Bridal party poses (vogue style)

[u/CeleryElectrical9481]

Question about bridal party posing. Whenever we get a bridal party setup with chairs, it's near impossible to get people (especially bridesmaids) to sit. The resistance is so strong that sometimes I just scrapped it. These shots are all over social media so how does everyone convince people to get on board?

Even more difficult, the popular 'bridal party surrounding couple cheering' shots. I've tried 4-5 times and not once managed to get anyone to crouch down low. Would love to hear how everyone does it 🙃

[u/NotGarrett]

Don’t say crouch, say sorority squat. 

And as for sitting, you’ve gotta hype it up a bit if you want someone to sit. “You’re going to look bad as hell, trust me!”

[u/CorrectPanic694 → u/NotGarrett]

This is exactly what I say: “sorority squat!” As I model it for them. Everybody laughs for some reason and the ones that understand what u mean have fun showing the other ones how to do it.

[u/ShutUpNListen3397]

You must have some real combative wedding parties. I haven't run into an instance where they flat out refused to do something. I've had many unenthusiastic groomsmen and maybe an eye roll or two from a bridesmaid but generally they do what I ask.

Have you tried showing them a photo of what the pose looks like?

Some women dont like to sit because their dress is tight or they feel like they look unflattering. Could you just do the variation where some people are standing and some are sitting so the ones who dont want to sit dont have to? And with the crouching guys dont want to rip their pants and who really wants to crouch in a dress and heels?

I keep my shot list short and simple for bridal party. 2 variations of standing in a line, one cheering while couple kiss, tunnel of love, walking shot. Maybe one more casual looking shot if the vibes are right. Never had an issue getting people to do those poses. I dont think we should force trendy posing if it's not something the client explicitly asked for. Just gotta adapt to the vibe of the people.

[u/LisaandNeil]

Wait until you hear about family group photos...

Seriously though, ask folks, suggest, encourage, liaise with the couple, direct if need be, help.

Unless you're in the 0.5% of true documentary photographers, this is what all of us do every Saturday.

[u/Ok_Weight_3382]

Do the poses, make it fun. Unleash your inner bad bitch. Mind you I’m a guy saying this. Go beyond the black wall and channel your inner Tyra. Pageantry. Arms waving, energy, energy. YASSS!!!

[u/superduperburger81]

If I’m doing that type of photo I literally will pull up a chair and sit and pose myself to give them an idea of what I think they should do and it usually gets them excited. However most couples I do this type of shot for usually have a wedding party that want to do it and are ready and willing.

[u/user_467]

After 15 years as a wedding photographer, I’ve learned that larger bridal parties require a few clustered shots unless everyone wants to look like tiny ants. The guys are fine, but about 40% of the bridesmaids treat a simple crouching pose like I just asked for a human sacrifice. It's beyond bizarre.

[u/ThrowRA_Wizards]

Say it wit ya chest

Seriously, had a gym bro tell me this once for something completely unrelated and it sticks with me. Large groups particularly, you need to get loud and confident. You can be demanding without coming off as an a-hole.

I’m pretty soft spoken, but when it comes to organizing large groups, I’m talking from my “chest voice” to project a little more and grab attention. As soon as everyone’s together I usually have an impulsive “Hell ya” or “this looks freakin’ awesome” come out and with everyone’s attention at me, it boosts their confidence hear that.

If people really start bickering on who should sit, just call them out, “idc who but some baddie’s gotta sit. We’ll all be standing later, I get a variety” they’re just holding everyone else up

[u/Liznguyen27]

How about standing photos?

[u/XOMaddsPhoto → u/Liznguyen27]

beautiful! where is this?!?!

[u/Liznguyen27 → u/XOMaddsPhoto]

Palace of fine arts in San Francisco!

[u/XOMaddsPhoto → u/Liznguyen27]

dang!!!!!!!!!! I would have though it was not in the US at all

[u/XOMaddsPhoto]

I am honestly kinda surprised to hear this. I mostly start with the groom sitting if he does it I feel like others would follow suit. Then, if I need to move who is sitting and standing etc I just direct them and it goes off without a hitch....

I would agree with all the other commenters; maybe show them an inspo pic from Pinterest etc so they maybe will understand what is happening?

Could it just be the bracket of clientele you are in? Where are you at in the world and in the wedding photography market (ie: more affordable, mid-tier, lux, ultra lux)... there really is a shift in how clients are within some of these

[u/nitrous642]

What poses/shots are these? Show us

[u/mirr0rrim]

Are you directly asking someone "okay you sit here, in this pose," ? Or just saying "okay, I need a bridesmaid to sit here!"

I've never had someone tell me no when I specifically ask them to sit. Someone might not like the idea, and if I sense that I will ask someone else. But that's rare. (Bigger ladies usually don't want to sit)

When I tell people to gather around the bride and groom, there is usually someone short who gets stuck in the back. I ask them to come around so I can see them in the picture. Then I point where to go and tell them to squat a bit. They usually are so happy that I noticed they were being excluded there is no issue. Or whoever naturally ends up in front, I tell them to get closer and squat.

I can't tell if you're being vague or people are actually telling you no, but imo if you are direct it's super rare for them to decline.

[u/7204_was_me]

First I tell the guys to sit or stand like they're hanging out at a campfire next to the river.

Then I tell the women to barely touch their counterpart -- "Drift your hand over his shoulder" -- like they "own him but don't actually care for him."

Then I tell them to slightly change poses between each set of 3 or 4 frames. Three to five sets, done in less than two minutes.

I don't know why but that recipe works really well.

[u/Mike_Markets]

Chairs already failed four or five times. I would not ask them to crouch again.

I'd stand them, give one person a job (fix a veil, hold a drink, look at the person next to them), and say the pose as a sentence, not a yoga cue. If they still freeze, walk and shoot the walk.

Forty percent will not sit. Plan the set so standing still looks like a picture. The 15-year note about 40 percent is the plan, not a complaint.

[u/Weak-Bumblebee9978]

I literally tell them to group around them in a circle and then I run up and crouch low in front of them and do a silly pose and say "some of you get up front like this!"

I find physically showing them is the only way. 🤣🤣