3 Model Posing Tips You Need To Know!

Please support the blog by hitting the follower button. On PC it's on the top right of the page and on mobile it's on the sidebar.

How to pose models

When initially starting to shoot portrait photography, It can be quite an intimidating experience directing models. With a genre of photography such as this, you need to jump straight into the deep end. Start asking around in your area for models who want to work TFP (time for prints). This will allow you to build experience without investing anything but your time. Once you have practiced standard poses extensively you will always have poses to fall back on when on a shoot. 

Basic poses

These types of poses will be seen everywhere, from social media to fashion magazines. Sometimes the more simplistic an image is, the better it becomes. These images are classics that are great to thicken up your portfolio and can be expected by certain clients. Even if you are on a shoot for specific shots, it’s still good to get them basic shots, as sometimes they can outshine the original idea you had in the first place. This all comes back to how you use your camera and how to utilize light, to turn the most basic poses into a work of art.

You can mix these shots up by:

• Have your subject look directly into the lens. 

• Have them look over your shoulder. 

• Arch one of their shoulders towards yourself to give their body more shape in the image.

• Look directly into the key light (flash or natural light).

Seated poses

With these types of poses, they give off a specific kind of vibe to me personally. They portray comfortability and it can communicate relaxation to the viewer. These are the types of images that are great to add to your collection to build a photo story. 

To make your seated poses stand out, keep these things in mind:

• Shoot from both below and above the subject to get various angles, so you have different looks. 

• Position the legs and feet correctly.

• Be careful when shooting around the crotch area, you can maybe play with shots where the hands sit in front of it.

• If you’re shooting with a flash, make sure if you were just shooting a standing shot, that you adjust the level of the flash so the subject gets the necessary light. 

Movement shots

Shots that incorporate movement can be quite difficult. It’s important that you have practiced these sort of shots before you go try them out on a professional model. If you have rehearsed these shots beforehand then the shoot will flow more smoothly and the model will be more confident in your work. These shots add dimension to your images and will make them stand out compared to your basic and seated posed shots.

How to add to your movement images:

• Jumping shots, where the subject flicks their hair or pulls an unusual face. This will add something different to your portfolio. You want to shoot what other people aren’t because this is what solidifies your photography style.

• Tell your subject to do these movements fluidly, as it looks more natural, rather than a forced image.

• Shoot on high continuous mode on your camera so you can burst shoot your subject to make sure you capture the perfect moment. Then you can select the images that make the final cut.

• Add objects in the frame to fit the image you’re trying to take, for example, this could be throwing flowers over your subject as she flicks her hair.

Mixing all of these poses together on any shoot is a recipe for success. Each pose will look great by itself but when you add them all together it can create a photo story that will be digested better by your target audience.

Try all of these poses and tips out and send your images over to me on Instagram @chrisblairphoto, also DM if you need any help in relation to portraits or just photography in general.