“I have this girlfriend who didn’t go to hers, and every once in a while, she gets this really terrible feeling–you know, like something is missing. She checks her purse, and then she checks her keys. She counts her kids, she goes crazy, and then she realizes that nothing is missing. She decided it was side effects from skipping the prom”–Iona (Pretty in Pink)
I can’t mention PROM without referencing Pretty in Pink. It isn’t possible.
Walton High School Prom is tonight! There are a couple of schools having them this early which seems cold for all the strapless gowns we will see! Whether yours is tonight or in a few months, I have some tips to get the best prom pictures.
How to get the Best Prom Pictures
- Details: Take “detail shots.” Take some snapshots of the time when you are getting ready. Are you getting your hair professionally styled? Capture the moments leading up to the prom. Take a picture of your hair from the back, your earrings, fancy nails, shoes, dress hanging ready to wear and maybe even the big mess you made to look perfect!
- Cliche: Corsage and pinning boutonnière shots are mandatory. You can’t NOT do it.
- Outdoor-sy: If possible, take your prom pictures outdoors. The light outside will be much more beautiful and create more lovely pictures. It will show the colors and details of your dress better and allow you to avoid harsh flash photography. Even if it is cold outside, go out for a quick photo session.
- Background: Choose one that isn’t too distracting and as flattering as possible. Trees or nature is an obvious choice but see my next tip as it is more important to me!
- Light: Find the best even soft light outside. Choose the location for your picture based on the light and not backdrop. Moms or Dads may say to go stand by the beautiful blooming azalea bush but is it in direct sunlight that will make you squint? If you start your photo session earlier in the day instead of late afternoon, you may need to find a shaded area so the light does not cause harsh shadows on your face.
- Posing: Ladies, do not stand straight facing the camera especially with your arms hanging down. If something on your body bends, bend it slightly. Angle your body towards the camera and shift your weight to your back leg. If you put your hand on your hip, make sure your elbow is not out too far out in an exaggerated way. Keep that arm relaxed and consider putting it on your date’s arm if he is available.
- Face: Remember to put your face a little forward so you don’t have a double chin and you are showing a jawline.
- Friends: Invite your friends over for a photo session. This is much more fun. I even did this when I went to the prom in the 1800’s. I still have those pictures of all of us together and it made it less awkward to be taking pictures with a date.
- Papparazzi: If you have many parents taking pictures of your group at the same time, make sure they take turns. It is the worst to have 100 pictures of a group and everyone in the picture is always looking in a different direction. Paparazzi Parents should take turns getting a picture of the group so everyone has eyes looking at one person/camera.
- Candid: Get some candid shots of your group talking and not so posed. These are often more fun and will be your favorites. If things are feeling awkward and too stiff in your pictures, try these first. Do some silly pictures just to break the ice. It will make everyone relax.
- Closeness: Stand unnaturally close in your pictures with your date and also in a big group. Temporarily erase your thoughts of personal space for a moment. Everyone should be touching just a little with no gaps between people. It makes for a better picture.
- Girlfriends: Get some shots of just the girls (and just the guys). You will definitely want to have some special pictures of you and your girlfriends. Your high school girlfriends will always be special to you and you will want those pictures the most. I hate to say it but some of the guys could be out of the picture in the future but your girlfriend pics can be displayed for a long time!
- Girlfriends Part II: Again with the elbows… if you are in a picture with 4 other friends, don’t all of you have your arms on your hips with elbows out. Mix it up. Two of you can have an arm loosely on a hip (not too high) but have the others put arms on a friend’s shoulder or arm. It will still keep the arm from being against the body tight and if you are angled to the camera you will look slimmer and it will be flattering.
- Advanced: For the group shots, have everyone stand at a different level and do something different. Avoid long lines of a group with everyone standing the same way. Mixing it up will make your group pictures much more interesting.
- Guys: Feel free to put your hands in your pockets if you don’t know what to do with them. DO NOT jam them deep in the pockets and keep a thumb out of the pocket. Consider doing this with one hand and have the other hand on your date’s back.
- Angle: Vary the shots so they aren’t all the same. Close-ups, Wide shots to show full dress..mix it up.
- Outsource: Hire a professional photographer so you don’t have to think of anything and just be in the moment. Let them guide your posing for the most flattering shots. If you have a group of friends, this is very affordable when split between couples.
- FUN: Have lots of fun on your very memorable night!
Leading up to the big event use this Prom Timeline and Checklist by PromDress.net.
Follow Lisa’s board Prom Photography on Pinterest.
Search for pictures of cast pictures on TV shows for great examples of groups of people posed but not doing the same thing.
See how in these groups even when they are lined up, they aren’t completely straight? They vary their poses and everyone is doing something different. Also note that you don’t see very wide elbows with hands on hips by all the girls. These pictures are much more “Hollywood” than yours will be but use it as a guideline.
