21 Groomsmen Posing Cues From Wedding Photographers

Alice Houstons

Updated on:

how to photograph groomsmen wedding photography guide

The art of posing is developed through trial and error, repetition, and dedicated study. Photographers are all handed a similar tool and asked to create their own unique representation of how they see the world. What characterizes a photographer’s work and what sets it apart is their imagination and execution, creating an inspired idea from an expansive library of knowledge, and years of diligent practice.

Image by Chad DiBlasio
Image by Chad DiBlasio (Website/Instagram)

We recently launched our latest workshop, Photographing the Groom, in which we teach our approach to capturing incredible images of the groom and his groomsmen.   While the 9-hour course is comprehensive, it’s important to remember that there are many ways to achieve great results.

So we’ve asked award-winning wedding photographers, each with their different niches & skills, to help provide some insight when it comes to eliciting dynamic, hilarious, and editorial poses from your groom & groomsmen.

1. Click, Strike a Pose

Southern California based photographer and cinematographer, Ning Wong, tells the guys, “Each time I yell ‘CLICK!’ they have to change their pose. Think of it like you’re in a photo booth. I let them know that they should never pose the same as the person next to you, and the more ridiculous looking, the better. Usually the poses are pretty tame at first, but then they get a crazier over time.”

Image by Ning Wong
Image by Ning Wong (Website/Instagram)

2. Back-Lighting for Dramatic Effect

“Maybe it’s because I also like edgy photos with a little more contrast where a lot of times brides will want the more softer look, so I just find the best light, use flash, or just have the guys be guys, and the fun photos should come naturally” says Nathan Nowack. Back lighting is the perfect technique for those moody cigar shots, giving the subjects just enough separation while illuminating the smoke.

Image by Nathan Nowack
Image by Nathan Nowack (Website/Instagram)
Image by Crystal Stokes
Image by Crystal Stokes (Website/Instagram)
Image by Mike Allebach
Image by Mike Allebach (Website/Instagram)
posing-tips
Image by Nathan Nowack (Website/Instagram)

3. Watch the Hands and Feet!

groomsmen-pose

“A lot of groomsmen will just leave their hands hanging at their sides which looks posed and just awkward. I have 4 basic hand positions I use. Hands in the pockets, one hand in a pocket, arms crossed, and hands on the lapel which I use for the groom a lot. Guys also tend to stand very flat footed and stiff. So I will always have them put all their weight onto one foot. It naturally relaxes their shoulders and gives them a more relaxed look.”

JD Land (Website/Instagram)

4. Channel your inner ________

Sometimes it just takes a little persuasion for grooms to step outside their comfort zone. Ask them to channel their inner gangster, superhero, GQ model, whatever else inspires them to get camera ready.

Image by Jeremy Ellsworth
Image by Jeremy Ellsworth (Website/Instagram)

Dramatic lighting can help set the scene, like this shot from Dan Dalstra:

Image by Dan Dalstra
Image by Dan Dalstra (Website/Instagram/Wedding Maps Profile)

5. “Butts to nuts”

Directions like “go nuts to butts” or Mike Allebach’s choice of “balltap the guy next to you” might help elicit a genuine laugh out of the guys and will most likely break the ice between the photographer and subject. Getting group portraits of candid laughter is always a crowd-pleaser so always be sure to have a couple of phrases like this that might do the trick.

Image by Kara Miller
Image by Kara Miller (Website/Instagram)
Image by Chad DiBlasio
Image by Chad DiBlasio (Website/Instagram)

6. Harass/embarrass the groom

Remember that the friends and family the groom has chosen to surround him on his wedding day know him better than most. Ashley Fisher suggests to simply say, “You have thirty seconds to physically and verbally harass the groom,” and watch as a rowdy group of men tickle and fondle their groom.

Image by Ashley Fisher
Image by Ashley Fisher (Website/Instagram)
Image by Stephane Lemaire
Image by Stephane Lemaire (Website/Instagram)

7. Reservoir Dogs

Mike Allebach has his group walk as if they were straight out of have Quentin Tarantino’s film Reservoir Dogs, one of the easiest poses to execute.

Image by Mike Allebach
Image by Mike Allebach (Website/Instagram)
Image by Dan Dalstra
Image by Dan Dalstra (Website/Instagram)

8. Tell a funny Story

Chad DiBlasio asks, “Who’s known the groom the longest?” and then asks them to tell a story, preferably embarrassing, about the groom. This is an easy way to involve everyone and increase interaction, and Jeremy Ellsworth suggests having the guys call out the token funny guy to get them all laughing. “That either causes an awkward silence followed by laughter or and insult towards the funny guy, followed by laughter.”

Image by Chad DiBlasio
Image by Chad DiBlasio (Website/Instagram)

9. Single out the groom

It is, after all, the groom’s big day, so singling him out amongst his groomsmen and giving him a little solo love with a dramatic lighting setup is one of Pye Jirsa’s favorite techniques.

An image from our Photographing the Groom Workshop!

Image by Dan Dalstra
Image by Dan Dalstra (Website/Instagram)

Shannon Cronin separates the groom from the rest of the guys just for one shot and “usually has the bride or someone off to the side to make him laugh.”

Image by Shannon Cronin
Image by Shannon Cronin (Website/Instagram)

10. Use architecture as a prop

One of the perks of being a wedding photographer is the variety of venues we have at our disposal. Utilize architectural elements of buildings, bars, and rooms to mold and shape your photograph into something unique.

Image by Dan Dalstra
Image by Dan Dalstra (Website/Instagram)

“I try to pose them on stairs or something with layers. Then I tell them to talk to each other and tell stories about the groom and relax a bit. I pretend to load film so they start to feel comfortable. Then it always seems to just click and that’s when I shoot. It creates a nice, fun, relaxed image” says Christina Blanarovich:

Image by Christina Blanarovich
Image by Christina Blanarovich (Website/Instagram)
Image by Lin and Jirsa
Image by Lin and Jirsa (Website/Instagram)

11. Pinterest Posers

Since you are spending a majority of your time getting to know the guys throughout the wedding day, gauge their personalities and then decide whether or not to try certain looks on them. If there’s time, Ning Wong gives the bouquets to the boys and tells them to do their best bridesmaid impression. This is a great way to get them to goof around and loosen up.

Image by Ning Wong
Image by Ning Wong (Website/Instagram)

12. Arm Wrestle

Put a bunch of men in a room together and give them something to compete over, and you are sure to get some awesome action shots.

Image by Mike Allebach
Image by Mike Allebach (Website/Instagram)

13. Play Poker

Although this shot takes a bit of planning, if your groom is a huge poker fan this could be a home-run image. The key to this shot, similar to the tip above, is to have the men interact with one another and really get caught up in the competition.

Image by Lin and Jirsa
Image by Lin and Jirsa (Website/Instagram)
Image by Lin and Jirsa
Image by Lin and Jirsa (Website/Instagram)

14. “Look Pissed”

kenny-kim-groom-pose

Look at me like you’re pissed off because because I am taking too long doing this photoshoot.” – Kenny Kim (Website/Instagram)

Bridal party photos are always a great place for your couples’ personality to shine on their wedding day. One of the best ways to please your clients is to really help capture the fun they have with some of the people they love the most. Groomsmen typically like the take their pictures a little above and beyond the regular “get together and smile” formation. So, here are a few poses that we love having our groomsmen do so that every one of them is having fun and at the same time, giving you exciting moments to capture.

Important Note: These are simply some fun overviews of our favorite poses. Our actual, complete guide to wedding photography will be much more comprehensive and detailed. To understand our wedding photography framework, be sure to pre-register to receive an announcement when we launch our new Wedding Workshop!

15. The Explosion Pose

  • Instruct the guys to jump after you count to 3
  • Make sure no faces are covered
  • Make sure no odd shadows are created

Groomsmen_Jumping_Pose

16. The Pick Up Pose

  • Place the strongest groomsmen in the middle
  • Have the guys pick up the groom
  • Have the guys toss him around to get fun reactions
  • Ensure no backs are turned towards the camera

Pick_Up_Groom_Pose

17. The Selfie Pose

  • Have the groomsmen take out their phones
  • Have them all take selfies
  • Consider fun poses to spice it up
  • Be sure you can see all faces

Groomsmen_Selfie_Pose2

18. The Ring Pose

  • Have the groom hold out his ring hand
  • Instruct everyone to look at the ring with exaggerating excitement
  • Watch For silly moments before and after the actual pose

Groomsmen_Ring_Pose1

19. The Force Pose

  • Have the groom hold out his hand
  • Have the groomsmen jump in unison
  • Consider the “Hadouken” pose or other similar concepts

The_Groomsmen_Force_Pose1

20. FBI Pose

  • Have the groomsmen make fake guns with their hands
  • Have them point in different directions
  • Have them wear sunglasses if available

FBI_Groomsmen_Pose

21. The Caress Pose

  • Instruct the groomsmen to “squeeze the groom on 3”
  • Be ready for crazy reactions

Squeeze_Groomsmen_Pose1

Watch The Video

Learn More

To learn more about our Wedding Workshop, click here!

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