Through each other’s lens: how to take better photos of your partner

Sarah-Louise and Christopher Phelps are a creative couple whose love of photography has taken them across continents and given them the opportunity to work with luxury brands, from Aman and Ritz‑Carlton to Bentley Motors and IWC Watches.

What began as candid weekend snapshots of each other has matured into the dynamic travel-photography partnership @sarahlouiseandchristopher, capturing people, places and moments that inspire us. Yet beyond the brand work and globetrotting, the simplest frame – your partner in a soft late afternoon light, laughing in a café or leant against a doorway on a quiet street – remains our favourite. Because for us, photographing each other isn’t simply about the image, it’s about connection, awareness and seeing one another in new ways. We hope these pointers will inspire you to experiment, have fun and enjoy the process.

Photographing your partner can bring up more than just the question of which angle looks good – there are awkward poses, awkward silences and poor lighting, all of which can block the creative flow. From our work abroad in luxury resorts to routines at home (@no.17house), we’ve seen how these hurdles keep good intentions from becoming great images. But once you begin to lean into the moment – the relaxed conversation, the shifting light, the genuine smile – then the reward is two-fold: you capture more natural, flattering photographs and you create a shared experience that strengthens your bond. With a few thoughtful changes – many of which we’ve refined while shooting for some of the world’s biggest brands – you’ll find your sessions flow more freely and the images feel more alive.

Help them feel at ease before you pick up the camera

The best photographs occur when your partner feels relaxed, and that starts before the shutter clicks. When we’re shooting travel content, we often start by chatting, sharing a joke or offering a small icebreaker (“what was the best thing about the day?”). At home or outdoors, play their favourite music, bring a cup of coffee over or share a memory. When your partner feels ordinary and comfortable rather than “on set”, their body language softens and their expressions become genuine. And it’s that authenticity you’ll want to capture.

Start with movement, not poses

Rigid posing can feel unnatural and freeze the moment. On location shoots, we often let our subject walk slowly, move a hand or lean into the architecture, rather than standing still and smiling. You can apply the same at home: ask your partner to move in a natural way, adjust their clothes, fix their hair or just glance out a window. Movement distracts from their awareness of “being photographed” and yields moments of realness – the laugh, the thoughtful pause. Shoot in Burst mode and pick the fleeting frames that feel unplanned and true.

Chase natural light 

Lighting changes everything. On our travel assignments, we always scout for windows, open shade or golden hour opportunities to bathe the subject in soft light. At home, indoors near a large window works beautifully, the kind of light you see in a hotel lobby at sunset. Outdoors, avoid harsh midday sun and find shaded areas or back lighting for a dreamy halo effect. One trick we often use is to place your partner with light coming from behind or to the side, raising the mood and giving dimensionality. Light creates mood, so learn to watch it.

Focus on the story, not just the face 

When we shoot for brands, the image isn’t just about the product or the person, it’s about the place, experience and context. Capture your partner with their surroundings – maybe they’re sipping a coffee in a street café you discovered while travelling or reading on the balcony at home. Include hands, props and items that tell something about who they are. Context enriches the portrait.

Capture candid moments between the poses

Some of the most telling frames are the ones you don’t plan. After a styled shoot for a brand campaign, we shot quietly while the subject thought we were done and ended up with their most intimate portrait. At home, keep your camera ready while your partner changes position, laughs after you give directions or simply looks away. These transitional moments reveal personality and depth. A slight blur, a shot taken off-centre, an unexpected angle – these all deliver more emotion than the perfect smile. Let your finger hover on the shutter and wait for the moment it happens.

Use composition tricks to draw the eye

Compositional tools help elevate even simple photos. We lean heavily on the rule of thirds, placing our subject slightly off-centre and using leading lines in architectural locations (hotel hallways, resort terraces) to guide attention. In outdoor settings, look for lines such as a railing, a row of trees or a path. Frame your partner through doorways or foliage to add depth and storytelling. These little changes turn snapshots into something more cinematic.

Build a shared vision together

As travel photographers for luxury clients, we plan shoots with mood boards, location scouting and backups. You can adapt that to your life together: talk about what kinds of images you both love – black and white, soft ambient light, sepia. Gather inspiration (Pinterest, Instagram, magazines) and discuss what you’d like the end product to be. When your partner is part of the creative process, they’ll feel involved and motivated rather than imposed upon. The result? A creative partnership – not just a photographer and subject.

Explore our full portfolio on Instagram @sarahlouiseandchristopher, where we share our travel and lifestyle, family moments, brand collaborations and behind-the-scenes glimpses.