The 7 BEST poses when you have no posing experience | for non-models
We’ve all been there - you want to feel photogenic but have a habit of tensing up and looking stiff as soon as a camera points at you. Posing is one of those things that we tend to forget when prepping to get our photos taken; you may have a killer outfit, but how do you communicate how good you feel in it when you don’t even know where to put your hands?
I got you. Inspired by editorial photography, here are 7 poses that pro models commonly use but are easy enough for anyone to do. No prior posing experience needed.
1. The Hug
Give yourself some love! This is a great pose to start off with if you are feeling extra shy. Place your hands over your arms, elbows, or even across your chest and you’ve got your first pose down. Change it up by slightly tilting your head toward or away from the camera, or shifting your body weight from one side to the other. This pose will provoke a sweet and innocent feel to your look.
2. The Thinker
Moving straight from the Hug pose, move one arm up toward your face and place your index finger on your cheek or under your chin. This will look like you are ‘thinking deeply’ and creates a thoughtful and insightful look. This is a super easy pose but will make you look natural in front of the camera.
3. I’m Bored
You may not actually be bored during your photoshoot (hopefully not), but squat down and lean into your arms as if you were. You can use The Hug or The Thinker here as well, or straighten your back to create an editorial look.
4. Use your Clothing
Use your outfit to your advantage! Dresses, hats, pockets, your glasses - anything that you can interact with will help loosen up your body and bring in more life and movement. I have prompted clients to pretend to tie their shoes or pretend to check the time on their watch as if they were waiting for a friend on a lunch date. This creates very natural and candid photos. Extra points if you have a prop that you can use to play around with!
5. Kick It Off
Another fun way to loosen up is to ask your photographer to count you down and simply kick one leg into the air. Wear a big grin and throw up your hands in the air, or even keep your hands in your pockets if you find it fitting. This is a great pose for any celebratory type of shots, such as a milestone or a graduation, or if you want to add drama.
6. Face Framing
Going on to a more advanced pose, face framing is best used for half body or portrait shots. Gently place your hands around your face. Be sure to keep your hands soft and light; shake out your hands if you feel you are tensing up. You can move your hands above, below, to the side of your face - this pose allows for all kinds of variation. Experiment with your hand shape and where it’s placed.
7. Sun in my Eyes
If you and your photographer are in a setting where there is direct sunlight, interact with the sun by using your hands to shield you eyes from the light. Closing your eyes during this pose will create a soft and relaxed look to your posing. Just like Face Framing, get creative with your hand placement and experiment with where your arms go. The more you lean into it, the better it translates in the photos.
Those are some basic poses that I often use when I’m directing new models or that I personally use when I’m taking self-portraits. Leave me a comment in my latest IG post if you’ve used these or plan to use them in your next photoshoot! @sunnyjeephoto
Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more on my blog :)
