If you're doing a couples shoot or a family session, interact with each other instead of staring straight at the lens - unless of course, you're directed to. Spontaneous hugs, inside jokes, and playfulness make for the best natural shots. Don't be afraid to add your own flair to the prompts you're given. 

A big reason that people look stiff in photos is because they're trying too hard to pose perfectly. Embrace the imperfections - that's what makes us human. Embrace movement. You'll be guided with prompts that encourage natural motion, but spice it up! Add an extra spin, toss your hair, swing your arms, etc. It'll keep you loose, relaxed, and often it has the bonus of inducing giggles from the kiddo that didn't want to smile. And don't forget to embrace the unexpected - the spin that turns into a stumble can produce the cutest moments of the entire shoot. Unscripted moments are usually the most genuine and beautiful. 

Laugher brings photos to life! Even starting out with fake laughter - usually it turns into the real thing! Whisper a bad joke to your partner, poke them in the ribs, toss the kiddo into the air, be silly and have fun. The more laughter, the better! Plus, the smiles that laughter creates are more genuine than the forced ones you're used to for the annual family Christmas card. 

My favorite tips for couples (and families too!) is to tell them "if you're not sure what to do with your hands, keep them on your partner (or kids, you get the idea)." This creates a connection and simultaneously keeps you from looking awkward. Hold your child's hand, brush your partner's hair out of her face, put your hand on his chest, loop your arm thru theirs. Other things you can do, and may be guided to do, are tossing your hair, putting a hand in your pocket, touching your partner's face, tickling a child, etc. Keeping your hands engaged makes your photos feel more natural and relaxed. 

If you're not comfortable in your clothing, it does tend to show! Find something you can move naturally in, and wear something you feel amazing in. Uncomfortable heels might look great in photos, but if you're miserable, you'll probably notice in the pictures. If you want some inspo on how to dress, I have a blog post on that too! 

Learn to embrace the awkward. When I first started taking martial arts around 10 years ago, I frequently would find myself doing kicks or blocks that felt suuuuuper awkward. Over time, it started to feel more natural. The longer I did it, and the more I just embraced the strangeness of it, the more I enjoyed it and the awkward melted away. I've been going thru the same thing with teaching myself to pose. I'm good at posing others, but posing myself seems just strange to me. So trust your photographer. They may have a really creative idea that seems super weird, but try to relax and go with the flow. At the end of the day, some of the best photos come from the most natural and unexpected moments in the shoot. Whether your photographer shoots mostly candids, or a mix of candid prompts and posed photos, it's normal and natural to feel weird. Most of us don't go get our pictures taken every day. Focus on why you're there in the first place, and just enjoy the moment.