The third course that I took for the International Academy for Wedding Photographers was Mastering your camera & posing for weddings with Chris Mortensen & Matt Kennedy.  I learned SO much from this course (I feel like that’s a reoccurring theme with these classes) that it was hard to pick just a few things I wanted to share, but I managed to get it done!

The first module of this course was all about HOW my camera works, and I knew that information, but it was good to review that before I got into the most fun parts so here it goes!

***Flash! I’ve been working more and more on my off camera flash and this class was a great start to help boost that. I learned more about the exposure compensation with flash, and it kind of all started to click. I also changed my cameras both to rear curtain flash, and know what that does now! Woohoo!

*** The modules further into the course was less about the camera itself and more about posing. The good part!  Matt gave some tips on how he usually goes about his engagement shoots (if you’ve been in front of my camera for one, it may sound familiar!).  First he starts with some walking shots. Getting your pictures taken is totally awkward, and it’s easier to literally move into it. Walking shots are also great when moving from one location to another! As the photographer, you need to control movement by giving them something to do! Have a position you want them to move into and tweak it from there. Help them with pre-directions! He talks about some games you can play with your clients to help get some more natural emotion from clients as well!

***I’ve given this tip on another one of my Academy blog posts because I love it THAT MUCH! What Makes The Difference. What(wide) Makes (middle) The (tight) Difference (details). This is a great way of shooting ANY session. It gives you diversity through the session, and makes it great for blog posts and albums!

I loved this fun engagement session, and used these images for one of my assignments pertaining to this mod.

***Some of the top tips I got to making your clients look the best you can!
-Eyes: The Squinch. The master of headshots, Peter Hurley, talks ALL THE TIME about the squinch and Matt explained it like this. You’re not squinting, but trying to bring your lower eyelid up. Try it. #SHABANG
-Arms: No right angles. Make sure there is space between their body, and make sure the girls elbows are inside the guys.
-Hands: No palm or the back of the had to camera, thumbs out of pockets, no hands on belly-that doesn’t look good for anyone
-Fingers: Make sure there is a natural curve to the hand (like holding a remote or a ball), and only use one finger to swipe hair out of the way.
We’re here to flatter people! No matter what their shape or size!

This was the screenshot of my portrait session pose variety assignment!

***A big detail they kept honing on was MAKE THEM MOVE. When there’s movement in posing, the images just look better and the clients feel more relaxed quicker, and then everyone has more fun!

There was seriously SO much more information in this class that I really couldn’t share it all on one blog post. I’ve continued to implement everything I’ve learned from this class in each of my sessions and it has made posing during my sessions that much easier!!

If you’re interested in learning more about The International Academy of Wedding Photographers, you can check that out HERE! You wouldn’t be disappointed! 🙂