Overview

I am an experienced model who also fell in love with being behind the camera, I understand both perspectives and wanted to give advice on a crucial matter from both perspectives. It’s important that as photographers or individuals on a photoshoot you understand the basics to posing models. Posing can come natural to most but sometimes a little help never hurt nobody.

Here’s a quick and easy guide for beginners on how to pose or help your models who may be a little stuck are just need a little confidence boost.

The Guide

1. First this isn’t really a step for the model but it’s definitely for the ones behind the camera. Doing your research to understand movement and even finding inspiration would be a great first step to being equipped with knowledge for your photoshoot. Finding this guide to posing models was your first great step.
2. After doing your research you should go to the photoshoot equipped with tons of inspiration for the particular theme or direction of the shoot so you can show your models or guide them in the direction of the inspired poses.
3. Another great tip for photographers and models is to understand the triangle rule or the 3 point rule. This refers to creating poses or angles that create a triangular shape on some part of the body. For example simply standing with both hands on your waist will naturally create a triangular shape on each side. It takes practice to naturally get the hang of this concept.
4. Knowing how to communicate with your models is an important skill you will need as chemistry on the set will affect how the photos will come out. Having good energy on set and giving the models a comfortable space that they can be confident and creative will definitely make a difference. Learn words or phrases you can say to your model like, “Tilt your head a bit toward the side”, “Try keeping your chin down a bit I am liking this angle for you”, “relax your shoulders a bit, so it looks a bit more natural”, “Can you look at the light for me? Fab!” Giving compliments and using positive words will definitely boost the model’s confidence.
5. If you have props on set, encourage the model to play with the props and use them to add more creativity to the photoshoot. It sometimes make it easier to come up with poses if there is an object to hold and move around. For example a bag and a chair, the model can try the obvious by sitting in different positions holding the bag or even hugging the bag. However, the key to a great photoshoot especially a creative editorial one is thinking outside the box, so instead of standing on the chair the model can try leaning on the chair whilst still standing, or putting their leg up on the chair could be another option when posing with the chair.
6. Sometimes you will need to become the model yourself and do the pose yourself to show the model the pose you thought of if you have difficulty explaining or if the model is a true beginner who has no clue what you are speaking about.
7. Final tip, sometimes it helps with having a mirror on set that faces the models. Sometimes a pose may feel great to the model but does not translate on camera, having a mirror would allow the model see the poses they are doing and may improve the posing on set.

Final Thoughts

To conclude it takes practice to get comfortable with posing, it is a craft that is learned after several trials and errors. Practice, practice, practice! The models should try practicing their poses in the mirror and the photographer should look for more inspiration and put it into practice at test shoots or future photoshoots. Remember to have positive energy on set and always give words of encouragement and compliments, it really goes a long way. Now that you have the ultimate guide to posing models for a photoshoot, you should now be a pro and will be confident. Happy creating!