From Good to Great: 5 Simple Posing Tips to Improve Your Family Photos

As a photographer, one of my favorite things is watching how small posing tweaks can take a photo from “pretty good” to absolutely stunning. It’s not about being stiff or overly posed — it’s about creating connection, natural energy, and flattering composition.

Today I’m sharing 5 super simple posing tips — focusing on one of the biggest game changers: hands and arms. Using these photos from a recent family session, you’ll see how these easy adjustments make all the difference to take your photos from good to great!

Want all of my best posing tips for your upcoming session? Get my Posing Tips For Mom’s Course for tips for the whole family!

1. Avoid the Dangling Arm

One of the most common posing mistakes I see is what I call the “dangling arm” — when arms just hang straight down at the sides. This can make people look stiff or unsure.

Instead: Give hands a job!

Rest a hand in a pocket (like the boys in these photos).
Lightly place a hand on a hip or thigh (notice how the mom and daughter do this naturally).
Have siblings put their arms around each other.

This small movement brings instant confidence and creates beautiful, flattering lines.

2. Layer the Group with Arms

Notice how in these photos, the family isn’t standing in a straight, flat line. Instead, arms are slightly angled, creating depth:

The dad’s arm wraps around mom’s waist, bringing closeness and connection.
The kids lean slightly inward with their hands in pockets or resting casually.

This layering gives dimension, making the photo feel warm and intimate rather than flat.

3. Anchor with Touch

Intentional touch always adds connection:

Resting a hand on a shoulder.
Wrapping an arm around a waist.
Lightly leaning heads together.

Look at how this family subtly connects through arms and hands. The mom leans into dad, the siblings stand close together, and hands rest comfortably on each other — it all reads as natural love and closeness.

4. Create Gentle Bends

Straight arms and locked elbows can feel rigid. A soft bend in the elbows creates relaxed, flattering angles. Look at:

The daughter’s soft bent arms with hands in pockets.
The boys casually placing hands in pockets with bent elbows.
The mom’s gentle arm placement on her husband.

Bends create softness and flow in the image.

5. Hands Tell the Story

Hands can say so much! Are they:

Relaxed or tense?
Gripping or gently resting?
Expressing affection or awkwardness?

I encourage my clients to let hands rest naturally. A light touch looks way better than a tight grip. When hands feel natural, the entire photo feels natural.

The Result: Natural, Connected, Timeless Photos

With just these small tweaks, you’ll elevate your posing game instantly. My goal is always to capture my client’s real connection while helping you feel confident and at ease in front of the camera. Let me help you at your next session!