Before I go into detail, keep in mind that this is not necessary. You don’t need to worry about remembering several poses, thinking about all the details, etc. I’ll guide you through each pose, modeling each one for, and we will flow from one to the next. We will also capture a variety of poses, including expressions, so you never have to worry about that one ‘perfect’ pose (hint: it doesn’t really exist; we are all unique; this is a collaboration, and I’ll be your guide through the journey).
It can, however, be fun and help with the pre-session nerves. Pick a few poses you like, such as one standing, one on the bed, and one with different facial expressions. Don’t worry too much about actually seeing yourself in the poses, though that can be helpful, this is more about moving your body into positions that are far from a ‘normal’ day (well, for most of us!).
Stretch! Stretch before you practice and before the shoot. Posing can be more of a workout than you might think. It is for everyone. You’ll also be pushing your body into positions that might not be comfortable. You may have heard ‘if it is uncomfortable, then It’ll look great!’. There is some truth to that. Don’t worry, though, we’ll go slow, take any breaks you need, and do a large variety of poses.
Body Details
Much of what makes great pictures is the details. Here is a list of things that we’ll work on:
Head
Elongate your neck, slightly extend your chin towards the camera, and keep your chin just slightly down. You can try tilting your head slightly to one side or the other. This will give you a more sensual, playful look and make your eyes look bigger, and give you a lovely jawline.
Hands
Keep your fingers relaxed, with a gentle bend in the joints. Think about your fingers brushing softly across your skin. We don’t want any tense grip, it will show up in the photos. Similar to your toes, imagine a ballerina’s gentle hands, subtly directing your gaze, relaxed but deliberate. Whenever unsure, you can put a thumb through your lingerie, play with your hair, or run your fingers slowly up/down your body.
Body
Posture will be important. Think about a string that connects to the top of your head; when we pull it, your back straightens, and you will look taller and thinner.
Shoulders
Try to keep them relaxed, low, and away from your head. This will make you look taller and more confident, more sensual. Pull them back slightly, with a ‘chest out, shoulders back’ look.
Toes
This one is very important. Think about a ballerina dancer and how they keep their toes pointed, always. This will extend the visual line of your legs and curves, creating a continuous form, making a more elegant look (and longer legs!). This also has the added bonus of keeping people’s eyes on the areas of the photo we want someone to focus on vs. getting drawn to an awkward foot!
Back + Hips + Booty
In many photos, we’ll want to arch your back, push your hips back, which will ‘pop’ your booty. It can be uncomfortable at times, but it really helps to accentuate your curves, drawing one’s attention to the beautiful lines.
This can be particularly helpful to practice. It’s not a natural pose, but it can make a photo. If you practice yoga, you can think of the ‘cat’ pose and arch in the lower back.
Don’t forget to look at part 2!
Pro Posing Tips: Part 2
