When I first started taking photos for the blog, I had no idea what I was doing (see a great example here and how stiff I look in my photos). While I still feel a little awkward in front of the camera, I have come a long way and definitely look a lot more comfortable than when I started. I’ve learned the importance of posing and have decided to share some poses you can try when you’re unsure what to do when you step in front of the camera.
LOOKING FOR PLACES TO SHOOT IN CINCINNATI? START HERE
LOOKING FOR MORE POSES? LOOK HERE
WHY POSING MATTERS
Posing is crucial when it comes to photography because it tells a story. Poses can convey a message that can’t be captured with words. Posing is also important to help showcase your best features and help you feel confident in the shared images. Posing can take a while to get comfortable in but it’s not rocket science. The key thing with posing is to look for inspiration and keep learning. But most importantly have fun. The stakes are pretty low here so find poses that work for you and make you feel confident.
USE TRIANGLES: THE TRICK TO MAKING YOUR POSES MORE INTERESTING
One thing you’ll see me say throughout this post is making triangles with your body. Triangular posing creates bold lines that can focus attention through the body and towards the face. Triangles also allow for asymmetry, making the poses more interesting and less stiff.
PHOTOS BY: DORESE JENAE PORTRAITS & MEGAN PRYLL PHOTOGRAPHY
8 POSES TO TRY FOR YOUR NEXT PHOTOSHOOT
THE SITTING POSE
Because who doesn’t like to sit?! Sitting is one of the easiest poses for your photo shoot. You can you a chair, sit on the ground, a step, or even do a wall sit to get this pose right. Pay attention to your angles and remember to think in triangles when doing the sitting pose. Making triangles with your body will help get your angles perfectly.
LET’S TAKE A WALK
Who doesn’t love a walking pose? A walking pose is another easy way to pose if you’re unsure what to do. The trick is to pretend to walk. I know that sounds weird but true. In some of these photos I’m actually walking but in many, I’m just rocking back and forth between my front and back leg. It gives the illusion that you’re actually walking when you’re not. The other key when pretending to walk is to swing your arms. Again, it continues to sell the idea that you’re walking.
THE LEAN
This is one of my favorite poses because I’m usually wearing heels and ready to lean on something halfway through the shoot. I love a lean pose because it’s another way to show off your look if you don’t know what to do with your hands. Leaning on something think of your angles and remember to make triangles with some form of your body.
HANDS UP
I don’t always know what to do with my hands. I put my hands up in the air when I’m not sure what to do next. This can look a few different ways. Sometimes I want an artsier pose – aka pretend like I’m a model – so I try to mimic things I’ve seen models do in magazines. It will feel a little awkward doing this but the key here is to keep moving with your hands in the air while your photographer is snapping. This will eventually get you the image you want.
THE POWER POSE
This will look different for everyone. My power pose is with my legs either hip-width apart or a little wider with one arm across my body and the other perpendicular on top with a strong, no smiley face (see below). When you see it, you know I mean business. This is usually my go-to pose and I do it in just about every single shoot because it’s comfortable for me. When figuring out your power pose, it should be something for you that also makes you feel powerful.
THE LOOK BACK
I dub this the look back before the clap back lol. Think of this as the look back you do when you end the conversation but the other person tries to mumble their response. But instead of attempting to knuck and buck, you do it with a smile. My favorite is the look back with a walk. The key here is you’re not actually walking away. You rocking back and forth between one leg and the other while looking back. This gives the illusion that you’re walking away when you are not.
HAIR PLAY
Sometimes it’s hard to figure out what to do with your hands. One easy job for your hands is to put it in your hair. Unless of course, you got a bomb new wig that you don’t want to mess up by putting your hands in. There is no right or wrong to do this, you can do anything you need to do to show that you’re playing in your hair.
THE LEG UP
This is another version of the lean. I actually think of this as the cool girl lean. It was the lean I always saw the really cool girls do on TV growing up. So, the little girl in me feels an ounce cooler every time I get to do this pose. Because your leg will make a triangle with the wall, it will add more interest to your pose.
LOOKING FOR PLACES TO SHOOT IN CINCINNATI? START HERE
LOOKING FOR MORE POSES? LOOK HERE
WOULD YOU TRY THESE POSES FOR YOUR NEXT SHOOT?
