Wedding and couple photography is one of those things that feels so romantic and glorified UNTIL you find yourself bombarded with thousands of curated Pinterest images (maybe you grabbed them, maybe your bride did), trying to sift through to find the few you want to recreate. All the while your couple is disappointed and looking at you like, “This isn’t what we hired you for.”

Maybe you can relate? I felt like a TOTAL FRAUD taking other photographers images and replicating them early on at my sessions. My couples weren’t impressed, I felt embarrassed, and truthfully, I was questioning whether or not I was even supposed to be a photographer because really, anyone can just replicate what they see on the internet. It takes real creativity and sincerity to be a great photographer.

What I didn’t know then was capturing real passion and telling a couples story goes so far beyond posing…we have to authentically and genuinely capture two peoples story in a creative way. 

The #1 mistake I saw photographers in the industry making when it comes to building posing couples and getting into a session rhythm… HOPING FOR THE BEST AND PRAYING THEIR COUPLES KNOW WHAT TO DO.

NEWSFLASH: your couples don’t know how to show up. All those beautiful, candid images on Instagram and TikTok…those are all created in a safe space. That photographer had to show up big time.They had to do the behind-the-scenes work before they even showed up and they had to get really clear on what their ultimate goal was.

 So, I’m sharing 3 ways to rock your next portrait session and what I focused on when I wanted to build my photography empire from a $300 Craigslist camera to my six-figure empire, so keep reading, friend!

Cheers!
Taylor

That’s why I’ve created this cheat sheet on how to rock your next couple portrait session!

Tip One

Create a safe space

It should go without saying that for your couples to really open up with you and share their story in front of your camera, they have to trust you. Building trust with your couples starts on your social media platforms (ie: website, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, etc.) If you’re showing up vulnerably, they will, too. 

No matter how you do it, you need to take the time to get to know your couples, so here are a few ideas on how to do that:

1. Send a questionnaire before their session asking questions about their story.

2. Meet up for coffee or a beer at a local place where you can get to know one another and start building trust.

3. Spend quality time at your session asking questions and really, truly, sincerely listening to their answers. 

Tip Two

Be the expert

How would you feel if you went to the dentist and upon sitting down your doctor asked you, “So, how do you want me to do this root canal today? I have some ideas, but would really like to know what your opinion is.” You’d probably freak the heck out and walk out. Right? 

So apply this to your photo sessions: your couple has hired you to be the expert in your field.

Do you have to know everything? Not at all.

Should you ignore any requests your couple might have for photos or creative captures? Of course not.

Being the expert means knowing what you’re getting into in the most prepared way possible. You should be able to offer advice on the best time to capture their session for romantic lighting, offer up suggestions on what to wear, and above all, be ready to teach them about posing and offering prompts so they can immediately feel relaxed and like the pressure is off of them.

 

Tip Three

Focus on prompts

I cannot stress enough how important it is to be prepared with a plethora of prompts for your next photo shoot. Using prompts gives your couple something to focus on outside of being the muse of your camera (which let’s be honest, is super intimidating).

My entire photography game changed both on my camera and in my business when I started using prompts to run my photo shoots. My couples had so much more fun, they referred me to the moon and back, and bonus: they’ve remained some of our dearest friends and most loyal clients. 

Why? Because they trusted me because of how I chose to run my sessions and the time I took to get to know their story by way of prompts. Sure, I offer advice on posing (which seriously, you can learn in a few hours) and how to make folks look their best, but the prompts I have chosen to use for my sessions have build an unshakeable bond between me and my couples. 

Make a list of prompts you want to use at your next session and watch the magic come to life!

 

Hey girl

YOU WERE MADE FOR THIS.

I believe we each have a calling in life; an irresistible tug that never seems to subside, no matter how much we try to ignore it or how busy we find ourselves each day.

I believe you were meant to listen to that little voice.

I believe the world deserves to experience it.

And I believe my calling is to help you get there.

I‘m Taylor. I’m a photographer, educator, and business coach. I’m also a wife, a proud mama to two little boys, and I spend my mornings sipping coffee with the five alpacas outside my back door. But no matter how I attempt to define myself, one of the greatest joys in my life is helping fellow women define and discover themselves, and to help guide their photographic calling in life. 

For the past decade, I’ve had the honor of spending thousands of hours behind the camera, capturing love stories, photographing miracles, and witnessing genuine happiness. Leaving behind a corporate career, this calling in life has allowed me to live the life of my choosing. It has given me the freedom to provide for my family while giving me the time to be present with them. To get paid to travel the world. To work when I want. To spend time outdoors. To practice yoga. To watch my boys grow. To embrace this life.

I’m here to to help you live the life of your own choosing.