A Guide To Posing - For Beginners

A lot of girls wanting to enter the modeling arena have the unrealistic idea that they just have to show up and be a pretty face. But, a pretty face isn't enough - there are thousands of pretty faces out there. To be noticed you need something that will make you stand out from the rest. New models that stand apart from the bunch are ones that have worked out a collection of poses which they know by heart, and can flow from one to the next effortlessly. They have familiarized themselves with what poses make them look their best and have the creativity to pick poses which will fit the 'feel' of the image trying to be shot. An experienced model working with an experienced photographer develop a rhythm during a shoot - pose-hold-click, pose-hold-click - once you reach this stage you can consider yourself a professional.

The model is who brings life to the photo. You can't take a captivating subject shot without a captivating subject. The photographer is there to orchestrate the technical aspects of the photo - the lights, the camera, the set - as well as create great shots out of what he sees. While he shoots, he will always give input on adjustments to the models poses, giving valuable feedback from the camera's point of view.

Not to say that a photographer isn't willing to help you with posing. A portfolio photographer has the experience behind him from shooting a variety of models and has seen different styles of posing. Most photographers in general offer a lot of input regarding how to position yourself for the best look. However having some poses already worked out really shows your serious about becoming a model, and you may get called again.

If you are doing a shoot for your own portfolio, the main creative input should be your own. You will want to know and use your best poses to get the most out of each shot taken. If you know a broad set of creative poses it will show through in your portfolio. Models who show skill at posing are often chosen over others. If you are working with a portfolio photographer, you will have a lot of help in getting your poses looking great as well as input on new ones that work.

Things to practice
Here are some basics to help you get started with proper posing. The best way to practice is in front of a large or full-length mirror. Many professional models will agree when it comes to posing, you can learn in front of a mirror most of what you will learn at any modeling school. If you use it to learn which poses make you look your best and practice moving from one to the next, in time you will learn to smoothly and naturally flow between them. This is what is needed when you are in front of the camera. After you start getting a collection of photos from your shoots, use these as feedback to fine tune your poses since ultimately the camera is the best (or worst) critic.

Stand in a good, firm stance, with your legs placed about two feet apart. Try making interesting shapes with your legs and hips. Try not to lock your knees unless it is intentional for the look of the pose. Try pushing your hip out to the side, flirt with your shoulders and project your feelings. Don't be afraid to really express yourself, dramatic poses can make great shots.

Don't slouch - slouchers look bad in pictures. If you keep your spine straight, and your hips out and forward it will help to keep proper posture. Always try to be mindful of your posture till it becomes second nature.

Your shoulders should be relaxed and back. Use your arms in creative and graceful shapes. Practice creative ways to hold your hands and arms. Try finding what looks the best for different types of shots - Headshot, Waist up, 3/4 shot, and Full-length. Having even part of your hands or arms in a tight head shot can add interest to a photo.

Hands should be relaxed and kept thin facing the camera. Avoid having your hands in a fist. If you place your hands on your body, they should lay flat and casual against you. You shouldn’t have your palms or the back of your hand directly facing the camera. This makes your hands look large. You want them to appear small and thin. If holding your hands out and away from the body, try to keep the thin side facing the camera. Even when leaning on something, keeping a nice thin hand to the camera gives a pleasant finish to the line of your arm.

Hands should always be doing something, even if they are on your hips or placed somewhere else on your body. Think of ways to draw more interest in what you’re doing. Play with your hair, pull on your shirt, gesture and express yourself with them. If you have a prop, use your hands in creative ways with it. Twist your fingers in the phones cord, etc.

When you have to place one part of your body on another - such as putting your chin on your folded arms - avoid putting weight onto it. For example, if your pose has you resting your face against your hand, don't put the weight of your head against your hand, this will distort your face as it presses into it. Just lightly rest it against it to imply that its supported by your hand. This applies to any case where you can avoid pressing one part of your body against another.

If your feet are off the ground, always point your toes. It makes a nice finish to the line of your leg and accentuates their shape.

Suck in your tummy. The camera always adds pounds, and this helps give you a flat tummy. No matter if you are in a sweater or a bikini.

Stick out your chest. Everything closer to the camera looks bigger.

Stick out your butt. If the shot is from the back, accentuate your features by pushing your butt or hips out.

Arch your back. If you are laying on your front or back, arching your back gives nice shape and curves.

If you are practicing for photos which need some sex appeal - such as glamour, try to 'flash a bit of skin'. It doesn't have to be anything risqué or extreme to be sexy, teasing a bit of navel or playfully hiking your skirt up a few inches implies sexiness. Remember, it's not always what you show, its what you don't show that makes things exciting. This is one of the cases where teasing is a good thing.

Lights
You don’t need to know everything about lighting, but there are some basic things you should know. Stay in your light and know where your main light is. When there is a single main light coming from one direction you must learn how to use it. If the light is coming from the right you need to work to that direction. You may also find that a certain type or direction of light may make you look better. This may be a difficult idea to grasp until you have done a few shoots - but it is best to be aware of it right from the start.

Your mark
Stay on your mark. When you advance to more professional shoots, the photographer or art director will have designed and set up the lighting and setup you are going to be working in. You will be given a particular spot or ‘mark’ where you fit into the shot. It is important to be aware of how much you can move from that spot. Figure out how far forward, backward, side to side, and up and down you can move. A tight setup may require you to stay close to your mark. Move too far from your mark and you may throw the camera out of focus, move out of the light, destroy the alignment, or distort the shot.

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