Be The Right Model

Posing is about 2 things, making the model and/or the outfit (or other product) being modeled look the best it possibly can. This means posing in ways that emphasis the model’s or the outfit’s positive attributes and de-emphasizing the negatives. Posing also provides a variety of images that will later allow you, the photographer or your client to choose the photo that best accomplishes that goal.

When the product is the subject, it is important to make sure that the product is clearly visible in the resulting photography. Use poses that show the front and back of the outfit as well as any special features. Minimal accessories should be used to place focus on the outfit or item being modeled. Keep in mind where these images are supposed to be going. While creativity is a plus for any type of shoot, ‘artistic’ may not be what your client or photographer is looking for. It is also essential that the person modeling the product look their best too.

The best way to begin learning to pose is to look at magazines, catalogs or images from the Internet and imitate what you see. Practice posing in front of the mirror and the camera as much as possible. You should get an idea of what looks good and what doesn’t. A professional model should be able to easily move between many different poses. Practice your balance and condition your legs. Many times you'll need to hold a difficult pose or maintain a pose that feels like you might lose your balance. Having a friend take snapshots of you posing can be fun and helpful. Look at the photos and try to identify what your strengths and flaws are and how to emphasize them or hide them. Studying your photos will help you find out what types of poses make you look the best.

There are some rules to posing that should be followed. They can be broken as needed, but are good to follow in most circumstances.

1. Poses should be comfortable, but some will not be. Be careful not to let it show that you are uncomfortable. If the pose is painful, let the photographer know!
2. If it bends, bend it!
• Make the most of your curves by rolling your hips back, arching the back and lifting your chest.
• A slight twist at the waist will make you look more alive and creates a slimming effect at the waist.
• Lifting your chest as if you were holding a deep breath will result in pulling in your stomach and improving your posture, plus a fuller chest looks better for anyone (male or female.)
• Arms should have bends at the elbow and be kept off your sides. Visually, there should be a gap between your arms and your body OR your arms can be brought into your body to create a slimming effect.
• Legs should have some separation between them. Planting on legs straight down, toes to the camera and then placing the other foot at a 90 degree angle will result in a bend in the knees that is not supporting your weight and achieves a powerful stance that can be used as a base for many poses.
3. Making the most (or least) of your cleavage:
• To emphasize or increase your cleavage you will want to lean forward and use your arms to push your breasts together. Most of the time, this should be done as subtly as possible by bringing the arms together at waist or crossing your arms in a natural fashion. Good posture will help too.
• To de-emphasize your cleavage, you would do the exact opposite. Lean back, keep your arms apart and off your sides, and possibly even slouch a bit. Also, stretching the body out with your arms beyond your head and shoulders will have a slight reducing effect.
4. Beware of shadows! In particular, when putting your hands in your hair (a classic modeling pose,) make sure that your elbows are not casting a shadow across your face. This can happen anywhere and hopefully your photographer will notice it, but try to watch for this yourself too.
5. Tip-toes! - Wearing high heels or pointing the toes helps tighten the calf muscle and extends the visual length of the legs.
6. Minimize the hands while keeping them in the shot. Keep the hands so that they are visible from the edge, not the back. Unfortunately, the hands show a persons age more quickly than any other part of the body and we don't usually use any cover up there. The backs of your hands may show wrinkles or veins even if you're still very young. Also, your hands typically look thinner and longer if seen from the side.
7. Keeping you head. Imagine there is a string attached to the top of your head that is pulling upwards. This has the benefit of keeping your neck elongated, your posture straight and might help keep you on your tip-toes as well. Keeping your chin up helps to avoid neck wrinkles and double chins as well. When turning your head, you may have some creases that form in your neck. Try to minimize these by keeping your head up and tilted away from the camera. Sometimes the outfit or strategically placed hair will help cover this too.
8. When sitting or reclining, roll the hip on the far side from the camera up slightly from the resting surface so that your weight is on the back of near thigh. This will give your hips a more 3 dimensional (and pleasing) look. If you are sitting and the photographer is shooting at any down angle, try to keep your weight off you thighs altogether as that will help keep them from flattening and looking wider than normal.
9. Control your facial expressions.
• When shooting outdoors, don't let the elements affect your posing. It may be cold or extra sunny out, but you don't want to let that show in the photo! Likewise when looking into bright studio lights. If it's too bad, try closing your eyes for a different look.
• Don't use a big smile for every pose. Try a small smile with your lips slightly parted, a pout, a laugh, a scowl, or even a frown. Your facial expression is part of the overall pose and should have some variety.
• Don't feel that you must always look straight into the camera. It is not only acceptable, but expected that you will be looking off to the side or even completely away for some of your poses.
• Remember to tilt your head and twist your neck slightly a variation in your posing.
10. Keep your location in mind as that may dictate your poses as well.
11. Depending on your photographer (who may like to give directions or none at all) it will help keep your shoot moving along if you keep moving. Don't always wait for directions, but keep in mind that does not mean dancing around either. You will hit a pose - hold it for a second - and then strike another pose. You may be able to keep time with your photographer if you can hear the shutter of the camera too. Occasionally, you will run into a photographer that manages every aspect of the shoot including your posing. In this case, listen to the photographer and pay attention to what he or she is trying to accomplish.
12. Lastly, pay attention to your photographer. He or she should be giving you feedback on how you're doing. Ask questions if you need to.

Posing on a stage is a little different than posing for the camera, even if you are getting shot while you’re up there. Quite often your posing and walking will be choreographed. In general, you will strike a number of poses at certain points and may be expected to walk off-stage OR wait while other models join you. Find out BEFORE hand what you are expected to do.

It is important to be upfront with your photographer (or client) your limits. Will you do sheer or topless shots? Is a thong ok? Be very clear with your photographer about what you are and are not comfortable with BEFORE you begin shooting. You may model something that you may not be used to but always try to make the best of the situation. Sometimes the outfit you are given may not fit perfectly and you may need to be creative in your posing to make it look like it does.

Don't forget, as a model, you are not yourself in front of the camera; you are an actor playing a part. You are portraying the look and type of person that the photographer, client, or art director feels is necessary for the job. Don't get offended or take it personally if the client wants to use you in a manner that you feel is not the real you.

Posing can be a tiring exercise, but you need to keep your energy level up both physically and mentally. If you are feeling down it is ok to ask for a break, take some deep breath, refresh yourself and resume working when you are ready. Take some energy bars and water with you to your shoot to help keep your physical energy level up. (Don’t forget to eat!) Try to group your poses to avoid repeatedly standing and sitting as that can be tiring on you and your photographer.

One last note about your outfits: Weather they are the subject of the shoot or just clothes you brought to shoot in, make sure that they look like they’re supposed to. Make sure straps are flat. Make sure ALL of the tags are removed. If you have clothing that requires tied ends (like a bikini) make sure the strings are cut to the proper length and finished off. Clothes should be clean, pressed and lint free. Shoes should be scuff free and clean looking.