What to say to clients during a photoshoot: 40 lines that work
Short answer: give clients something to do or feel, not a body part to move. “Whisper your favorite pizza topping in her ear” gets a real laugh. “Tilt your head 15 degrees” gets a stiff face. Below are 40 lines that work, four for each of 10 session types, taken from our Say & Shoot pose cards.
Why prompts beat directions
Directions (“chin down, shoulders back”) make people think about their bodies, and thinking looks tense on camera. A prompt gives them a small task, a memory or a joke. The pose happens as a side effect and the expression is real. Keep prompts short, say them with energy, and shoot during the reaction, not after it.
Jump to: Headshots & branding · Couples · Engagement · Weddings · Maternity · Families · Women · Men · Kids · Seniors
Headshots & branding
The Easy AnchorHeadshots & Branding · Beginner
“Cross your arms loosely, like you're waiting for a friend. Chin up a hair, and think of your favorite client.”
The Desk LeanHeadshots & Branding · Beginner
“Lean forward and rest your forearms on the desk. Now tell me the one thing your customers always thank you for.”
The Window TurnHeadshots & Branding · Beginner
“Stand a step from the window and turn your face toward the light. Now look at me like I just said something clever.”
The Notebook PauseHeadshots & Branding · Beginner
“Hold your pen over the page like you're mid-thought. When I count three, look up at me as if I walked in.”
Couples
The Forehead RestCouples · Beginner
“Lean in until your foreheads touch, close your eyes, and take one slow breath together. Let a smile sneak in when it wants to.”
The Hand-in-Hand WalkCouples · Beginner
“Hold hands and walk toward me really slowly, like you've got nowhere to be. One of you whisper something ridiculous to the other.”
The Back HugCouples · Beginner
“One of you wrap your arms around the other from behind. Front person, hold their forearms and lean back like you're being warmed up.”
The Porch Step SitCouples · Beginner
“Sit side by side on the step, shoulders touching. Now both of you look at the camera and bump knees whenever you feel like it.”
Engagement
The Chest RestEngagement · Beginner
“Rest your left hand flat on his chest. Both of you look down at the ring, and tell him what you love about it.”
The Hand CradleEngagement · Beginner
“Hold her hand in both of yours like it's something precious. Look at the ring together, then glance up at each other and smile.”
The Handlebar HuddleEngagement · Beginner
“Park the bikes side by side and lean on the handlebars. Turn toward each other and trade your best trail-ride story.”
The Doorframe PairEngagement · Beginner
“Lean your shoulder on the doorframe, and let her stand close, facing you. She tucks a hand in your pocket and teases you.”
Weddings
The Window BrideWeddings · Beginner
“Stand a step back from the window, shoulders turned toward the light. Now look out at the morning like it's full of good news.”
The Cufflink FussWeddings · Beginner
“Look down and fix your cufflink like nobody's watching. Take your time, and let me know when you're thinking about her walking in.”
The Turnaround GaspWeddings · Beginner
“Close your eyes, stay still, and wait for the tap on your shoulder. When you turn, breathe in and just look at each other.”
The Boutonniere PinWeddings · Beginner
“Bride, pin the flower to his lapel while he looks down at your hands. Groom, hold still and try not to grin too early.”
Maternity
The Cradle HoldMaternity · Beginner
“Stand sideways to me, rest both hands under your belly like you're holding a bowl, and look down at it with a soft smile.”
The Heart FrameMaternity · Beginner
“Both of you, make a heart with your hands on the bump, then look at each other and whisper the baby's nickname.”
The Window BreathMaternity · Beginner
“Stand sideways to the window, hands resting on the bump, and take one slow breath in. Now look out the glass.”
The Bump HugMaternity · Beginner
“Partner, step in behind her and wrap both arms under the bump. Lean your cheek against her head and breathe together.”
Families
The Huddle HugFamilies · Beginner
“Squeeze in tight, shoulders touching, heads tipped toward the middle. Now everyone whisper your silliest word to the person on your left.”
The Porch PileFamilies · Beginner
“Everybody grab a step, any step, and lean toward the person beside you. Little ones in front, and tell me your best pancake order.”
The Grandparent AnchorFamilies · Beginner
“Grandma and Grandpa, take the sofa and sit tall. Everyone else, stand behind and rest a hand on a shoulder. Squeeze a little!”
The Family StrollFamilies · Beginner
“Walk slowly toward me, side by side, and keep talking to each other. Somebody tell the funniest thing that happened this week.”
Women
The Shoulder GlanceWomen · Beginner
“Turn your body slightly away from me, then look back over your near shoulder like someone just called your name.”
The Window GazeWomen · Beginner
“Sit sideways to the window and look out toward the sky, like you're remembering something really good. Chin level, nice and easy.”
The Hair TuckWomen · Beginner
“Tuck your hair behind one ear with your fingertips, then look at me and smile like I just said something funny.”
The Pocket StrollWomen · Beginner
“Walk slowly toward me with one hand in your pocket. Glance down at your shoes, then up at me with a grin.”
Men
The Pocket LeanMen · Beginner
“Lean one shoulder against the wall, slip a thumb into your pocket, and think about the last meal that made you really happy.”
The Cuff FixMen · Beginner
“Look down and fix your cuff like you're running late, then glance up at me when I say your name.”
The Doorway FrameMen · Beginner
“Step into the doorway, rest your hand on the frame above your head, and tell me where you'd go on a free Saturday.”
The Slow StrollMen · Beginner
“Walk toward me at half your normal speed, hands loose, and look off to the side like something just caught your eye.”
Kids
The Roaring DinoKids · Beginner
“You're a giant dinosaur! Curl your hands into claws, stomp one big foot, and give me your loudest, scariest ROAR!”
The Tiptoe SpyKids · Beginner
“Secret agent time! Sneak across the room on tiptoes, super slow, and peek over your shoulder at me like someone's following you.”
The Cape StanceKids · Beginner
“You just got superpowers! Plant your feet, fists on your hips, chin up, and tell me what your power is.”
The Giggle HideKids · Beginner
“Cover your whole face with your hands like you're hiding, then count to three and pop them open with a big surprise face!”
Seniors
The Diploma HoldSeniors · Beginner
“Hold the diploma cover across your chest with both hands, shoulders back, and look at me like you just heard your name called.”
The Tassel FlickSeniors · Beginner
“Reach up and play with your tassel like it's the best thing you've ever earned. Now laugh because it's actually kind of tickly.”
The Cap TipSeniors · Beginner
“Pinch the front edge of your cap and tilt it down just a little, then peek at me from underneath. Give me a half smile.”
The Helmet HipSeniors · Beginner
“Tuck your helmet against your hip with one hand, plant your feet, and give me the look you wear before kickoff.”
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Get 10 free cards (PDF)Questions
What should I say to a nervous client during a photoshoot?
Give them a small action or a feeling instead of a pose instruction, for example asking a couple to whisper a secret or asking someone to look back over their shoulder like a friend just called their name. Prompts like these create real expressions.
What is the difference between a posing prompt and a posing direction?
A direction tells someone how to move a body part. A prompt gives them something to do, feel or remember, and the pose follows naturally.
How many posing prompts do I need for a session?
For a one-hour session, 15 to 25 prompts is plenty. Pick 4 or 5 per location or outfit and repeat favorites with variations.
Can I use these lines in paid client sessions?
Yes. These 40 lines are free to use in your own sessions. The full Say & Shoot deck has 200 cards across 10 session types.