Portrait posing

digital-photography-school.com

If you ever run out of ideas, get

stuck in creativity or simply need
some guidance when shooting female
subjects, you may use following
posing samples as a posing cheat
sheet. Many pro photographers use
such a technique when preparing for
and during the photo shoot.
The poses in this article are
selected as initial reference. I would
advise to look at the poses together
with your subject, especially if shes
inexperienced. During a photo shoot
dont hesitate to discuss with the
subject which pose is or isnt working
in any particular situation. Its usually
very productive and you both will feel
more confident in what you are doing.
OK, lets start, one by one.

1. Very simple portrait pose to start

with. Have the model look over her
shoulder. Note how unusual and
interesting a portrait might look, if
shot simply from a different angle.

2. In portrait photography, hands are

usually not visible or at least not
dominant. However, you might get
creative by asking the model to play
around with her hands trying different
positions around her head or face.
Keep in mind, though: No flat palms,
and the hands should only show their
sides!

3. You might be familiar with

composition rules like the rule of
thirds. In a similar way, pleasing
effects can be created by using
diagonals. Also remember that you
dont need to always hold your
camera on a perfectly even level.
Dont be afraid to tilt it, you might
achieve some interesting and unusual
perspectives.

4. A really nice and lovely pose with a

model sitting. The knees have to
touch each other. Shoot slightly from
above.

5. Another open and inviting pose

with the model lying on the ground.
Get down and take your shot nearly
from the ground level.

6. Just a variation for a pose with the

model lying on the ground. Both
hands might as well be resting on the
ground. Works very well outdoors, on
the grass or in a wild flower meadow,
for example.

7. A basic easy pose, yet looks

absolutely stunning. Get down and
shoot nearly from a ground level.
Then try to move gradually around
the model while making shots. Also
ask your model to change head and
hand positions.

8. Another easy yet gorgeous pose

for all body types. Try different hand
and leg positioning. And remember to
focus on the models eyes!

9. A really lovely pose. Works well in

different surface settings: The model,
for example, might lie on a bed, on
the ground, in the grass, or on a
sandy beach. Shoot from a very low
angle and focus on the eyes.

10. Gorgeous and easy pose for a

model sitting on the ground.

11. Another simple and friendly pose

for a model sitting on the ground. Try
different directions and angles.

12. A wonderful way to demonstrate

the beauty of a models physique.
Works very well as a silhouette when
shooting against a bright background.

13. A simple and casual looking pose.

Lots of variations are possible. Ask
the model to twist her body,
experiment with hand positioning and
try different head turns.

14. Another very simple and elegant

pose. The model is turned slightly to
the side, hands in back pockets.

15. Leaning slightly forward can be a

very attractive gesture. It is a subtle
way to emphasize upper body
shapes.

16. A sensual pose. By holding the

hands above the head body curves
are emphasized. Works with fit body
types.

17. Endless variations are possible for

posing in full height. This pose is just
the starting point. Ask the model to
slightly turn her body, change hand
positioning, change head and eye
directions etc.

18. A relaxed pose with the model

standing upright and supporting her
back against a wall. Remember that
the model may use a wall not only to
support her back, but also to put her
hands on, or resting a leg against it.

19. Note that full height settings are

very demanding and work well only
with slim to athletic body types.
Posing guidelines are simple: The
body should be arched in an S shape,
hands should be relaxed, while the
weight finds support on just one leg.

20. An exquisite pose for slim to

athletic models. Many variations are
possible. In order to find the best
posture, tell the model to slowly
move her hands and twist her body
constantly. When you see a good
variant, ask your model to hold still
and take some pictures. Repeat for a
full set.

21. An absolutely romantic and

delicate pose. Any kind of cloth (even
a curtain) can be used. Note that the
back doesnt need to be completely
bare. Sometimes as little as a bare
shoulder could work pretty well.

22. Good starting pose. And very nice

way to make the model slimmer. The
model should push her chin forward
and tilt it slightly down while at the
same time the shoulder up, but not
too much! There should definitely be
a little gap between chin and
shoulder.

23. Most often the best poses are the

simplest ones. For female models
supporting body on just one leg and
curving the body in an S shape is a
simple starting rule.

24. Very beautiful way to utilize a wall

or some object for a portrait pose.
Model should gently touch a vertical
surface with her hands.

25. If your model has long falling hair,

try showing them in motion. Ask her
to quickly spin her head to a desired
position allowing the hair to continue
the movement. You might want to
experiment with different shutter
speeds to either capture or avoid a
motion blur. These are usually very
positive and rewarding shots.

26. Suitable for sitting on a couch or

in bed. In order to add some thematic
depth, the model could hold a coffee
cup in her hands, maybe implying
that she is warming her fingers.

27. A nice and cozy pose, very

suitable for indoors with the model
sitting on a couch.

28. Another variation for a model

sitting on a couch.

29. Very nice looking casual pose for

a model sitting on the ground. Try
different
shooting
angles,
for
example, move gradually around the
model or change the shooting points
height.

30. Sitting positions are not limited to

casual shots. Dont be afraid to try
some sitting poses also for more
formal shots.

31. According to some popular and

commonly exploited body language
rules, crossing arms and legs means
putting up some barriers etc. Even if
such beliefs are widespread, it
doesnt mean they are correct. In
pictures crossed arms on the chest
dont send any subconscious signs or
warnings at all! Crossing arms and

legs in all different ways is absolutely

fine for people photography.

32. Not always your model needs to

place
hands
somewhere
specifically. It is absolutely fine to
leave them loosely by the sides. The
same goes for legs, no exaggerations
one leg supports the weight, thats
the only rule you need.

33. Just another sample for a full

height shot you can use as a starting
point. Thumbs or hands partly in side
pockets also work fine.

34. A very nice pose for summertime.

Let her lose her shoes and ask her to
walk slowly. Walk and take your shots
slightly from behind.

35. Hands behind the back, unusual

but very open gesture. She might as
well stand and support herself
against a wall.

36. Very easy and beautiful pose for a

formal portrait. Model should turn a
little bit sideways, head turned
slightly down and towards the
camera.

37. Placing both hands on the waist is

also a very photogenic pose. Works
well both for half and full height
shots.

38. If available, some higher furniture

or interior object might be helpful to
place an arm on and slightly support
the body. This will create a formal but
at the same time an open and
positive posture.

39. Partly sitting on some object is

another very nice pose. Works well
indoors as well outdoors in a city.

40. An example of a feminine and

fashionable pose for a full height
picture.

41.
Demanding
pose,
because
indicating models movement is not
easy. However, if done right, very
rewarding for trendy fashion or very
elegant full height shots.

42. Lovely looking pose for the

appropriate settings the model is
supporting herself against some
fence or bridge railing or some similar
object. Shooting from a side with a
large
aperture
provides
good
opportunities for a shallow depth of
field
with
a
nicely
blurred
background.

43. Good starting pose for an

intimate glamour. Works well in
different surface settings: the model,
for example, might lie on a bed, on
the ground, in the grass, or on a
sandy beach.

44. Just a different variant for the

model lying down. Works very well
with all body types.

45. Really nice and lovely pose. Shoot

from a low angle. Ask the model to
keep her upper body slightly lifted,
but the head slightly tilted down.
Toes should always be pointed.

46. A demanding pose. A few things

need to be checked: Supporting hand
must be turned away from the body,
stomach
muscles
should
be
controlled, and feet need to be
stretched. Works only with slim to
athletic body types.

47. Another challenging pose. Not so

easy to pose and very demanding for
a photographer. In order to shoot this
pose successfully you have to pay
attention and scan all body parts
hands, head, waist (avoid skin
creases!), hips and finally legs.

48. Beautiful pose for an outdoor

shooting. Ask your model to lay
down, curve her back and stretch her
feet.

49. Beautiful pose for the model lying

on the ground. Upper body should be
slightly lifted and the model looking
back over her shoulder. Works well
with all body types. Try different
angles and look for the best position
by moving gradually around the
model.

50. Easy and simple pose to

emphasize a feminine shape. Works
also well as a silhouette against a
bright background.

51. Variant for fine arts nude

photography. Variations are endless
with different hand, leg and head
positioning.

52. Easy and gentle pose. A model

should sit on both of her legs and
feet, but it shouldnt be too heavy.
Eyes looking over her shoulder.

53. Easy yet gorgeous pose. Works

well in different settings, both indoors
and outdoors. Also suitable for a
silhouette shot against a bright
background.

54. An absolutely gorgeous pose if

done
properly.
Correct
limb
positioning
is
crucial.
Works
exceptionally well with all body types.
Also note that you should make your
shots from a slightly elevated angle.

55. Very challenging pose, leg

positioning being the decisive factor
for good results. Carefully guide your
model to the intended postures. High
heel shoes are a must.

56. Simple and dignified pose. Make

sure that models face is not partly
covered by her hand or shoulder.
Eyes looking down to her body
creates particularly romantic mood.
The raised elbow should be pointing
away from the camera.

57. Very feminine and delicate pose.

Remember that glamour and nude
photography doesnt exclude using
some props. Sometimes a single
piece of clothing might be a superb
addition to a shot. Thus, the model
might partly cover her body.

58. Very helpful aid for creating

different poses is utilizing a wall (or
any other object of a kind). Wall can
be used as a place to put hands on,
support a body, back, legs etc.

59. Full height at the wall shot. Again,

endless variation and shooting angles
are possible.

60. Following from the previous, for

example, change you angle and
shoot as well from the back.

61. An exquisite pose for slim to

athletic models. Many variations are
possible. Ask the model to curve a
body in S shape, twist her hips and
change hand positions. Let her turn
her head in different directions.

62. Using a sheer textile as a prop

creates endless possibilities for the
model and photographer to create
very rewarding and outstanding
results. Especially marvelous looks
can be made in windy weather
conditions outdoors.

63. Another good idea for a creative

glamour photography is to shoot in
vast open fields, for example, some
cornfield or wildflowers meadow or
even in a deserted landscape. As
previously mentioned some textile or
other piece of clothing is very helpful
for the model to come up with some
interesting and graceful postures.

As a final note I will say once

again each of these initial sample
poses is only a starting point. Each
pose has endless variations. First of
all, the model can always try different
face expressions, smiles, head turns,
hand and leg placements, body turns
and twists etc. Only slight variations
can make a completely different pose
(and a better one!). Moreover, always
remember to take a shot from
different angles (up and down, right
and left), try changing your distance
to subject, try different crops and
compositions of your shots. After all,
posing is trial and error effort. The
more variations you will try, the
better results you will get.