Top 10 'Connection-First' Posing Prompts to learn for beginners to finally stop telling people to 'say cheese' - Goh Ling Yong
We’ve all been there. You’re behind the camera, your clients are in front of you, and an awkward silence hangs in the air. In a moment of panic, you default to the one phrase every photographer secretly dreads: “Okay, everyone look here and… say cheese!” The result? Stiff shoulders, forced smiles, and a photo that feels more like a dental record than a cherished memory. It’s the antithesis of the vibrant, emotion-filled imagery we all strive to create.
The truth is, most people aren’t professional models. They feel awkward and self-conscious in front of a camera. Telling them to "act natural" is like telling someone not to think about a pink elephant—it’s impossible. The secret isn’t to give them more rigid poses to hold, but to give them something to do. This is the core of connection-first photography: creating an environment where genuine emotions and interactions can happen organically. It’s about shifting your role from a director to a facilitator of moments.
If you’re ready to banish "cheese" from your vocabulary forever and start capturing the kind of authentic, heartfelt images that make people feel something, you’re in the right place. These ten connection-first prompts are my go-to's for breaking the ice, easing anxiety, and turning a photoshoot into a fun, memorable experience. Let’s dive in.
1. The Wobbly Walk (or Drunken Walk)
This is the ultimate icebreaker. It’s impossible to do the wobbly walk without cracking a smile, and it’s my favorite way to start a session to instantly get rid of any nervous energy. It’s all about movement, silliness, and letting go of the need to be perfect.
The instruction is simple: "Okay, I want you two to hold hands and walk towards me. The catch is, you have to bump your hips into each other with every step. Try to knock each other off balance a little bit. The more you wobble, the better!" This immediately breaks the "I'm having my picture taken" mindset and replaces it with a fun, physical game.
As they stumble and laugh their way towards you, be ready. Shoot in burst mode to capture the in-between moments—the genuine laughter as one almost falls, the supportive squeeze of a hand, the look they give each other right after a big hip bump. This prompt isn’t about the perfect walk; it’s about the joyful chaos that ensues.
2. Whisper a Secret
Intimacy and connection often live in the quiet moments. This prompt is designed to create one of those moments on demand, resulting in some of the most genuine smiles and tender expressions you’ll ever capture. It works because it creates a private world for your subjects, even with you standing right there.
I usually ask one person to get close and whisper something in their partner’s ear. What they whisper is key, and I give them options to fit the mood. For a fun, laughing shot, I’ll say, "Whisper your favorite breakfast cereal in your most seductive voice." For a more romantic feel, I’ll suggest, "Whisper one thing you love about them that you’ve never said out loud."
The magic isn't just in the whisper itself, but in the reaction. Keep your camera focused and ready for the instant the whisper ends. You'll capture the crinkle in their eyes, the surprised laugh, or the soft, adoring smile that follows. This is pure, unscripted emotion.
3. The Forehead Kiss & Breathe
A forehead kiss is a classic pose, but we can elevate it from a static action to a moment of deep connection. The key is adding a sensory element: the breath. This small addition transforms the prompt from a simple physical act into an emotional experience.
Instead of just saying, "Give her a forehead kiss," guide them through it. "Gently pull her in close and give her a soft kiss on the forehead. But don't pull away just yet. I want you to rest your lips there for a moment and just take a deep breath in together. Feel this moment."
This encourages them to slow down and be present. For the person receiving the kiss, it’s a moment of feeling safe and cherished. For the person giving it, it’s an act of tenderness. As the photographer, this is your cue to focus on the details: the gentle press of lips, eyelashes resting on a cheek, the subtle movement as they breathe.
4. Tell Me About Your Favorite Memory
This prompt is a powerful tool for shifting your clients' focus completely away from the camera and onto their shared history. When people are telling a story they love, their faces light up with genuine emotion. Their body language softens, and they reconnect with each other in a deeply personal way.
Set them up in a comfortable position, maybe sitting close or walking slowly side-by-side. Then, ask a simple, open-ended question: "Tell your partner about your favorite memory together. What happened? How did it make you feel?"
As one person talks, focus on the other's reactions. Capture the listener's smile as they remember the moment, the way they look at their partner with renewed affection. Then, switch your focus to the storyteller—the gestures they use, the sparkle in their eye. You’re no longer just a photographer; you’re documenting the legacy of their love story.
5. The Bear Hug Attack
Time to inject some high-energy fun! This prompt is perfect for families or playful couples and is guaranteed to produce dynamic, joy-filled photos. It’s all about surprise, movement, and uninhibited affection. The unpredictability is what makes it so beautiful.
The instruction is pure fun: "Okay, [Person 1], when I count to three, I want you to run up behind [Person 2] and give them the biggest, squeeziest bear hug you can possibly manage. Lift them up and spin them around if you feel like it!"
Make sure you have a fast shutter speed ready to freeze the action. Capture the initial look of surprise, the explosion of laughter, the way their hair flies as they spin. This is a moment of pure, unadulterated play. It reminds them that being together is fun, and your photos will radiate that same energy.
6. Slow Dance Without Music
You don’t need a soundtrack to create a moment of pure romance. This prompt is about encouraging your clients to connect through touch and gentle movement, creating elegant and timeless images. It’s a quiet, intimate activity that feels incredibly natural.
Find a spot with beautiful light and ask them to stand close together. "I want you to imagine your favorite slow song is playing right now. Hold each other and just sway back and forth. No need to do anything fancy, just be here together in this dance."
Encourage them to close their eyes if they feel comfortable. Suggest they rest their heads on a shoulder or chest. This is your chance to move around them and capture different angles. Focus on the details: the way their hands are clasped, the gentle sway of their bodies, the peaceful expressions on their faces. It’s a beautifully serene moment amidst the energy of a photoshoot.
7. The "Who's More Likely To..." Game
This is a fantastic prompt for getting genuine, interactive laughter, especially with couples or families who have a great sense of humor. It’s a game that reveals their personalities and the playful dynamics of their relationship.
Have them stand back-to-back or side-by-side. Explain the rules: "I'm going to ask a 'who's more likely to...' question. On the count of three, you're both going to point to the person who you think fits the description. No cheating!"
Use a list of fun questions like: "Who is more likely to start an argument?", "Who is the better cook?", "Who is messier?", "Who is more likely to survive a zombie apocalypse?" The moment they point, they’ll almost always look at each other and burst out laughing at their answers. Be ready to capture that exact moment of shared humor.
8. Walk and Bump
This is a toned-down, more casual version of the "Wobbly Walk." It’s a perfect prompt for creating natural movement without it feeling over-the-top or silly. It helps couples relax into a natural rhythm and interact in a way that feels authentic and unforced.
It's a very low-pressure directive. "I just want you to walk from here to that tree over there. The only rule is you have to stay close enough that your shoulders or hips gently bump into each other as you walk. You can talk, you can be silent, just enjoy the walk together."
This simple physical connection—the gentle, repeated bumping—keeps them engaged with each other rather than with the camera. It breaks up stiff, side-by-side walking and creates a more believable, connected look. Shoot from different angles as they walk—from the front, the back, and the side—to capture the full story of their shared journey.
9. Nuzzle In (Eskimo Kisses)
This prompt is all about soft, quiet intimacy. It focuses on sensory details and creates a feeling of warmth, safety, and affection. It's a wonderful prompt to use when you want to slow things down and capture something deeply tender.
Guide them into a close embrace. Then, give a gentle instruction: "I want you to get really close and gently nuzzle into their cheek or neck. Close your eyes and just feel the warmth. You can give a few soft 'eskimo kisses' (rubbing noses) if you'd like."
This is a micro-moment, so get in close. Use a wider aperture to blur the background and draw all the attention to their faces. Focus on the details—the way their noses touch, a wisp of hair against skin, the relaxed and content expression that comes from such a gentle, comforting action. It's subtle, beautiful, and incredibly powerful.
10. Look at Your Favorite Feature
Admiration is a beautiful thing to witness. This prompt invites your clients to appreciate each other in a specific, focused way, which often leads to incredibly sweet and loving expressions. As a photographer, this is a prompt I, Goh Ling Yong, find consistently delivers heartfelt and authentic images.
Ask them to stand facing each other, close but not quite touching. Then, set up the moment: "Okay [Person 1], I want you to take a moment and just look at [Person 2]. Find your absolute favorite physical feature on them. It could be their eyes, their smile, the freckles on their nose. You don't have to say it out loud, just let your eyes rest there and appreciate it."
The look that appears on their face is one of pure, unadulterated adoration. The person being looked at will often respond with a soft, bashful, or radiant smile. Capture both expressions. It’s a quiet conversation happening without a single word, and it’s one of the most beautiful things you can document.
From Posing to Prompting: Your New Approach
Moving away from "say cheese" is about more than just memorizing a list of new things to say. It's a fundamental shift in your approach to photography. You are no longer just arranging people into pleasing shapes; you are creating an experience and curating an environment where real connection can flourish. The best photos aren’t posed; they’re unearthed.
Don’t be afraid to try these out, and don't be discouraged if one doesn't land perfectly. The goal is to build a toolbox of ideas you can draw from. Pay attention to your clients, see what makes them light up, and lean into that. With practice, guiding clients into these beautiful, connected moments will become second nature. I know from my own journey with Goh Ling Yong Photography that this is the key to creating work that truly matters.
Now I'd love to hear from you. What is your go-to prompt for breaking the ice and capturing genuine connection? Share your favorites in the comments below
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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