Two kids in summer clothing stand together in a sunny meadow with golden light and bokeh effects in background.
Someone wearing a blue graduation cap and dark jacket walks down a narrow alley between brick buildings on a sunny day.
Intimate couple embraces at sunset on urban train platform, person in red top and striped shirt share tender moment in fredericksburg VA

Run away and when I tell you to stop turn around and look at me with a big smile

Show me how you would walk if you were modeling down a runway

sniff her ear

The Magic of Silly Prompts: How "Unposing" Gets the Real Shots

Okay, let’s talk about poses. You know those awkward "everyone stare directly at the camera" photos where everyone looks like they’re hostages at a family reunion? Yeah, we’re not doing that. Instead, we’re throwing that stiff, awkward nonsense out the window and letting loose with “the unpose.”

What’s an unpose? Think prompts that make everyone laugh, connect, or—let’s be real—forget I’m even standing there with a camera. It’s all about real moments, real smiles, and the stuff that makes your photos scream you.

Here are some of my go-to prompts to get clients out of their heads and into the fun:

Family Prompts

  • “Stinky Feet Alert!”: I’ll casually tell everyone to look at the person who has the stinkiest feet. Chaos ensues, the kids crack up, and we all know Dad’s getting roasted. Win-win.
  • “Family Parade”: I’ll have the family walk together like they’re leading a parade, tossing in silly waves and exaggerated steps. Sometimes it’s like Cirque du Soleil out there.
  • “Group Squeeze”: Nothing beats a good ol’ family sandwich. Everyone hugs, someone complains they can’t breathe, and boom—genuine smiles all around.

Toddler, Kid, and Teen Prompts

  • For the Little Ones: “Run straight at me like a superhero!” They love it. I probably have to dodge them mid-snap, but it’s worth it.
  • For Older Kids: “What’s the goofiest dance move you’ve got?” Spoiler: It’s usually something TikTok-inspired and borderline embarrassing. And I love it.
  • For Teens (who think they’re too cool): I hit ’em with “Give me your best ‘celebrity walking into the Grammys’ face.” Cue smirks, chuckles, and Instagram-worthy shots.

Couple Prompts

  • “Forehead Feelings”: “Touch foreheads like you’re plotting world domination.” Works like a charm.
  • “Walk and Whisper”: I’ll have them stroll hand in hand while one whispers something goofy like, “I just stole a cookie off the dessert table.” Trust me—the laughs are real.
  • “Spin and Dip”: A little dramatic flair never hurt anyone. Plus, it’s hella romantic.

Solo Prompts

  • “Movie Star Moment”: “Walk towards me like you’re in a slow-motion movie scene and just saved the world.” That confident stride? Chef’s kiss.
  • “Twirl Like Nobody’s Watching”: Okay, someone is watching (me), but it still works. Twirls, spins, and big laughs always look fab.
  • “Serious but Not”: “Think serious thoughts... like why did ‘Y2K fashion’ come back?” Cue laughs and cute, natural smiles.

Why Silly (or otherwise) Prompts Work

Here’s the thing: people look best when they’re being themselves. Forced smiles are boring. But get someone belly laughing about stinky feet or reenacting a slow-mo walk from an action movie? That’s gold.

The unpose takes all the pressure off you to look or act “perfect” (because perfect is boring). Instead, you’re just hanging out, having a blast while I sneakily get the best shots of your life. You know, no big deal.

So next time you book a session with me, leave the Pinterest pose board at home. Let’s get silly, have fun, and capture the real you.