Prom season is here, and we are here to help you meet the challenges faced when photographing teens. Photographing teens can be really fun, but comes with some unique challenges. You don’t want to pose them in ways that seem too intimate. After all, they are still kids whether they like to think so themselves or not. Most of the time, they will travel to the big dance as a large group, so photographing such a large group can be another challenge. Here are some tips for posing and photographing teen couples and groups on their big night.
Capture the Candids
Make sure you have your camera from Buydig.com ready to capture some candid shots as the kids arrive at the location. Get shots of them arriving arm in arm, laughing, talking, and admiring each other’s formal attire. You’ll want to show the movement, energy and of course youth in these images.
Listen to the Kids
Aside from couple shots, a group shot, and a boy and girl group shot, be open to anything the kids want to do. They will let you know what they want. Listen to the kids and go with their ideas if time allows. The girls, especially, will have specific requests for different groupings or pose ideas. Also, don’t be afraid to ask each couple if they are dating or going to the dance as “just friends.” This will help you know how to pose them appropriately.
Couples Shots
No Shrimp Cocktail Hands
To avoid funky looking shrimp-like fingers in a hand holding pose, discourage the couples from interlocking fingers. Just have them touch hands lightly or interlock a pinky finger or however they feel comfortable without interlocking. The key here is to just pay attention to the hands and make sure they don’t look weird or tense.
The V-Up Pose
One of the basic photography poses for couples is called the “V-Up” pose. The pair essentially forms a V as they face the photographer. You can use the basic V-Up with teens because it’s a less intimate pose. Couples can hold hands or the girl can place her hand on the guy’s lapel for more connection from this foundation pose.
Superhero Shots
This can be done as couple shots or even as a group shot. Plan ahead for the guys to wear different superhero shirts underneath their formal shirts. Take some images of them rocking their save-the-world-esque pose for their ladies with their shirts open revealing what they are wearing underneath.
Capture Every Moment
Have your camera ready before the couple sees each other for the first time. Make sure you capture the priceless look on their faces at the exact moment their eyes meet. If possible, have two photographers so one can have a camera on each of the teens as they see each other.
It’s All in the Details
When you think of prom, you automatically think of the fancy dresses and tuxes. However, there are so many other small details that go into these kids getting ready for the big night, and these need to be captured in photos to be remembered forever too. Get individual pictures of the flowers, boutonnieres, jewelry, hair, shoes, and even the detailed make-up on the girls.
Group Shots
The “OC” Look
The days of the boring standing in a straight line, or stadium rows are in the past. Try this more relaxed group pose taken from the teen drama series The O.C. To get “The OC” look, you basically want to make sure to have everyone on different levels with some sitting, some standing, some leaning on a post or wall. Everyone is doing something different with his or her hands. They look posed, but not posed, and it makes a group photo a lot more dynamic than just having everyone stand in two or three rows and smiling.
Shoot from Behind
Show the backs of the girls’ dresses some love as well by capturing the details in a group image of the girls lined up facing away from you. A wide angle lens like the Canon EF-S 17-55mm from Buydig.com will come in handy for a shot like this one.
Simple Props
Make prom feel like a true celebration for the teens by letting them cut loose with launching multi-colored balloons, or tossing confetti or glitter in the air. This will not only make some awesome photos, it will help relax the kids and make it fun.
Let the Fun Begin
After the super posed pics are done, make sure to have some fun! Have the kids jump in the air. Make sure your shutter speed is set at 1/500th of a second or faster to stop motion. Have the guys give you their best GQ/James Bond pose or ask everyone to look at each other and laugh. And of course, if the kids have any ideas, go with it. It is, after all, their night.
Give your teens and yourself memories to keep for a lifetime and capture the magic of the moment using these tips for some awesome prom photos this year.
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