The Beauty of Yoga Photography

Yoga is a practice of presence—each breath, each movement, each moment. Photography, at its core, is also about presence, allowing us to freeze fleeting moments and turn them into lasting memories. This is why yoga photography holds a special place in my heart; it captures the harmony between movement and stillness, strength and surrender, energy and calm. Documenting this balance through my lens is an art form I adore.

Honouring the Practice Before the Shoot

Before I begin a yoga photoshoot, I like to honour the practice itself. I invite my clients to take a moment to ground into their body, focus on their breath, and move naturally into their own flow. This allows for a more authentic connection, which translates beautifully into the images. Rather than relying on overly posed shots, I prefer to capture the organic movement and stillness that naturally emerge—though, at times, a little gentle direction can enhance the final result.

Before our session, I let my clients know that if I notice a pose that photographs particularly well, I may ask them to hold it for just a moment longer. This small adjustment helps us capture the pose at its most elegant and refined.

As a yoga teacher myself, I bring elements of mindfulness into my yoga photography sessions. I often begin with a short guided meditation to help my clients ground themselves, allowing them to feel more at ease in front of the camera. Throughout the session, I provide subtle cues to refine their form where needed. I also remind them to maintain steady breathing and relaxed facial expressions, which beautifully convey a sense of calm and presence in their photos.

To reflect the sacredness of yoga I like my images to be crisp, clean and have a clear alignment. I always aim to balance a gallery with both wide angle shots that feel spacious along with some closer-up detailed shots too. A technique I love using to capture the fluid energy of yoga is motion blur with a slow shutter speed, although I’ll only do this for a couple of images, depending on my client.

Which Poses Work Best for Yoga Photography?

Some visually compelling yoga poses for photography include:

1. Lotus Pose – Serene and meditative

2. Siddhasana – Grounded and introspective

3. Child’s Pose – Soft and reflective

4. Flowing Warriors – Dynamic movement shots

5. Sun Salutations – Beautiful for storytelling sequences

6. Arm Balances – Showcases strength and grace

Indoor or Outdoor location?

Choosing the right location for your shoot is important. Thankfully, we have many beautiful both indoor and outdoor locations for yoga photography in Dublin and Wicklow, in fact all over Ireland! If you choose an indoor location I would recommend a space or studio that is clean and has quite minimalist decor so as not to distract the eye of the viewer and ideally somewhere that has a lot of natural light. Studio lighting can be used also which can be fun to play around with some more dramatic shadows for a sense of depth. If you choose an outdoor location I am personally a big fan of the beach and would generally do the shoot first thing in the morning just after sunrise or last thing in the evening just before the sun sets. This will give you that gorgeous soft, warm, ethereal light. If it is a cloudy day, I would shoot at any time as you don’t need to worry about harsh shadows from direct sunlight overhead.

Using a Mood Board for Inspiration

One of my go-to tools when planning a yoga photoshoot is a mood board. Even the most experienced yogis can feel momentarily stuck when put on the spot. Having a visual reference helps to spark inspiration and keep the session flowing.

How to Create a Yoga Photoshoot Mood Board:

• Pinterest & Instagram – Save images that inspire you.

• Personal Style Reference – Choose a color palette, lighting style, and mood that reflects your vision.

• Pose Variety – Include both dynamic movement shots (warriors, arm balances) and stillness-focused poses (meditation, breathwork), as discussed above.

Wardrobe tips:

Wear comfortable, form-fitting clothing that moves with your body
Neutral colours are best - white, beige and neutral tones. Avoid black, navy or any of the primary colours. Avoid also any logos or writing
Avoid busy patterns that may be distracting

In summary, photography captures the essence of yoga by freezing moments that reflect both the dynamic flow and tranquil stillness inherent in the practice. This visual storytelling showcases both the physical postures and the deeper, meditative aspects of yoga, offering a holistic portrayal of its transformative power.

Would you like to work together?

I hope you enjoyed these yoga photography tips and insights. If you would love to have your own yoga practice beautifully captured, I’d love to create something special with you. Feel free to reach out to me here.

From Movement to Stillness: How Photography Captures the Essence of Yoga