50 Fun and Creative Poses for Best Friends of All Sizes: 2, 3, 4, and Group Shots
Best friends are those who will always want to have pictures taken together, as a memory that forever endures.
If you ever need to shoot professional pictures of besties, you might be wondering what pose to advise them to strike or how to take the perfect shot for them to fit in a frame filled with beauty and uniqueness, to seize a special bond and loving moment between two, three, four, five, or more special friends.
So, if you’re about to shoot best friends' pictures, look no further! Through this article, we’re going to share 50 unique, fun, and creative poses for best friends! Let’s get into it.
Best friend poses for 2
Let’s start with the basics - best friend poses for two. In some way, it sounds like the easiest, as there will not be too many people in the frame. However, the risk is to shoot boring or repetitive pictures, this is why we will share some pose ideas to make sure you get inspired and creative.
1. The friendship embrace
Instead of the common two-people portrait, consider shooting more action pictures of the besties doing something that truly captures their special bond. An idea is to suggest they embrace each other in a warm, felt hug while capturing their loving expressions.
2. The Roadtrippers
If your models are two adventurous friends who love to road trip together, consider taking a picture of them in the car, maybe even on top of the car to be extra original!
3. The creative ones
A creative idea includes one where you suggest one of the models takes a picture of the other friend - even better if it’s taken with a vintage camera or Polaroid to add up some style and personality! Have the photographed model strike a fun pose too.
Image from Pexels
4. The cozy chatty friends
A beautiful way to showcase a friendship bond is to capture the friends while chatting. If the besties are two girls you can consider having them lay in bed facing upwards while their hair falls off the bed - proceed with shooting focusing on the hair.
Image from Pexels
5. The self-love rituals besties
What whispers more best friend vibes than a self-love ritual? Especially if you’re shooting girls' besties consider capturing them from the top, while they lay facing the camera with a face mask and some cucumbers on their eyes.
6. The cool kids
If you’re shooting boys besties instead, you can consider capturing them more in their cool kids nature, for example, while sitting in a skatepark, or by a basketball field, while smiling and bonding in brotherhood.
7. The adventurers
If the friends are wanderers kinds, the ones who love to go out there and explore the world, consider shooting in front of a beautiful landscape, maybe the beach, the mountains, or the woods while they enjoy their bond, in nature.
8. Besties having fun
There’s no better way to capture a friendship bond than capturing them being fully themselves, in their loving, goofy, authentic, nature. An idea is to advise them to dance, jump, or be silly together, trying not to think too much about the camera shooting them.
Image from Pexels
9. The pillow fight
Another sweet way to capture two lifelong besties is by traveling in time, having them go back to their childhood and playfulness and tenderly capture it in an everlasting shot. An idea is to have them pillow fight on a bed as if time never passed.
Image from Pexels
10. The mirror
If you want to go all the way into creativity and originality, shooting something totally outside the box, then you can advise one of the models to pose facing the camera, while holding a mirror. Then the other friend poses behind you, in a way that gets reflected in the mirror. This picture can turn into a masterpiece.
Image from Pexels
Best friend poses for 3
Best friends don’t come only in pairs! Sometimes it’s three people who share a special bond and truly want to have it forever captured.
Let’s get some pose ideas for best friend poses for three.
11. Bffs towards the horizon
A sweet idea is to have the three friends sit in a beautiful location, or in front of a scenery backdrop while facing backward - as if they were looking towards the horizon. You could also suggest they wear the same clothes, or the friend sitting in the middle wears a different-colored shirt to have more contrast in the frame.
12. The spontaneous
A similar variation can be captured with the three friends facing the camera while sitting on the ground in nature. Frame the shot with some natural elements like grass or plants for an extra addition of beauty to the bonding moment.
13. Sister’s hug
For a more creative three besties shot consider having one of the three friends standing facing the camera, while the other two friends stand beside her, facing one another. Then advise the friends on the side to put one arm each on the middle friend's shoulder in an artistic, symmetric hug.
Image from Pexels
14. The squad
Another original idea includes a shot from the top of the three friends laying on the ground. Have them be eccentric with their outfits for a more personalized result - like wearing vintage sunglasses, or eating lollipops or bubble gums.
Image from Pexels
15. The musical characters
If what you aim for is a more personalized shot, consider communicating with your models and understand deeply what they wish to convey. For example, if they’re into rock you can advise they strike a rock band pose, with one holding onto a guitar, one sitting, and the other standing in front of an urban-looking background.
Image from Pexels
16. The bathtub besties
For a fun and creative besties photo outcome, consider shooting the three friends inside a bathtub, with their legs hanging out! It will end up being a cool and fun picture to look back at.
Image from Pexels
17. The cute selfie
For a cute outcome, you can consider using some cute props like fake glasses, or paper elements like mustaches or funny accessories that add up to the fun of the frame. Then proceed to capture a close-up of the three friends.
Image from Pexels
18. Cheers!
For a fancier outcome, you can advise the three friends to dress up in cute and elegant attire and hold onto a nice cocktail or drink. Then suggest they cheer and smile at each other, in a bonding moment.
19. The funny besties
A funny idea can be shot of one of the two besties holding onto the third as he or she sits in their arms! Have them strike a humorous face for extra fun!
Image from Pexels
20. The poetic friends
If you aim for a more poetic outcome, you can get your models to sit or stand in different perspectives and layers while you focus only on one, you can repeat the shot three times to make sure all the friends have one focused picture. Have them dress in the same color palette for harmony in the frame.
Image from Pexels
Best friend poses for 4
What if the best friends are not two, not three, but are four instead? Well, we have tips and ideas for them too. So let’s dive into best friends poses for four.
21. We’re a team!
If the friends group is more of the sporty type, you can capture them while sitting next to one another as a team. You can add props and elements such as a ball, to add more personality to the shot.
Image from Pexels
22. The friendship picnic
Picnics are a sweet bonding moment between friends and are a great way to showcase fun and style. You can consider setting a picnic scene of the four friends sipping on some wine, eating fruits, and sharing laughter for a great best-friend photo outcome.
23. The squad selfie
Another creative idea is to suggest your models take a selfie, while you proceed to shoot them from a professional lens.
Image from Pexels
24. The playful squad
Advising the four friends to engage in a fun activity, like playing billiards, is another great idea. Have them pose in a fancy way while showcasing playfulness and style.
Image from Pexels
25. The bond
Think “The sisterhood of the traveling pants” and make it happen in your shoot. Have the four friends walk hugging one another from the back for a stylish bonding picture.
Image from Istock
26. The mermaid besties
Especially for a girl group picture, you can suggest shooting the four friends at the beach while they sit facing the beach, and you capture them from the back while they synchronize the pose and throw the head and hair backward.
27. The high five
For a more in-action, bonding, shot have the four friends stretch their arms to the sky into a high-five. Focus your lens on the palms and make sure to get their excited expressions too!
Image from Pexels
28. The visionaries
Another sweet, yet deep, idea is to have the four friends lay on the ground with their heads touching one another, while you proceed to shoot them from the top. Have the picture personalized with the addition of props and elements that express personality and style.
Image from Pexels
29. The polaroid picture
If you aim for a more creative bestie photo outcome, try this out! Have a Polaroid picture of the four friends taken, then proceed with taking the same pose, with the Polaroid in front, focused. A great double-shot!
Image from Pexels
30. The Intimate
If you aim to capture more intimacy in the shot, you can advise your models to pose in the same color palette - best if black, white, or skin tone - while leaning onto one another, to transmit oneness, intimacy, and deep bond.
Image from Pexels
Best friend poses for 5
A group of five friends can be an option too, which can be more challenging at times, but we’ve got the best tips for this too!
31. The themed squad
With a group of five, you can get your creativity flowing! A fun, unique, and creative bff idea is to have them recreate a theme or scene, wear costumes, and act wildly for an unforgettable outcome.
Image from Pexels
32. Here’s to you!
Having the group of friends cheering with some wine is another sweet idea! You can consider shooting this photo from the top focusing on the cups.
Image from Pexels
33. Joining hands
A group of five is perfect to represent a team! Consider capturing them as they join hands like a symbol of unity and win!
Image from Pexels
34. Renaissance pose
For a more creative frame idea, have the models sit on a couch, in a very unique and poetic way. Two sitting, one standing, another sitting down, another sitting on the side… get creative and have the frame feel harmonious and poetic.
Image from Pexels
35. The magic circle
Another magical and creative way to capture a group of five friends is to suggest they get into a circle, either holding hands or freely while moving! This shot will showcase bond, movement, and depth.
Image from Pexels
36. The bond
Another way you can take best friend poses for five is by having the friends sitting facing backward, while the friend in the middle turns towards the camera or raises her/his hands as a way to create more symmetry and creativity in the frame.
Image from Istock
37. Friends who play together, stay together.
Playing together is such a sweet way to capture friendship and bond, especially with a larger group of friends. So for this pose idea have them play a game, splash each other, or run to showcase unity, bonding, and playful connection between BFFs.
Image from Pexels
38. Friends like family
Good friends feel like family! A profound and creative idea to capture a group of five close friends is to shoot them at a nice table setting while sharing a good meal, drinks, and lots of laughter. Proceed to shoot them from a slight distance and capture them in their authentic bonding moments.
Image from Pexels
39. The ethereal
For a more poetic, artistic, and ethereal result, advise your models to wear the same color clothing and pose in an aesthetic setting like a beach or a flower garden. Have them lean on one another to create harmony and intimacy in the shot.
40. The boy/girl band
For a more personalized result, you can take some portray-like pictures of the five friends in a boy or girl-band-looking position. Have them pose self-assuredly and look upwards for a profound and character-filled look.
Image from Pexels
Unique group photo poses for friends
There is the possibility that the best friend group is larger than two, three, four, or even five people! So if your models happen to be a larger group, let’s explore the possibilities for a creative and unique photoshoot.
41. The jumping silhouette
A way to capture a friendship bond with style and beauty is by shooting at sunset - even better if at the beach - while the large group of friends jumps in backlit, to capture only their wild silhouettes. Capture them from a distance to make sure you include all of them in the frame together with the stunning-looking location.
Image from Pexels
42. The vintage group pic
For a more personalized result, you can consider having your large group of models lay while wearing vintage outfits and accessories, while you proceed to shoot them from the top - further up according to the number of friends.
43. Happy bonfire
A sweet bonding moment can be recreated for a larger group of people around a bonfire. This setting will make sure everyone is included while having a good time together as friends.
Image from Pexels
44. The beach crew
Beaches are a great place to shoot large groups of friends as they naturally add to the picture’s beauty while having enough space for everyone to be included in the frame. A shot of the friend group walking on the beach will result in a simple yet beautiful shot.
45. Party besties
What if the friend group is more of a party animal crew? Then a picture of your models posing with a beer or wine glass would be ideal! Have them pose one beside the other while you capture them from the front.
Image from Pexels
46. All in one frame
A larger group of friends can include six, seven, or maybe eight people which are easier to include in a frame. But what if your larger group of models includes fifteen or more friends? Then, the perfect tip is to arrange them in different layers, the shorter ones in the front, and the taller ones in the back on stools or chairs, while you proceed to shoot them from the top to include all the people in the frame.
Image from Pexels
47. One from a lower angle
Similarly, for an extra large group, you can arrange them in different layers while you proceed to shoot them from the bottom up.
Image from Pexels
48. The Fancy
If your clients aim for a fancier, more unique, and classy photoshoot you can advise them to dress up in their most elegant attires and pose in your studio in front of a classy or abstract backdrop. Have them pose in different layers and include props that add to the refined scenery.
Image from Shutterstock
49. Diagonal love
A sweet idea is to have the group of friends lay close to each other or hold hands, while you proceed to shoot them from a diagonal and high perspective to make sure they all get in the frame and intimacy and profundity get expressed through the shot.
50. The sunglasses club
Another cute and creative idea includes a shot taken from the bottom, while the group of friends poses in a circle from the top and looks downwards toward your lenses. A bonus fun tip is to advise they all wear eccentric sunglasses to add to the picture’s character.
Best friend poses can be fun, creative, simple, or eccentric… there is one for all tastes and group sizes! The most important thing is to truly understand your clients’ wishes and desires.
We hope these words left you inspired and extra ready for your next best friend photoshoot gig!