The Preparation and Posing Guide to a Romantic Couple Photo Session

This guide will help you to prepare for your romantic couple photo session, get the most out of your time together and capture outstanding photos in Amsterdam.

You will find tips on what to wear, how to select and coordinate colours and patterns, ways to add unique, meaningful touches to your images, some posing tips, as well as how to prepare yourselves!

One of the first questions my clients most frequently ask me is “What should we wear?”

What to wear

And it’s no wonder! Your photos are an investment that you have most likely spent some time and money on, they will be passed down for generations to come. It is understandable that you want to look your best! I have compiled a few tips here that I am hoping will help you feel less overwhelmed when it comes time to pick out your wardrobe for your next photo session.

The most important is that you be yourself and feel comfortable!

Do you have a certain colour that you really love to wear? Wear it!

Do you love dresses? Wear one!

Find something that makes you feel beautiful! If you are comfortable with what you are wearing, it will be visible in your photos.

Being comfortable and confident in what we’re wearing can make a huge difference in how we feel and how relaxed we are in front of the camera.

For Her:

Dresses are the most flattering and photograph beautifully. Dresses with movement add an extra touch of grace and elegance to your photos!

But again, if you are more comfortable wearing trousers or your favourite jumpsuit, go for it!

For Him:

Chinos and button-up shirts or henleys/polo shirts look sharp, masculine, and tailored in photos.

Keep in mind that fitted slacks, as opposed to cargo styles, photograph best.

Couple photography, portrait of a young couple is posing in the old city center in Amsterdam

Coordinating vs. Matching

There is an old-fashioned idea floating around that everyone in the picture needs to wear matching clothing. This is not true! Coordinating is far better than matching.

Choose colours that look nice together, but don’t fall into the trap that you all need to be wearing the exact same jumper. Your couple photos will be far more interesting with some variation!

Determine a colour scheme; by selecting tones that complement each other, the images will indeed have a more harmonious and natural look.

To do so, you can select two main colours and then add softer tones to accentuate and complete your colour palette. Each family member can then pick cloth items that include these colour tones.

Also avoid too vivid/flashy colours as well as entirely white clothes items, as they often do not give a nice render.

To reach a cohesive look, it is recommended to have at least three colours in your palette. Adding in a couple of patterns looks nice too, for example, add in a solid shirt for one person, maybe some stripes or a flower pattern for another which can be repeated on a piece of accessory.

Take the session location into consideration

Another helpful point to consider when selecting your outfits is the location of your photoshoot.

Will it be in a park with a lot of shades of green? In the old city centre of Amsterdam, with a lot of brown and orange tones? In an urban, modern neighbourhood with a lot of vibrant graffiti’s? On the beach, where there are plenty of neutral tones?

Pick a colour scheme that will complement the background and not be discordant with the surrounding colours, but be careful not to fade in.

But most importantly, already have some fun styling your outfit and let your personality shine!

Pick out accessories to finish off your look and add style and texture to your pictures

Adding accessories to your individual outfits will bring variety to your shots, but also strengthen the united and harmonious aspect of the images. This can really make your photos “YOU” and looks fantastic in photos! Consider accessories such as a scarf, a vest, a belt, a jacket, a hat, suspenders, a headband, etc.

Accessories are the perfect way to give a finishing touch to your look, and they can really set your photos apart. For example, if a person is wearing a blue and white tartan shirt, adding a scarf with the same pattern to another family member’s outfit will create a more cohesive feeling!

• Posing ideas

1. Chest to Back

There are several ways to stand, the one behind should be taller and can embrace his/her partner, you can also hold hands, look at the camera, look at each other, or give a kiss to your partner.

Good to know: Make sure everyone’s hands have something to do. Pockets are fine for one person but not both.

2- One in Front

Again, for this pose, there are various possibilities, you can both look at the camera, one of you can look at the camera and the other at his/her partner, or you may also look at each other.

3- Walking

Here as well, feel free to look at the camera or at each other.
Tips: walk a bit slower than you would usually do. If you feel awkward with the hand which is not occupied holding your partner’s hand, you can put it in your pocket if you have one or hold on to an accessory, your scarf, or necklace for example.

4- Bodies close together

Either looking at the camera, kissing or looking at each other.

5- Sitting

A relaxed and natural pose to play around with, you can lean on one another, cuddle, one or both of you can look at the camera, you can look at each other, or kiss each other.