Whether you have a couple of bubbly, fun-loving extroverts in front of your camera, or a quiet, reversed couple that you’d like to help loosen up, this prompt is useful for bringing movement, laughs and unpredictability to your photo set.
I first published this prompt on ShootProof with a bunch of others perfect for the romantic portrait session of the wedding day. Head over there to check out the entire set: it’s sequenced out ready to pump into the field and deploy with your next couple shoot.
Photo prompts for laughs and energy in couple, engagement and wedding photography
This is a great prompt for an exuberant couple giddy with the excitement of the ceremony. These ideas bring out energy and big movement, so lead by example with your enthusiasm!
How to use this photo pose prompt
With all high energy prompts, be considerate of your clients’ personalities. Extroverts might be happy to dive into active prompts, but introverts will want to warm up first before they get crazy in front of your lens. Have your camera ready to capture moving targets (e.g. fast shutter, continuous focus mode), call out the instructions and shoot away.
Prompt 1: Walk it off
- Do a drunk walk: have them link arms and walk as if drunk, holding each other up as they stumble home from the bar (think bumping hips and big exaggerated movements). When Leslie from Leslie Black Photography uses this prompt, she tells her couples: Only look at your partner, not where you’re going. Take gigantic steps crossing your feet over, and lean on each other. Don’t stop until I say so!
- Have the groom pick up the bride and piggyback her (help with dress if necessary)–and then have them swap, if the bride can hold him!
Prompt 2: Sneak attack
- Have one stand still, and the other sneak up from behind, and wrap them in a hug or a storm of tickles. The person in front is almost always surprised, even if they think they won’t be!
- Repeat the above with the couple swapping places; have the sneak attacker instead come up really silently and blow air or whisper something into the other’s ear, while trying not to be detected.
Prompt 3: Kiss conflict
- Have one try to kiss the other, as they try their best to avoid being kissed. If you love awkward confusion, then you can make this more entertaining by giving each person different instructions without the other’s knowledge.
- Have one pull the other in close, and kiss him/her anywhere by the lips, and tease with an “almost kiss.” Tell them: get really, really close to kissing—but don’t kiss until I say so! Capture the teasing and the kiss at the end.
Prompt 4: Big and bold
- To loosen up and bring in some great movement, have them gradually increase their movement while you cheer them on.
- Tell them: get big and bold! Run around, flail your arms, spin on the spot! Imagine you are a two-year-old who’s just eaten an entire chocolate bar! Exaggerate every movement!
Creative extension
- Do this not just with the couple, but with an entire bridal party on the wedding day. Especially Big and Bold: keep cheering them on, keep encouraging, even when the energy slackens. Shout: Bigger! Keep going! Go crazy! Then finally let them all rest and capture the shared laughs and grins as they relax together.
Do you love getting a bit crazy with your couples? Tag me @promptographerguide and use the hashtag #promptographerguide to share your photos.
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 4: Energy Moments in your Field Cards.
