Ah, the perfect portrait—where everyone is looking at the camera, smiling, and perfectly posed. Is that a photographer’s goal during each session? Nope.

This quote by Bambi Cantrell says it best:

“Expression beats perfection any day of the week, and if you have the most perfect photograph in the universe it’s a zero if you have no expression from your subjects.”

Portrait poses are more or less the same. The difference is in the expressions that make you smile, laugh, or even get teary-eyed when viewing the images.

Here are a few choice images from past sessions that fit into the following categories–Unplanned but Golden, Letting Loose, When Kids have had Enough, Kids Will be Kids, and Family Photo Bombers.

Unplanned but Golden

Golden shots are spontaneous expressions caught just at the right moment like the cousins’ July 4th reunion and baby in the family portrait below.

Stealth photographer captures sisters sharing a moment of laughter.

Letting Loose

Whether spontaneous or by request, poses range from silly to sappy when you let loose and your personalities shine through. These are some of our favorite “silly shots.”

When Kids Have Had Enough

When it comes to portrait sessions, kids let you know when they have had enough—but that’s when the fun begins. You get memorable expressions like these…..

Pose, step back, and catch them quick? Nope, he’s done.

Kids Will be Kids

They sit anywhere convenient (even at the bride’s feet), try to sneak away and sometimes wander around after the pose is set. Priceless expressions of both personalities and ages.

Family Photo Bombers

Most photo bombers are asked to move out of the shot or get edited out in post production, but not when it’s siblings. That’s when it becomes memorable.

Expressions say so much more about the people in the portrait than perfect poses. So, relax during your session, smile, be a little silly but watch out…..your photographer may be snapping shots when you aren’t looking!