When you're at a photo shoot and the photographer points his camera at you, it's important not to look like a deer in headlights.
Although it may take some time, try to act comfortable and natural in front of the camera - because if you feel nervous or awkward, it will definitely show in the photos.
It may help to even forget that the photographer is there and just get in your own zone and do your own thing.
And now I'll go a little more in detail about...
How To Pose
Don't get stuck in the same pose for more than three seconds. Three seconds?!? Yeah, and even that might be too much.
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| Katrina Hunter Barbizon Midwest Graduate & Model |
KEEP MOVING. Slightly tweak your pose by moving your shoulders, angling your face differently, repositioning your arms, legs, etc. It helps to think of modeling as a sort of dance. Keep moving, keep flowing.
BREATHE
Although sometimes concentration enhances a good photograph, obvious concentration can distract and often ruin a good photograph as well. Do NOT hold your breath for a modeling pose; always remember to breathe and appear at ease.
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| Katrina Hoernig Barbizon Midwest Graduate & Model |
POSTURE
You must have good posture. Modeling is all about positioning your body in flattering angles and interesting shapes, so it's important to have good posture to begin with. I've never seen a successful model who hunched all the time, have you?
Always remember to keep your back straight and your shoulders back. Slouching affects the mood of the photograph and enlarges the appearances of your stomach. In addition to your back and shoulders, always remember to flex your stomach muscles. Despite your weight or state of shape, your abdomen will appear more toned if you flex.
LIMBS
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| Courtney Goetsch Barbizon Midwest Graduate & Model |
Symmetry is officially out in the modeling world. When posing, make sure to differentiate your arms and legs with asymmetrical poses. If you have one arm long and straight by your side, make sure the other arm is bent. Whether a big or small angle, the bend will make the modeling pose look more real, less artificial. Continue the asymmetry to your legs. If one leg is locked straight, give the other leg a casual bend.
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| Holly Ridings Barbizon Midwest Graduate & Model |
Be aware of your hands. If you have claw hands, or are making an awkward position with your hands, RELAX.
Keep your hands graceful and soft whether they are on your hips, or hanging loose at your sides. Don't clamp them at your waist or make tight white knuckle fists - your hands should always stay light and smooth.
CAMERA
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| Patrick Thompson Barbizon Midwest Graduate & Model |
Although the camera is ultimate focal point of a modeling photo shoot, great models do not look directly into the camera. To enhance the quality of your photo shoot look away from the camera with a mix of head and eye poses. Looking off to the right or left side, or tilting your neck to either side can help you avoid direct eye contact with the camera. In many cases, your head and neck can remain stationary in your modeling pose, and your eyes can do all the work. Head and eye positions, coupled with personable facial expressions make for great model poses.
SITTING POSES
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| Samantha Drew Barbizon Midwest Graduate & Model |
If you are sitting down during your photo shoot - don't think it's okay to slack off. In fact, sitting photo shoots require a lot of extra work. If you are sitting down or reclining, it's important to put your weight on the back of one thigh, rather than distributing your weight equally on both thighs. If you roll one hip up from the ground surface, shifting your weight will be simple. This pose results in a slimming effect that you don't want to miss out on!
SMILE
If you have a naturally beautiful smile - show your pearly whites with pride, just not every time. If you smile in each modeling pose, modeling agents will notice your lack of versatility, not your smile. To add variety to your modeling poses, try switching up your smile to a cute frown, a bratty pout, a friendly laugh, or even an edgy scowl. Your facial expressions can make or break your modeling poses. Let your smile show, but make sure to show what else you can do.
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| Theresa Croft Barbizon Midwest Graduate & Model |
And like I've mentioned before, look through fashion magazines and other model's portfolios for pose inspiration and to see what works and what doesn't.
It's also important to note what type of shoot you're doing - fashion, commercial, or glamour. They call for different kinds of posing. Fashion modeling usually requires more angular and dramatic poses, while commercial modeling tends to expect more everyday, happy and casual poses.
So pose accordingly.
And of course practice, practice, practice! Just like any other skill, it takes time to learn how to pose well and make it second-nature.
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