What you need
- A camera or phone you can place on a support.
- A tripod. A sturdy one is better than balancing on a rock or a wall, which limits your angles and risks a fall. Check that it can hold your camera and, for a phone, that you have a phone mount.
- A remote trigger. A Bluetooth remote, your camera’s phone app, or the built-in timer.
- Optional: a light stand or other object to use as a focus stand-in.
Set up the tripod and frame for two
- Choose your spot and check what is behind you. Tidy backgrounds read better than busy ones.
- Set the camera at about chest to eye level for a natural look. A very low camera can look unflattering from below, and a very high one can shrink the pair.
- Frame wider than you think you need. You can crop later, and leaving space protects heads and feet if you shift.
- If one partner is much taller, frame so both heads sit comfortably. Standing on slightly different ground, or having the taller one lean or sit, helps.
Triggering the shutter
- Self-timer with burst. A 10-second timer combined with burst mode gives you several frames to move through.
- Bluetooth remote. Hold it out of sight in a hand behind your partner or in a pocket.
- Camera app. Apps from camera makers offer live preview and a shutter button.
- Interval shooting. Taking a frame every few seconds lets you move through poses without resetting.
Focus for two people
Place a stand-in or have one partner stand where you will be, focus, then lock focus (manual focus on a camera, or a tap-and-hold focus lock on a phone). Because there are two faces, a smaller aperture such as f/5.6 to f/8 helps keep both sharp, particularly if you stand at slightly different distances. Try to keep faces roughly the same distance from the lens.
Light
Soft light flatters most faces. Pose near a large window, or outdoors in the softer light near sunrise or before sunset (see golden hour portraits). Turn off warm indoor bulbs if they clash with window light. Avoid having one person face into harsh sun while the other is in shade. See our wider guide to self-portrait photography for more on light.
Settings to start with
- Aperture around f/5.6 to f/8 on a camera.
- A shutter speed fast enough for movement, especially if you are laughing or walking.
- ISO as low as the light allows.
- On a phone, use the standard rear camera and tap to set exposure on faces.
Pose ideas that look natural
- Walk toward the camera holding hands.
- Lean foreheads together, eyes closed or looking at each other.
- One partner hugs the other from behind.
- Look at each other and laugh, or whisper something funny.
- Sit close with the camera slightly lower than eye level.
- Walk away, looking back over your shoulders.
A physical point of contact, such as hands, foreheads or a lean, tends to make a frame feel connected. For more ideas on posing and connection, see how to take good couple photos and tips for engagement photos. Real reactions often beat stiff smiles, so give each other something to react to.
Plan a mix of shots
Aim for variety: a wide frame showing the setting, a medium frame from the waist up, and close-ups of details such as hands or shoes. A mix tells more of a story than one repeated pose.
Common problems
- Both of you are slightly soft. Use a smaller aperture, check the stand-in position, or raise the shutter speed.
- Heads cut off. Frame wider.
- Stiff expressions. Shoot more frames, and let the timer run during conversation or movement.
- Uneven light. Reposition so you both face the same light direction.
- Phone falls over. Use a secure mount and weigh down the tripod in wind.
Review and keep going
Check a few frames on the screen early, zoom in on faces, and adjust. Good couple photos usually come from many attempts. For more advice on working alone, see our self-portrait photography tips.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best way to take pictures of myself?
Use a stable tripod, a remote or timer, locked focus and soft light, then shoot many frames while varying your pose.
How do I take cute couple pics?
Keep physical contact, move between frames, and choose relaxed light and settings. Mix wide, medium and close shots.