To make the most from your shoot, prepare yourself, be open, relax and ready to experiment. Here are some tips to help you before your shoot.
Research before your shoot.
Studying involves doing your research. Use Pinterest and Google to find model poses for photo shoots that you’d like to emulate. Put together an inspiration board with tear-sheets of the best model poses that you love. You can also practice in the mirror.
Where Should You Be Looking?
Now let’s talk about the eyes and where they should be looking at while posing. There are times when staring into the camera can produce beautiful results. But in most cases, it creates awkward images instead.
To avoid gawky stares, look at a specific object behind the camera. Doing so will make your eyes look more alive as opposed to staring blankly into the void.
Keep the Chin Up
Your chin is essential when it comes to face poses. To emphasise the natural curves of your face and neck, make sure they always keep their chin up.
You don’t have to extend their neck when posing. All you have to do is raise their chin up a little to make it work.
This technique works no matter which direction the head is facing. So don’t hesitate to remind them in case they forget when changing position.
Angle the Limbs for a More Appealing Pose
Most models who are starting out often don’t know what to do with their arms and legs. If you want to get the best results for your photos, ask them to bend their limbs. They don’t have to flex them all the way; just enough until you see triangles between those hips and legs.
For full-body poses, bend one of your knees slightly while standing. As for the arms, you can put your hands somewhere around their waist as a starting point. If your hands are in the air, have at least one of their elbows arch a bit.
Model: Desiree Riley
People are naturally attracted to triangles. So to make your subjects look attractive, incorporate this shape into their form. Furthermore, it gives their poses balance and prevents them from looking rigid.
How to Pose for a Natural Look
Body form is a crucial element when it comes to modelling poses. So pay attention to how you are standing. To project confidence, they have to keep your body straight. If you slouch all the time, you will end up looking awkward no matter what position their arms and legs assume.
It helps if you angle their body toward the camera. Doing so adds dimension to your form and makes you look sophisticated.
If you look/feel too stiff, lean on the back foot. Doing so would naturally put you in a more relaxed position.
Use angles.
Angle your legs and arms, even if only slightly. Nothing says rigid and flat more than standing straight and staring at the camera. Keep your fingers loose and avoid making fists. This type of shoot is done to show full body poses.
