Posing vs Prompting: Why Photographers Need Prompts with Cheryl Kitchener

Photographers will learn the actual difference between posing and prompting, and how to use simple prompt flows to turn an awkward, stiff shoot into one full of genuine emotion and connection. Cheryl Kitchener, founder of the Unscripted app, shares how a single awkward couples session on the beach led her to build a system of pose and prompt flows that any photographer can learn with practice.

Cheryl explains that posing is the physical setup, making sure clients are well lit and well composed, while prompting is what you say to pull out real emotion. She walks through how to use the first fifteen minutes of a shoot as an icebreaker, how to build prompts on top of each other so clients never feel lost, and why saving time at the end of a session to experiment keeps the work creative and prevents burnout.

About Cheryl Kitchener

Cheryl Kitchener is the founder of the Unscripted posing and prompting app for photographers. She is also a mom, wife, and perpetual renovator who started building prompt systems after an awkward couples shoot on the beach left her needing to buy herself time mid-session.

Key takeaways

1. Know the difference between posing and prompting

Posing is physically configuring clients so they are well lit and well composed. Prompting is what you say to bring out real emotion, and Cheryl calls it the part where all the magic comes from because a photo can look stiff and boring without it.

2. Treat the first 15 minutes as an icebreaker

Cheryl suggests thinking of the opening minutes of any shoot as time to get clients comfortable with a camera pointed at them, not time to capture keepers. This takes the pressure off new photographers who worry they need a great shot right away.

3. Send a pre-shoot questionnaire and ask about introversion

Asking whether clients are introverted or extroverted lets you pre-plan prompts, but be ready to pivot since one partner or child often answers differently than the other person who shows up on the day.

4. Build prompts into a flow instead of one-off instructions

Start with something easy, like walking hand in hand into the distance, then build on it with a follow-up prompt such as acting like teenagers flirting while parents watch. This stops clients from pausing and asking what to do next.

5. Tell clients when you need a moment

Cheryl says letting clients know you are changing settings or reviewing photos gives them permission to relax too, and often they start being cute with each other or wander off naturally while you take that break.

6. Save 10 to 15 minutes at the end of each shoot to experiment

Once the planned shots are nailed, Cheryl reserves time to try something unique with each client, whether a new pose, low light situation, or unusual composition, so she keeps growing creatively instead of repeating the same shoot every time.

7. Use storytelling prompts to create real moments, not just capture them

Asking a dad to tell the story of when his kids were born, or asking a couple to tell each other about the first time they met, can surface moments families have never shared before, giving clients both beautiful photos and beautiful memories.

Favourite moments

"Posing to me is, like, the act of actually configuring your clients to ensure that they're well lit, that the composition is right"

Cheryl Kitchener

"But prompting is where all the magic comes. A photo can be so stiff and boring if it's lacking emotion."

Cheryl Kitchener

"I think of the first 15 minutes of any photo shoot, like, the icebreaker part of the shoot."

Cheryl Kitchener

"Just plan for the unexpected, for sure."

Cheryl Kitchener

"Sure, Unscripted is a posing app, but I consider it more like an anti-posing app."

Cheryl Kitchener

"I just think that it's important to stay connected to your why."

Cheryl Kitchener

Listen to the full episode

Watch the episode above, or listen to Posing vs Prompting: Why Photographers Need Prompts with Cheryl Kitchener on Apple Podcasts, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

Keep reading:

Ready to put this into practice? Unscripted is the all-in-one app trusted by 1 million+ photographers, with 50,000+ poses and prompts, client galleries, contracts, invoicing and a photography CRM. Try it free.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between posing and prompting in photography?

Posing is physically arranging clients so they are well lit and composed properly, like making sure collars are not popping out or hands are placed well. Prompting is what you say to the clients to bring out real emotion, and Cheryl describes it as the part where the magic actually happens.

How do you make awkward or shy clients comfortable during a photoshoot?

Cheryl treats the first 15 minutes of any shoot as an icebreaker where the photos might not even be keepers. The goal is simply to get clients used to a camera pointed at them and comfortable with each other before moving into more intimate prompts.

What should you ask clients in a pre-shoot questionnaire?

One of Cheryl's favorite questions is whether clients are introverted or extroverted, since this helps her pre-plan prompts. She notes you still need to be ready to pivot because the person who filled out the questionnaire might be extroverted while their partner or child is much more introverted.

How do you build a flow of photography prompts during a session?

Cheryl recommends starting with something simple, like asking a couple to walk hand in hand into the distance, then building on it with a follow-up prompt once they return. This keeps the energy moving and avoids moments where clients stop and ask what to do next.

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