of authentic portraiture

Posed photos don't suck.

I’m saying it right now, loud and clear

It’s true that everyone talks about authenticity or reportage these days, but that doesn't mean that during the long wedding day you can't carve out some one-on-one time with your photographer to let her show you how she sees you.

A photographic portrait is comparable to a painted one: it's not just giving you back your image; it's the story of how I, as an artist, perceive you.

The term "pose" has influenced us somewhat by decades of traditional scripts written by photographers whose vision of the work was very different from ours. Today, when we say "posed photos," we immediately think of plastic smiles, people "stranded" on beds, or tasteless pantomimes with relatives forced into embarrassing scenes.

Originally posing indicated a moment in which you were forced to stay still. The shutter speed referred to how long the subject had to remain still to be captured on film. In the early days, people were even tied to supports to remain still for longer! With film photography, shots were limited: to fill an album, they had to be pre-planned and "sure shot," like a checklist.

Today, the term posing is often replaced by portraiture. Because for a modern portrait, you don't have to stay still: you can move, talk, and express yourself. You don't necessarily have to smile at the camera.

However, an authentic portrait needs an emotional connection between the photographer and the couple. It requires interaction and connection in a very short time. Only then will you be spontaneous even in a "guided" moment.

Let's face it: you hire a professional to take advantage of their artistic and directing skills. Guiding you for a portrait means transforming your "I'm not photogenic" into "I am beautiful." It’s not just technique; it’s knowing how to interpret your light.

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