This is an underlying skill that you can use as a foundation to working with prompts. It’s a good way to practice the confidence needed to guide your clients in front of the lens, and a useful analogy for thinking about how to structure a photo session. When planning a session at a new location of with new clients, for example, you can use this to plan a “scene” for each moment that you want to capture.
Direct the scene: channel your inner director
This prompt tends to be more on the posed and directive (literally) side of the posing spectrum but it can also be a useful way to think about photo opportunities that would typically be captured in an entirely documentary style, such as a wedding ceremony. Break the ceremony into “scenes” in your head (e.g. the vows, the first kiss, the exit, etc) and imagine how those moments would be captured in a movie (e.g. close up? Wide, to show the guests’ reactions? And so on).
How to use this photo pose prompt
You can be as literal with this prompt as suits your personality and style. Put the concept up front with your clients: “Ok, let’s set up a little scene. Imagine you’ve just met each other at the airport after being apart for 12 months…” or alternatively, use it as a mental tool to plan how you want your photograph to turn out. Imagination Land or Let Out the Intimate are great prompts to help with scenario ideas.
Prompt: Direct the scene
- Imagine your photo session as a scene. Set up the premise, then “action” it (literally call “Action!” if it helps).
- Focus on what’s needed to convey the story and emotion of the moment.
- What frame of mind do you want your subjects to be in?
- What’s their motivation?
- How should their bodies speak to the camera?
- What expressions do you want on their faces?
- Select further prompts to illicit emotions, as necessary.
Creative extension
- Switch roles and have your clients be the directors. Say: “Imagine it’s 10 years from now, and the two of you are cuddled up on your lounge, flipping through an album of today’s photoshoot. The page falls open and you see the perfect photo, your favorite photo of all time. Describe it to me. What’s happening in that photo?”
- Use their answer to help guide them into setting up that perfect photo.
Tag @promptographerguide and use the hashtag #promptographerguide to share your results.
Want this prompt in your Field Cards set?
All the info in this prompt post is summarized onto a single card in the Promptographer Guide Field Cards, with the details given in the accompanying Guidebook. All the ideas are given on the one card so you have a rich, comprehensive tool for sparking ideas. I’ve designed it this way so you only need five to ten cards to build a whole photoshoot.
If you want this prompt in your set, make sure you include Set 1: Individuals and Couples Essentials in your Field Cards.
