Photos that crack a laugh are just as special as those that tug at heartstrings. It does, however, require more creativity to conceive these funny poses than traditional family portraits. Using props can certainly help – and is strongly encouraged. But attitude is really the best accessory for these shots. Keep an open mind and a handful of these funny picture ideas in your back pocket. Whether photographing a group or shooting selfies, you’ll always be ready for a good time.

Funny Poses for Pictures of One Person

Squished face

For most people, yelling “make a face” is their go-to for getting funny picture poses. But here’s a better idea: try squishing faces. The easiest way to pull this off is to press your face up against a pane of glass (a window, door, etc.). For a more dramatic effect, apply tape in varying directions across the nose, lips, and cheeks. Clear tape works best with the camera. Avoid super-strong, super-sticky tape or your next funny photo may be of someone without eyebrows. So be careful when removing the sticky stuff.

Windblown

Think of a dog with its head out the car window. Those flapping jowls are just as funny on a human as they are on a dog. So grab a leaf blower, fan, or hairdryer and get to work. The air should be blowing directly on your face from the front or side. Also, make sure the mouth muscles are relaxed. Cheeks and lips should be moving with the wind.

Water-flipping hair

Women do it all the time. They emerge from the water with their long, beautiful hair flipping a wave mid-air. A man doing the same is a lot less common. Any guy with long locks or a long beard can do this. They simply dunk themselves underwater, and then force their head back while standing up. They don’t need to stand up completely. Just be sure the shoulders come out of the water. Practice enough times, and you’ll catch the perfect wave.

Magnified facial features

Magnifying or changing facial features offers endless funny poses for pictures. Make one eyebrow raise, turn up a nose so the nostrils are flaring, or enlarge someone’s teeth and lips. The easiest way to do this is with a magnifying glass. But in the age of technology, a cell phone works just as well. Adjust your iPhone camera settings, and then take a photo of the facial feature you want to change. Fill the phone’s screen with the photo and hold the phone over that body part, while someone else snaps the funny photo.

Funny Poses for Group Pictures

Stepping on a friend

Using forced perspective photography, this funny picture idea is easy to pull off. Have one person stand in the foreground of the picture frame. Their leg hovering off the ground as if taking a big stomp. Everyone else stands several feet behind the “stepper.” Ask them to squat down or pose with their hands up. The shot should look like they’re trying to block the giant foot. Facial expressions and body positions are key to nailing this shot.

Back-to-school celebration

Earn an A+ for your back-to-school photos. Several funny poses include the whole family. First, gather the kids in their new school outfits, backpacks and all. While the kids look sad and mourn the loss of another summer, Mom and Dad are literally jumping with excitement. If that’s not enough, make it an all-out party with streamers, balloons, and popped Champagne.

Faces in the sand

Right before the sun sets on a brilliant beach day, gather a squad of friends in a circle. Now look down and take note of everyone’s shadow. Working within those outlines, draw faces in the sand. Make each face a little different – sad, happy, surprised. With all heads centered over the sand art, snap some funny group pictures. Avoid capturing any feet in the frame, or it’ll lose effect.

Funny Poses for Couples’ Pictures

Reverse Titanic

Among all the cute, funny relationship photos out there, the Reverse Titanic should be top of the to-do list. Everyone remembers the classic Titanic pose: Rose stands on the bow of the boat, her arms outstretched and Jack’s hands around her waist. It’s beautiful and romantic. To make it funny, simply switch positions. The taller person goes in front and stretches their arms. The shorter partner stands behind struggling to get their head in the shot.

The headless body

This is not a magic trick, but it sure does look like one. The pose involves one person sitting on the edge of a pool, counter, or tabletop with their head dropped down as low as possible. The second person crouches down in the pool or under the table, resting their chin on the surface. With a strategically angled camera, the person sitting appears to be detached from their head. It’s even funnier when the headless body holds the head by its hair.

Expecting a beer baby

If women get a pregnancy memory book, it’s only fair to give their partners a sympathy photoshoot. An actual “beer belly” is not required. Make one by stuffing pillows or a watermelon in their shirt. While that alone might get a laugh, the real fun comes from posing. The “expecting” partner should cup the faux belly with their hands. Or, have the mom-to-be stand so bellies are touching. The more realistic the pose, the funnier the photo.

No dumping allowed

How many sunset kisses is too many? Traditional engagement photos have become all too predictable. It’s time to spice up those social media feeds with a little boost from the street. Locate a “No Dumping Allowed” or No U-Turn sign. Then, have the newly engaged couple strike funny poses in front of the sign. Sure, they could share a kiss. But the focus should be on the sign’s message: there’s no turning back now!

The ole ball and chain

Turn this infamous expression into a funny photo idea. It’s okay to think outside the literal ball and chain. Any pose that illustrates one person dragging down the other qualifies. For instance, picture a woman on the beach, dragging her husband through the sand. His fingers making streaks as he gets pulled. Have the word “HELP” written in the sand in front of him. Dress them in wedding attire, and the photo-op is even funnier.

Collect Your Funny Picture Ideas

Showcase all your comedic pictures in a beautiful photo book. Motif offers soft and hardcover books in various sizes. Plus, every project is printed on premium paper that offers true color tones and zero image bleed. Those funny pictures will jump off the pages. Leave a copy on your coffee table, and everyone will be laughing out loud.

The post 12 Funny Poses for Pictures That Make You LOL appeared first on The Motif Blog.

It’s too hot. There are too many mosquitos. There are legitimate reasons to wait a few months and schedule outdoor fall family pictures instead of summer ones. It is significantly cooler in October. However, July and August tend to be more carefree. The kids are out of school and there is still daylight when the work-day ends. You have the time. We don’t want to miss out on all that summer offers. Between beach vacations and backyard BBQs, there are plenty of chances to capture the perfect summer family picture.

7 Summer Family Picture Ideas

As parents, you might be excited to dress up and document this time in your life. Getting the kids excited about that is a different story. They’d rather spend time with their friends…or, be doing anything else. Not to worry, though. The following summer family picture poses are so clever and easy that even the teenagers will be happy to join in.

1.   Set up the tent.

Venture out to the backyard and pretend like you’re camping. Creating that summer scene is key. A tent, sleeping bags, lanterns, and the mixings for s’mores should do the trick. The photo composition can be portrait-style, where everyone’s facing the camera and smiling. Another option is to make it more candid. Act as though you’re living in the scene. Start roasting s’mores. Pretend to laugh at a dad joke. Enjoy yourselves!

2.   Save the world together.

It may not be Halloween, but take the opportunity to dress up anyway. Full costumes aren’t necessary. For this summer family picture idea, have everyone wear their favorite superhero shirt. Place hands on hips and stand with a proud chest. Mask and cape are optional, though the added touch is fun for little ones. For the background, an empty field or abandoned brick building are right on theme.

3.   Cast a big shadow.

Is someone camera shy? Summer is the perfect time to shoot shadows. Line up in a row, holding hands. With enough natural light at your back, it’s easy to create a crisp outline of your family. Make your shadow the focus of the photo. Or, stand with your backs to the camera and sun in your face to create silhouettes and shadows.

4.   Strut like rock stars.

Urban dwellers may lack green space. But that shouldn’t stop you from taking a summer family picture outside. Find a calm crosswalk and recreate The Beatle’s “Abbey Road” album cover. To make it more authentic, dress everyone in a different suit color. More than a family of four? That’s okay, too. Walk the crosswalk in order of height with the shortest family member either in the first position or the last.

5.   Head to the beach.

Hanging on the beach is a quintessential summer activity. Use this natural scenery to honor the season. Good news: splashing in the water isn’t required to make it a fun summer family picture. There’s plenty you can do in the sand or along the shoreline. Make footprints, build a sand castle, picnic on a blanket, or grab each other for a group hug. If you’re capturing this moment on vacation, include anyone traveling with you, and anyone you’ve met there and are spending time with. The more, the merrier!!  

6.   Splash around.

Playing around with water is one of the coolest summer photo shoot ideas – literally. Your hair might be wet and makeup dripping, but the smiles will be real. The body of water you choose doesn’t matter. At the pool, take a shot of you all jumping in together. At the beach? Pose on some surfboards or come running out of the water. For the greatest effect, make it an action shot. Moving water screams summer.

7.   Celebrate a summer holiday.

For a fool-proof picture, center it around a holiday. A Father’s Day theme might include the kids climbing on Dad like a jungle gym. Another funny idea? Have everyone dress in Dad’s favorite outfit. July Fourth is a no-brainer. Let red, white, and blue be your guide. Just add stars and stripes and maybe some well-timed fireworks. If you wait until the very end of summer, you can catch Grandparent’s Day – usually the first Sunday after Labor Day. To embody this holiday theme, simply include the grandparents in your summer family picture. They will be tickled pink!

Photography Tips for Your Summer Family Picture

Plan your outfits in advance.

Coordinating outfits makes for a more cohesive photo. The trick to getting it right is to start with the most difficult person to dress. Build your wardrobe around them. Or, make it easy-breezy with a neutral color palette. Everyone may have khakis and a white shirt in the closet. Note to women: dresses tend to be the most flattering from all angles. Plus, you can play around with a skirt, creating movement and texture in your summer family picture.

Be ready to beg and bribe.

It’s a fact: little ones cannot sit still. Be prepared with treats and trickery. Make faces, make funny noises – whatever you have to do to get those genuine smiles. If food works better, promise them an ice cream cone if they get through the poses. Or, reward them during the shoot and make it part of the memory. Sometimes, the blooper reel has the best photo.  

Shoot at the right time.

Natural light is ideal for almost any type of photography. But the most dramatic shots happen during the golden hour. The moment right before sunset creates a warm yellow tone. As a result, you get a more endearing summer family picture.

Turn it into a photo project.

Need another reason to organize summer family pictures? Here’s one way that goes a long way. Memories captured during the warmest season of the year can easily be used to create photo gifts for the whole family come holiday time. Using the Motif Photo app, make a calendar with your top 12 favorite shots. Pick one or two for a customized “thinking of you” card for the grandparents. Or put together a multi-page photo book for your own collection. Motif suggests optimal layouts for your photo book design. That leaves you with more time to enjoy summer with the family.

The post Enjoy Being Outside With These 7 Summer Family Picture Ideas appeared first on The Motif Blog.