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# How to pose your subjects 💃

There are quite some challenges when taking photos “Smiler-style”. One of the biggest is posing your subjects. During a traditional photoshoot, you have the time to follow your subjects, take tons of photos and capture them naturally. With Smiler, you have 1-5 minutes per session and 10-15 shots. On top, of those factors, your subjects didn’t start their day with a photoshoot on their agenda - so they can be a bit awkward at first.

Rest assured these challenges can be overcome! Use these tips to get awesome shots every time.

**Chat it up**

* Help your subjects relax by telling them the game plan, where you’ll have them stand & how long the shoot will take.
* Direct them on how to position their bodies.
* Tell them where to direct their gaze.
* Ask them questions, particularly ones that will loosen them up.

**Direct their gaze  
​**You can avoid the oh-so-awful "deer in the headlights" photo by directing your subject's gaze. Have them look at the camera, behind your shoulder, down or two their side.

[![](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/662954030/d3a343565c083e7801aa4815/Untitled+%2820+%C3%97+15cm%29+%285%29.png?expires=1751374800&signature=2f94be5e6ef652d393d9b42bdde8d04aaa21d1c3c7d80e29015fdb108a64f927&req=ciYlH8x6nYJfFb4f3HP0gIPGb3SIRRrWyZ9RNu7Vij6K8JDHPO4xK1w4Nr0b%0AFDGyhTwymM3nr6YzXA%3D%3D%0A)](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/662954030/d3a343565c083e7801aa4815/Untitled+%2820+%C3%97+15cm%29+%285%29.png?expires=1751374800&signature=2f94be5e6ef652d393d9b42bdde8d04aaa21d1c3c7d80e29015fdb108a64f927&req=ciYlH8x6nYJfFb4f3HP0gIPGb3SIRRrWyZ9RNu7Vij6K8JDHPO4xK1w4Nr0b%0AFDGyhTwymM3nr6YzXA%3D%3D%0A)

**Encourage movement  
​**Direct your subjects to move around! That will help them loosen up. Have them dance, jump, walk toward the camera, or walk away from the camera.

[![](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/662954476/131f6dcfbd71a2c9d46fa93e/Untitled+%2820+%C3%97+15cm%29+%281%29+%281%29.png?expires=1751374800&signature=9b54c597fd594ce2c78ba44a09f307d3b7aaf7c595e03fa8dfd6b19158db8218&req=ciYlH8x6mYZZFb4f3HP0gM3iWfTZ8jwe4bRVHQ4WS3sM5O3DcqOvc4FkfgYE%0AbIHnO9I7IEHlEFy3%2BQ%3D%3D%0A)](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/662954476/131f6dcfbd71a2c9d46fa93e/Untitled+%2820+%C3%97+15cm%29+%281%29+%281%29.png?expires=1751374800&signature=9b54c597fd594ce2c78ba44a09f307d3b7aaf7c595e03fa8dfd6b19158db8218&req=ciYlH8x6mYZZFb4f3HP0gM3iWfTZ8jwe4bRVHQ4WS3sM5O3DcqOvc4FkfgYE%0AbIHnO9I7IEHlEFy3%2BQ%3D%3D%0A)

**Encourage interaction  
​**Have your subjects kiss, hold hands, look at each other, and laugh together. This will help you capture authentic moments between them.

[![](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/662954793/5940ec8a5a76584df2b18976/Untitled+%2820+%C3%97+15cm%29+%284%29+%281%29.png?expires=1751374800&signature=138543250aeb7d97ffa5bed3df8670d97c318f8358c8d12d17a82af4a376b19d&req=ciYlH8x6mohcFb4f3HP0gIN5w%2BhUIwFsxYIdtKXNRlsqbPkS9CEur6pqhiTO%0A%2B1vK8q2yMOLwob1Erg%3D%3D%0A)](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/662954793/5940ec8a5a76584df2b18976/Untitled+%2820+%C3%97+15cm%29+%284%29+%281%29.png?expires=1751374800&signature=138543250aeb7d97ffa5bed3df8670d97c318f8358c8d12d17a82af4a376b19d&req=ciYlH8x6mohcFb4f3HP0gIN5w%2BhUIwFsxYIdtKXNRlsqbPkS9CEur6pqhiTO%0A%2B1vK8q2yMOLwob1Erg%3D%3D%0A)

**Get down on their level  
​**When photographing kids crouch down and ask them to interact with their environment or a family member.

[![](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/662955063/da984397d2d2465ca8b8212e/Untitled+%2820+%C3%97+15cm%29+%283%29+%281%29.png?expires=1751374800&signature=cd6a94621715fc15f40e147d7fc5bd730c2d06739c2bb801f52ae5089d852974&req=ciYlH8x7nYdcFb4f3HP0gPPXzKDk%2FD9h8cAbZAkkqZT%2FUM3gQjfV5m%2Bu3SZ8%0Ai7up0I087ztii4%2FkGw%3D%3D%0A)](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/662955063/da984397d2d2465ca8b8212e/Untitled+%2820+%C3%97+15cm%29+%283%29+%281%29.png?expires=1751374800&signature=cd6a94621715fc15f40e147d7fc5bd730c2d06739c2bb801f52ae5089d852974&req=ciYlH8x7nYdcFb4f3HP0gPPXzKDk%2FD9h8cAbZAkkqZT%2FUM3gQjfV5m%2Bu3SZ8%0Ai7up0I087ztii4%2FkGw%3D%3D%0A)

**Make a shot list**

With experience, you'll find which poses work best for single, couples, and family portraits. We recommend choosing 5 poses for each audience and using them every time. Like this shot list for

couples:

1. Couple looking at each other.
2. Couple kissing.
3. Couple walking towards the camera.
4. Couple walking away from the camera.
5. Couple dances together.