It was a masterclass in how to direct and prompt people to create ‘candid but curated’ images. Today, a little teaser:

3 go to direction scripts Rachel uses at every wedding.

*see details of the workshop replay and the Lensel PRO membership here.

Let’s go⬇

Rachel doesn’t really ‘pose’ people.

As she says “everyone just all of a sudden looses their mind when you’re like Okay, I’m taking your picture now.”

Instead she does something else.

She uses key phrases the trick people into being natural and looking great.

1. THE FAKE WRAP

"Yep, you're done. You guys can go."

It’s a classic that works every time for the natural, candid, in the moment shot.

Rachel strategically saves the actual set up she wants for the very end. While she’s setting it up the couple thinks she is just testing her light, finding her frame, and figuring it out…

So she tells them they're done. AND keeps shooting.

They relax. They turn naturally. They walk away together. THAT is the shot.

2. GIVE THEM A JOB
"Can you grab that chair and move it over here?"

It’s not about telling people how to pose and stand. This one is all about telling people what to do and keeping them BUSY.

"Crawl onto the bed and lay on his arm like you guys are watching TV."

A task gives their brain somewhere to go that isn't ‘I’m getting a picture taken"‘. Meanwhile you're master minding where everyone ends up and how the final images looks.

So find your frame. Give them a job and make that magic.

3. DO IT AGAIN

"That was so cute. You have to do that again."

Most photographers are SCARED of this kind of line.

Asking a couple to do something again might feel awkward - like a no go. BUT during the portraits? You're allowed. Who knew….

Rachel tells a story of how she stepped out of the room for a second. When she came back, the bride had jumped over the groom onto the bed and they were both cracking up. This was a bride who went serious every time the camera came up.

Finally a real moment, but she kinda missed it. So she asked for it back. "Walk around and jump over him again."

And it worked. Because of how she asked.

Not "can we try that again?"
Not making it feel like a correction.
JUST Pure excitement. "That was so cute."

Sometimes it’s not about inventing a moment or a pose. It’s about spotting something the couple does that looks great, and enhancing it.

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