Expert Tips for Photography Poses and Better Posture in Wedding Photos
Want to improve your posture for better wedding photos? We are delighted to talk with Christiane Figura, who is here to share with us her expert tips for photography poses and better posture for your wedding photos. Christiane Figura is a natural movement expert, certified trainer, published author, and the founder of NIM® (Natural Intelligent Movement).
What tips do you have for better posture in wedding photos?
A naturally upright posture is essential for both bride and groom to look their best in wedding photos. One helpful visualization is to imagine the highest point of the head, the crown, being gently pulled upward toward the sky or ceiling. With a long, steady exhale, the lower abdomen naturally draws inward toward the spine and becomes firm, while the pelvis tilts into an upright position, counteracting an exaggerated arch in the lower back. At the same time, the shoulders relax downward, creating a graceful neckline and a beautiful décolleté, especially for the bride. A deep exhale also softens the facial expression, allowing it to appear calm and relaxed. If the base of the head is slightly pulled back, it prevents a double chin and creates a confident, composed presence.
It’s often unclear what to do with the arms. The bride will likely be holding a bouquet, while the groom might place one arm loosely around her waist, or the couple can simply hold hands. For photos, it tends to look more elegant when the bride shifts her weight slightly onto one leg and gently presses that foot into the ground during a long exhale. This activates the deep stabilizing muscles and supports an upright posture. It also improves balance and makes it easier to hold the position, especially if the shoot takes a little longer. Of course, this one-legged stance wouldn’t be recommended for everyday posture in personal training, where the goal is a balanced myofascial structure between the left and right sides of the body. But for something as special as wedding photography, it’s perfectly fine to set different priorities. The bride can also switch between the right and left leg as needed.
How can you become camera-ready in a grounded, healthy way?
The most beautiful smiles begin in the eyes, they light up with love and joy, while the lips simply follow. If the eyes are smiling too, the bride and groom appear natural, warm, and genuinely joyful. Before the photo, I always make funny faces to loosen the facial muscles and ask the photographer to count down from three. That way, the smile doesn’t freeze and comes across as spontaneous.
Grounding begins through the feet by exhaling and pressing them firmly into the floor, ideally through two points: the outer edge of the heel and the ball of the big toe. With consistent training, the body responds almost instantly and aligns itself from foot to head in ideal posture. At that moment, the deep core muscles in the torso and the muscles close to the skeleton in the limbs activate automatically. This allows upright positions to be held for a long time with minimal effort and maximum efficiency. If any wedding guests decide to start a plank challenge later in the evening, this technique works perfectly. Exhale and press the forearms and the balls of the toes into the ground. The body then aligns from head to toe in accordance with its natural anatomical blueprint. This is the most energy-efficient position and can be held for a long time. It also activates the entire deep muscle system and allows the body to hover above the floor in proper plank position. It is also a great full-body exercise in the weeks before the wedding to strengthen the back, shape the arms, tone the core, and improve posture.
Night Rituals and Conscious Breathing
Before what is hopefully “the most beautiful day of your life,” nerves are often running high and sleep can seem impossible. But starting such a big event feeling exhausted and worn out is far from ideal. The best thing to do is practice a few breathing exercises before bed or whenever the excitement becomes overwhelming. Take a short inhale through the nose, then exhale slowly and gently through the mouth until the lungs are completely emptied. If you can count slowly to 15 or even 20 while exhaling, and count to 4 while inhaling, you’ll enter a light breathing meditation that activates the parasympathetic nervous system. This system supports recovery, calms the body, and promotes deep relaxation. It’s one of the best ways to drift into restful sleep. Yawning is a visible sign that the parasympathetic system has taken over. You can even trigger this response manually by gently pressing with your thumb and index finger just beside the nostrils into the upper jaw while opening your mouth. This usually triggers a natural, deep yawn and relaxation will follow.
To get the full benefits of the NIM® Natural Intelligent Movement method and to prepare yourself and your partner for your big wedding day, follow Christiane on YouTube, Instagram, sign-up for the NIM® Academy or book private coaching with Christiane.
Image Credit:
1) Cover Image + Image 6: Henri Nehlsen
2) All other images: Blue Bee Media – Ramyar Rouhi
Management: Von Wesen
Christiane Figura, Founder of NIM® Natural Intelligent Movement
Christiane Figura is a natural movement expert, published author, and the founder of NIM® (Natural Intelligent Movement). She established the NIM® Academy, where she trains instructors to become certified NIM® trainers. With over 20 years of experience in functional mobility, pain-free movement, and longevity, her methods have enabled countless individuals to reclaim physical freedom, build resilience, and move with confidence at every age.
Her journey began with a lifelong passion for movement. She trained in classical dance from an early age and later excelled in athletics and horseback riding. However, multiple riding accidents led to severe spinal injuries that worsened after childbirth, leaving her in chronic pain and struggling with even the most basic movements. Confronted with the reality of permanent limitations, she chose a different path, one driven by deep recovery and innovation in movement.
Natural Mechanics
Often called the “Expert in the Biomechanics of Getting Down and Up from the Floor,” Christiane spent decades researching and practicing ways to restore her own mobility. She realized that as children, we instinctively squat, jump, and transition easily from the floor—movements that keep our joints strong and flexible. However, as we enter structured environments like schools and later office jobs, we gradually replace floor-based movement with sitting in chairs for prolonged periods. This shift limits our natural range of motion, disrupts our biomechanics, and weakens our joints, resulting in chronic pain and mobility issues over time.
NIM® Pilates
Determined to counteract this decline, Christiane developed a new approach called NIM® Pilates. This method combines Pilates, Spiraldynamics®, and fascia science. Unlike traditional Pilates, which often avoids squats and jumps, NIM® Pilates reintroduces these movements and emphasizes floor transitions. By doing so, it strengthens joints, restores elasticity, and reconnects the body with its natural range of motion. Every exercise centers the joints, increases precision, and helps people move as nature intended.
The NIM SpineCoach®
Inspired by her successes in training and rehabilitation, Christiane sought a way to make her insights accessible to people everywhere. In collaboration with NOHRD, she created the NIM SpineCoach®—a training tool designed to improve spinal health and ease back pain. Built on her research into biomechanics, this science-backed solution translates her methods into an easy-to-use system for long-term mobility and strength.
Awards and Recognition
In 2019, she was recognized as one of only three personal trainers in Germany nominated for the Neos Award for innovation in movement training. Christiane also delivers talks on “Longevity,” providing audiences with practical strategies to reclaim physical independence and vitality.
At 58, she is stronger than ever. As a dedicated ‘Health Activist,’ she empowers people to take control of their well-being, move pain-free, and live with strength, elasticity, and energy.
