Going to a portrait photo shoot and need some tips on posing?

So, you booked your family or portrait session and now you feel a bit nervous because you never done professional portrait before and don’t know how to pose? YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

From a photographer point of view all people need to do is relax and let the photographer to handle everything else. Everyone gets amazing result when relax. On the other hands, if you know how to pose, your photo shoot will be even more successful. I asked some of my model friends for posing tips. Here are what I got.

  • Practice in the mirror to find angles you like of your face/body, and look at inspiration photos for the shoot and practice those poses or similar ones to get a feel for it

  • posing can feel so awkward the first times you shoot, even if it looks good!

  • Don't turn away from the lighting!

  • If you’re really comfortable...you’re doing it wrong. Sitting and laying down require a ton of core strength to keep posture and hold your body up so it doesn’t make a puddle on the ground.

  • The ole string from the top of your head pulling up is a great one.

  • Start with a shoot where you can smile. Don’t force it but chat and laugh and have a good time. A true smile will look lovely, and is easier at first than those parted lip shots which are great, but take practice to not look like a fish.

  • Don’t forget the elastic on your wrist or dirt under your nails. chewing gum before a shoot dries your lips out.

  • Ask the photographer to see photos taken on the camera. It helps to see from the camera’s viewpoint.

  • Watch your fingers/hands so that you’re not hiding fingers or having your hand look like a claw. If touching your face, barely place onto your face, don’t leave indention

  • If not smiling, let out a quick puff of air so that your lips are not tense and look more natural.

  • Ask your photographer for recommendations.

  • Add movement. Twirl. Look behind you then quickly turn your head towards the camera. Jump. Skip. Run your fingers slowly along your leg, arm or hair so that the photographer has time to capture the placement where it looks natural.

  • Practice in front of a mirror. Know your good side and angles.

  • RELAX. If you are tense it shows in your body and face. Play your favorite music. Take a few deep breaths. Drop the tension from your shoulders. HAVE FUN

  • Extend every part of your body (if that makes sense). When you see an image of a model reclining gracefully, the model is really straining every muscle to LOOK graceful, it doesn’t feel that way. You don’t want to collapse into yourself or you’ll show unflattering lines. It’s like yoga kind of.

  • Don’t change your poses drastically between shots. You should only be moving very slightly and gradually. That’s how you get the best variety and quality of poses.

  • One specifically for hands which often takes a long time for models: think of Barbie and make your hands like hers, thumbs slightly tucked in, fingers together and elongated. Don’t take it too literally, soften it up a bit, but when you’re clawing up that little note of Barbie hands can help break some of those jagged angles in your hands.

  • Point your toes, don’t spread your fingers open like a fan, if it hurts it looks good, ask to look at what’s being shot during

  • Be subtle in your movements between poses! Instead of trying to switch up poses drastically, make really subtle changes. It can make all the difference in the final shot.For example, if you find a pose that works for your legs, try subtly changing up your arms and hands, or moving your head/tilting it in different ways. Or if you find a pose that looks amazing for your head, try just switching up the legs and arms.

  • breathe, relax, think about instilling hope in the viewer

Kyle Cong