ADVICE FOR AN AMATEUR OR A

PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER
Shooting a human body is one of the most difficult things in photography. How do you make a man
masculine, and a female feminine looking, how do you make a couple look in love and a family look happy?
First of all it's achieved by the pose. For a normal photo session you have to have a plan. This guide will help
you to make this plan.

To make it easier for you to read this book, it is divided into two parts; these parts are advice for a
photographer and popular poses for taking pictures. Use these parts separately or together, whatever is
easier for you. It might be more convenient for you to print out separate pages and consult them during
shooting. Sometimes it might be necessary to show the information to the model to demonstrate the way the
model has to position himself/herself at the moment. And the advice that is given, can be printed out and
posted above your working table – it definitely deserves it!

PHOTOGRAPHY POSES FOR WOMEN– THE

MAIN FEATURES AND TIPS
1. Everyone knows the position for a typical beginner
photographer – the model is standing facing the camera holding
the body vertically. It's not advisable to use this pose. It doesn't
have any life, and it's plain boring. In general it can suit some
models if those models have ideal figures. You can have an
effect of a split between the legs, if the legs have a classical
shape. But in general this pose should be used with caution.

2. A decent model should almost always transfer the

weight on one of the feet. Such photography poses look much
more natural.

3. In order for the girl in the picture to stay feminine, you

have to avoid straight angles and straight lines. Try to create the
poses, that are smooth; create the curves, that accentuate
softness and feminine characteristics for the model. Straight
angles, strength, roughness should be used when you are taking
a shot of a man.

4. The easiest way to accentuate the feminine features of a

model is to take a picture of her secretly when she is trying to
make herself look better fixing her makeup, her hair or her
clothes.

5. Pay more attention to the photography poses when the model is positioned side-ways or is standing
half-turned, but not facing the camera.

6. Legs are a part of a woman's body that attracts attention of most men. A girl that has long legs is
considered by any man as a more beautiful girl, than the one with short legs. If you would like to give
your model longer legs visually, you can do it through raising her feet to seem taller (shoes on high heels,

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 standing on tip toes). If you are taking a picture of a woman in her bathing suit, you can shoot from the
back and visually make the length of the legs longer because of the buttocks.

7. Another simple method to make legs longer is to take a picture of the model from below and to shoot
mainly from bottom up during the photo shoot.

8. If the model looks up, and not in the camera, then the eyes look bigger and more expressive. You can ask
the model to tilt the face forward and look in the camera, then the eyes will look bigger as well.

9. Make sure to have the correct framing of the shot, so if the model is being shot in full height, then the
distance between the head and the top corner of the picture should be larger than the distance between
the legs and the bottom corner of the picture.

10. During the photo shoot the model moves in front of the camera, taking various poses. Encourage smooth
movement avoiding brisk moves, this will allow you to keep the proper emotional attitude, calmness and
relaxation to go through the whole session smoothly.

11. Make sure that the model doesn't stretch the arms or the legs towards the camera, this will make gross
distortion from the correct proportions (unless that was meant to be that way).

12. Another tip about the legs. Remember that socks make legs look shorter visually, don't forget to ask the
model to take them off.

13. If you are taking pictures of a model with one light source, place it in the left top position. That is related
to the psychological characteristics of perception.

14. To make the smile brilliant turn away from the photographer. Turn towards him only for one second
before taking a shot, depending on his signal, and smile. The smile will appear colourful and natural to its
maximum potential.

15. A model in simple clothes like jeans, a sweater, and so on, will look younger in the photograph, as well as
fresher and more spontaneous, than in a business suit.

16. If you are taking a picture of a girl sitting down looking straight at you, remember, that her proportions
will be distorted, and her legs will turn out too short.

17. Sometimes photographers use hats that make the model look more feminine. Do not put a small hat on a
model with a large head – it will visually make her head even larger (think about the queen of hearts).

18. For plus size models it's better to stand with their back towards the camera, turning their head sideways.

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 PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS FOR A FEMALE PHOTO
SESSION– HOW TO USE THE HAIR
1. A model's hair is a very important detail and can become
the central point of your composition. You can make very
beautiful poses for photo sessions with the help of long, well-
kept hair of the model. The hair attracts attention and distract
the viewer from body imperfections. Look at the famous
photographers' works – they always use models with long
beautiful hair during their photo shoots. The classical pose is to
make the model lie down and spread her hair around, which can
make any girl a beauty. Remember that beautiful hair always
accentuates the beauty and the expressiveness of the face and
the eyes of the girl – it’s the main photography tip for a female
photo session.

2. If the photograph has a girl with her long hair loose,

where she is doing something with her hair, for example, when
she is brushing her hair, the girl's charm, and femininity
increase a lot. The main thing here is to spread the elbows to
the sides, other than point them towards the photographer.

3. The hair can create the dynamics, if the model allows the
hair to be blown around in the wind, be shaken or waved
around. You can use wet hair, and the model would have to throw the hair on the back, while the
photographer would be making the shot.

4. Too much wax or spray in the hair can make the hair shimmer from the flash, so you have to take that
into consideration during the photo shoot.

5. The hair style can easily compensate for the face being asymmetric – you just need to cover half of the
model's face with the hair.

6. The hair, that the model has in the picture, forms the attitude of the viewer towards the model and
creates its image for the viewer. In reality, of course, this image has nothing to do with the real intellect
and the character of the model – but who cares? Our task is to create a beautiful image, a work of art that
everyone can love and admire.

7. If the forehead of the model is completely open, the majority of the viewers will perceive the model as
intellectual or intelligent. That is, of course, not always necessary for a girl (more often otherwise).

8. If the hair style is covering the forehead of the model half way, this photograph will be perceived
neutrally. That is the “safest” hair style for most of the purposes.

9. A completely covered forehead with the hair will attract the attention of the viewer towards the
forehead. This will make the model daring and strong in the mind of the viewer. This is usually
completely inappropriate for an image of a woman (unless you are taking a picture of an athlete, for
example, who needs this type of an image).

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 MALE PHOTOGRAPHY POSES– THE MAIN
FEATURES AND TIPS
1. It's easy to accentuate the masculinity of the model by
creating straight angles in the picture, and creating overall
roughness and coarseness. They are very well accepted by the
viewers. The proportions of the model don't make a difference.

2. It's better to turn the model with his chest towards the
camera, especially when the model is well-built and has a wide
chest. The classical photography pose here is having the thighs
half way open, and having the chest straight forward. This will
also accentuate the masculinity of the model.

3. If the male model has naturally noticeable eyebrows,

that are thick, broken or triangular, for example, it's better not
to cover them up in the picture. To the opposite, they will
become dominant for your photo, accentuating the individuality
of the model.

4. Good, “masculine” positions of the arms are having the

arms criss-crossed on the chest or holding the hands in the
pockets showing thumbs.

5. When the man is standing up, he can divide his weight

proportionately between his legs, or transfer the weight on one
leg. It is possible to use any of those standing positions. But
transfering the weight on one leg usually makes better photography poses.

6. It is better to have the model lower his chin a little during taking the proper position for the shoot –
sticking the chin out does not look good for either men or women.

7. Rippling muscles, a short neck and narrow thighs are the advantages of a male model, so they have to be
accentuated during the photo shoot. Only if the male model has them, of course.

8. A bent, crooked back should be avoided when either a man or a woman are being shot on camera. This
creates an impression of a tired sick person and an overall repulsive impression for the viewer. It is
advisable for the model to keep the back straight during the photo session.

9. If you are taking a picture of a man in a business suit, it's better not to use a completely new suit, never
worn before. It will not look natural. You should take the one that has been already worn a little.

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 HOW TO MAKE A BEAUTIFUL PICTURE AND
HIDE FIGURE IMPERFECTIONS
1. Not everyone can look good in the picture, not
everybody's body is beautiful. Try to figure out what looks best
in the photo for your model and choose those poses that will
accentuate the beauty of the model for your photo shoot. The
other parts of the body that are not as beautiful, can be shot at
different angles, where they can be presented better.

2. The chin is not always perfect for either men or women.

A double, triple (so on) chin can be hidden if the angles of
photos are not done from below, and place more significance on
the shots from above the model. The chin will be much less
noticeable and the attention of the viewers will be on all the
other parts of the woman.

3. And something else about the chin – when you are

taking a picture of it, try to avoid having your model tilt her
head forward, this can visually create a double chin for her on
the picture.

4. On the other hand, if the chin is too small, you can

accentuate it from shooting it from below, and making the
model tilt her head a little.

5. The optimal face shape is an oval. Accentuate the face shaped like an oval can be done through various
ways – with the help of a collar, a hair style or headwear.

6. If the face of the model is elongated, it will make a disproportion, and to smooth it out your would have
to tilt the head of the model forward, and move the body to the side. You could use a wide-rimmed hat.
Though, to the contrary, “a horse” type face is considered as an additional sign of beauty by many men.

7. If the model has a round face, and you are trying to smoothen out this irregularity, you have to
photograph the model turned three fourth of the way, or sideways. You could try to use a tall hat. Again,
not for every model a round face is a bad thing in such a way that you would have to cover it or hide it.
Sometimes it's better to show the natural beauty of the model without hiding it.

8. One of the basic definitions of photography when you are evaluating the body are “the axes”, or in other
words nominal lines along which different body parts are located. Pay attention to the way “the axes” of
the mouth and the eyes are going. If they are not parallel, it is not always a bad thing, and often gives the
model a special charm. If you think that this face feature is a disadvantage, and you would like to hide it,
avoid taking pictures with the face forward, moreover, do not take a picture of the model's smile in this
pose. You should allow the to photograph face forward or half way toward having a face forward picture,
the imperfections of the face in this position will not be noticeable.

9. You could hide protruding ears avoiding taking face forward pictures, and taking pictures of the model
sideways. You could cover them with hair or with a hat. You cannot use back lighting because the ears
will be seen through, and the picture will come out ugly with red and see through ears.

10. A big nose can be hidden through two ways – you could take a photograph mainly face forward from a
spot a little below the face. You could also use a hair style by brushing the hair on the forehead and the

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 cheeks, or you could leave the hair loose. It's not advisable for the models with a big nose to have hair
styles with a parting, small curls or thin curls.

11. If a long nose is a disadvantage for a model, it is easy to hide it. Accentuate face forward pictures. You
could brush the hair so that it falls on the cheeks. It's not advisable to use sleek hair style, or hair
brushed to the back. It's not a good idea to bend the head down, then the nose will be much longer.

12. For a short nose you could use a round hair style.

13. For a very high forehead you could use either straight or brushed to the side fringe, such a forehead
should not be completely covered up.

14. You should not use sleek hair styles for a low forehead; stress tall, lush, large hair styles and asymmetric
fringe.

15. Rare hair should mainly be the trouble for the hair-dresser, and not the photographer. However, this
flaw can be hidden by providing back lighting. Then the head will have a halo around it, that will visually
increase the volume of hair.

16. Legs that are too muscular can spoil the appearance on the picture, making the woman too masculine.
Use the poses where the legs of the model are relaxed, and the model is either sitting or lying down. The
muscles that are developed too much will be hidden in that case.

17. If the woman is middle-aged and has wrinkles, and is trying to hide them in the photo, you should not
completely rely on the retouching of the finished photograph. The wrinkles can be easily hidden with the
help of soft lighting.

18. If the model is slouching, you should not take a sideways picture of her. Mostly take the pictures face
forward, or shooting from below.

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 HOW TO PHOTOGRAPH PLUS SIZE MODELS -
CLOTHING
Besides the poses that you will be choosing when you are
photographing plus size models (of different sizes), the clothing,
that you dress your model in for the photo session, plays a great
role. It's not obligatory to hide the weight, especially since
sometimes it's not possible at all. In many cultures female
corpulence, as it is widely known, is considered a sign of beauty
and many men are not trying to approach standard beauty
women. It is known, that historically more corpulent women
were considered beautiful, but it's just that not long ago the
standard reference for female body beauty has changed.

There are a few simple rules that will allow you to choose the
colours and the fashion style in a way that the clothing will help
to dress the model in the picture by accentuating her positive
features.

1. You cannot use separate clothing in too many

contrasting colours for plus size models – for example, black
and white colours, or blue and yellow colours. If the bottom and
the top parts of the model's body are dressed in very
contrasting colours, then the model's figure will visually be
divided into parts and the corpulence will not be accentuated in
the advantageous way.

2. Fabric with large prints or pictures is not suitable either.

3. It is not recommended to use clothing with short fitted sleeves for plus size models. Voluminous and
dimensionless things are also going to look unfavourably.

4. Avoid tight-fitting around folds of fat.

5. Wide belts look ugly on a plus size model, it's better to accentuate the waist with a narrow or medium
width belt of the same tone as the clothing.

6. White colour is not suitable for a plus size model. Although it is possible to use shades of white and grey.

7. If the model is short, it's better not to wear hair styles with long hair. It's better to have short hair.

8. For these types of ladies it's better to use clothing made of smooth fabric, one colour clothing or with
very small print, not very tight-fitting and not very loose. Small contrast print looks much better (but
remember – do not dress with contrasting colours below and above the waist, it's okay to have
contrasting pictures as prints on the fabric only!) It's good to use black and shimmering colours and
patterns.

9. If you have to make the height taller visually, you can use a long scarf of the same type of fabric and the
same colour as outer clothing.

10. You could use large jewelry, deep collar neckline, and undo the top buttons as if by accident.

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 SHOOTING OUTSIDE – TOP PHOTOGRAPHY
TIPS
1. When you are shooting outside your studio you have to
choose your photo angles taking into account the shades.
During the day the shades change, and the sun stays up as high
as possible and creates very short shades. With this sort of
lighting it's possible to use the angles from above, and shoot
from above, then the person will look shorter than he is in
reality.

2. Bright sun will give very sharp light, and due to that the
eyes will stay in the shadows of the brows and will not look
very beautiful in the pictures. You can get rid of this effect by
raising the head up during the shooting. But the higher the sun
is above the horizon, the more you will have to raise your head.
That is why it's preferable to use evening or morning lights.
Naturally a cloudy weather or diffused light don't matter here.

3. Pay most of the attention to the horizon when you are

shooting outside. It's clear that the horizon should not be
“overwhelmed”, when the horizon line is curved, and that's the
first sign of an amateur photo. The second and less widely
known rule is that the horizon line should not divide the picture
equally into two parts.

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 FAMILY AND GROUP PHOTO - ADVICE

1. The figures that are placed at the same

level are going to look boring. You have to place
the people differently, you can put someone
sitting down, and someone lying down, and
you'll see that the result will look much more
interesting.

2. If you are taking pictures of a family, you

don't have to put everybody sitting together.
This will make a classical boring picture. Be
more creative and make a “pyramid” out of
people, or place their heads together in a way,
almost like “a flower”. Within reason, of course.

3. The maximum number of people for

perception on one picture is seven people. If
there are more people, you will not get a work of art but a document. That is, judging by the picture you
will be able to say that you have gathered together on that date and took a picture, which looks very
boring.

4. Place the people in the group picture closer to each other than you would in real life. The group is
perceived differently in the picture if you keep usual distances that people normally have in real life. In
the picture the group will look very disjointed like that.

5. Try to use “mirror” like poses when people are standing in the same pose, but mirror each other. Such
positioning is unusual and looks excellent in the picture.

6. If you are making a photo of a group of three people, for example, two adults and one child, avoid a
triangular composition, where the heads in the picture make a triangle with the corner down. This type
of shot composition creates a subconscious wish from the viewer to “switch the position of the triangle”,
and place it into a more stable position.

7. If the group is large and people are standing on different levels, then the chins of the models in the top
row should not go to the level of the bottom row people. If this is allowed, the picture will come out
“broken up”

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 POSES FOR A PHOTO SHOOT
Human body can take a million poses, but to have an interesting photo session or for a model portfolio, not
every pose is suitable. Each pose expresses an emotion, an inner state of the model, and each pose
symbolizes something. Using correct positioning of the photograph and the model can assist in creating a
certain effect and to show the model in a more advantageous light. You can accentuate strong sides of the
model and hide her weak sides, you can show her character, and make a woman look more feminine and a
man more masculine, you can show strong feelings between two people and their relationship in their
family. At the same time the poses that are suitable for one model will not be suitable for another model at
all.

As a result the majority of photographers and the majority of models arrive to a certain number of limited
poses that they have for every photo session with every model. Try to make up your own number of poses to
take your pictures like a professional does. Of course, we are not listing all the poses here, not even all the
main ones, but almost all the photographers use them.

POPULAR FEMALE POSES FOR A PHOTO SESSION

A STANDING MODEL

ONE KNEE IS COVERING THE OTHER ONE.

It's the easiest and most popular pose when shooting a woman. Her whole
weight is transferred onto the leg at the back. The woman demonstrates
modesty, femininity and elegance. Her legs are visually made longer. You can
take a photo of this model either sideways or straight forward. Her arms can
take different positions and be placed either along the body, behind the head,
be fixing the hair, or she can embrace herself with the arms regardless of
what you are trying to show. It's important to note that the front leg is bent a
little, it can be raised on the toes, but it should not be lifted off the ground,
because then the model might be looking vulgar. If this pose is shot from the
back, then one of the buttocks should be placed a bit higher than the other,
and it will increase attractiveness and will attract attention.

CRISS-CROSSED LEGS
This pose also accentuates romantic nature and femininity of the model.
Due to the fact that the eyes are focusing on the point where the legs are
criss-crossed, more attention is attracted to that point. However, the legs
are made visually shorter then, so the pose is not recommended for the
models with short or large legs. This pose is more suitable for the models
with long legs, and the thinner are the legs, the more criss-crossed they can
be. The impression from this pose will be intensified, if the front or the back
legs are placed on the toes, or the model is just wearing high heeled shoes.

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 ONE LEG IS BENT
This is a relaxed, but not a very noticeable pose. Generally, it's good for
practically any model. However, you have to see whether the legs are short
or stout, then you should not show them in your picture at all. It's better to
cover them with a dress or a skirt, and to hide them to your maximum
ability.

LEGS SHOULDER-WIDTH APART

It's a stable and a strong pose. It's more
suitable for male than female models.
When you are shooting a female in this
pose, you should remember that the
weight of the model should not be placed
equally on both legs, it's better to transfer
it on one of the legs. The model can stretch
the leg out and bend it a little, this way she will demonstrate her figure. If
the model is holding her hands on the waist, the pose becomes too
aggressive. If the model bends her thigh a little and stretches the leg out too
much, it looks as if the model is doing it on purpose to demonstrate the
body of hers, and the aggressive nature of the pose is still present. One
variation of this pose is interesting – when the legs are stretched out and
one leg is moved to the back, it is fashionable to place the leg on the toes or
to place it on a pedestal, and make the model go down the stairs, for
example. Then the good features of the body will be demonstrated.

LEGS TOGETHER, FEET APART

In its core this pose is made for teenagers, but it is also suitable for women,
who look younger that their age. This pose is not recommended for mature
women, because it will not fit their age or appearance. It gives the model
features of innocence and it accentuates the youth.

A MODEL CURTSEYING A LITTLE

The easiest way to attract attention to the
main points of knees, buttocks, and breasts.
The lower the model is curtseying, the
better it will be perceived by the viewers.
Unfortunately, this largely depends on the
physical fitness of the model.

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 INCLINED POSE
Having placed your model in this position you can visually change the
proportions of the model, and you can make it a bit better from making the
legs longer. Besides, such poses have colourful erotic character, especially if
you angle your camera from the back. The main thing is that the poses are
universal and they are applicable for practically any model. Pay attention to
the hands – don't let them hang down (a walking gorilla) or be placed on the
back (Oh, man, my back). Set the hands on the knees or embrace the breasts.
Do not forget – the back has to be straight or inclined, but do not make it
round at any point!

HANGING DOWN POSE

This pose will give your model a happy, not
serious look. It's suitable mostly for young
models. It can make you think about a pole in
a strip bar, so it's not always usable.

POSES HOLDING ONTO AN OBJECT

When a model is standing in this position,
the picture has a certain level of calmness
about it. With that, if the object is located in
front of the model, then the viewer is
perceiving the position as a forced stop, and
the model is ready to continue moving. If the
object that the model is holding onto is located behind her, it's a relaxed
pose, and the model is clearly resting.

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 SITTING MODEL

ONE LEG ON THE OTHER

It's the easiest and a widely used pose. The attention of the viewer is placed
on the legs of the model. The pose has a strong emotional message, the
higher the leg of the model, the more optimistic, but at the same time less
modest the pose will seem to the viewer. The variation of this pose, when
the model is pressing the knee to herself with her hands can show that she
is trying to defend herself from the world around, it makes the model seem
defenceless or needing defence. You can correct the flaws of the figure of
the model in this pose by taking your photo straight forward with the toes
stretched forward.

WIDELY SPREAD LEGS

This pose is somewhat vulgar and is
mostly suitable for teenager girls. It's
better to show pants or shorts, or to cover
the crotch of the model with some sort of
obstacle or an object.

ONE KNEE IS RAISED ABOVE THE

OTHER
This pose has many variations. In any case,
if one knee of the model is higher than the
other, it shows her activeness, wish to act
and uninhibited nature. You can curve the
waist, band the head on the side, and then
the pose will become more demonstrative,
but will not lose its dynamic qualities.

ONE LEG IS STRETCHED OUT, THE OTHER IS BENT

In this pose it's not recommended to criss-cross the legs,
this is not harmonious and it visually shortens the legs
length. It is not recommended for short-legged models. If
you bend the leg more, it will tell us about a good physical
form of the model. The classical pose is for a beach scene.

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 BENT LEGS MAKE A CLOSED OUTLINE/PATTERN
This pose allows us to hide the flaws of the figure and is perfect for short-
legged models or models with stout legs. The attention of the viewer is not
concentrated on the figure of the model due to the composition of the pose.
It is suitable for practically any models.

ONE KNEE OVER THE

OTHER
This is one of the most
photogenic and flirty poses.
You can criss-cross the legs,
and the model can be
sitting on the floor or on
the chair, the lower leg can
be lowered down, and the
legs can be criss-crossed.

LEGS CRISS-CROSSED AND STRETCHED OUT

If you take a picture of the model in this pose straight forward or from an
angle a little bit high above, the legs will be made visually very long.
Another way to do it is to make the model sit on her legs. In this way the
model will demonstrate modesty and shyness.

LEGS ARE BENT OR PRESSED UNDER

THE BODY
This pose overall expresses modesty and
the romantic nature of the model. If the
model is holding on to the legs with the
arms, this is usually perceived as a sign
that the model is completely into herself,
and is led by the power of emotions. It's an
excellent position to demonstrate the legs.

LEGS ARE TOGETHER, AND BENT IN

THE KNEES
Standing in this pose it's better to turn
sideways towards the photographer, this
will help to avoid a visual distortion of the
legs proportions. If the arms are placed on the knees, the viewer will
perceive the model as a perfectionist. You can make the pose strained,
making the model sit on the end of the chair.

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 BENT LEG IN THE KNEE THAT IS STRETCHED TO THE SIDE
This is a playful and a silly pose, where the model is led by emotions and
feelings. This pose might not be suitable for the model, and it might look
unnaturally, so you should be using it with caution.

LYING DOWN MODEL

STRAIGHT BODY
The main purpose of this pose is when the model is just lying
down on the back, or on the stomach, and it demonstrates a
well-build model. Here you have to accentuate the length of the
legs. When you are taking pictures of this model, it's better to
choose such an angle, where the whole model can be seen
completely.

BOTH LEGS ARE RAISED UP

This gives the model a playful,
not serious character, and it reminds you of a child, who is playing with his
legs in the air. You could make successful photos that are built on the
conflict of playfulness of the pose and a serious task, where a woman in a
business suit is having this pose, and at the same time is working on her
laptop. The pose looks better when the legs are criss-crossed in the ankles
or if the toes are joint.

THE LEGS ARE RAISED UP AND ARE

HOLDING ONTO AN OBJECT
The model in this pose is perceived as a
resting optimist, probably, knowing what she is worth or too ambitious.
Naturally it demonstrates the most sexual part of the female body (for many
men) – her legs. It is recommended for models with good looks.

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 ROTATIONAL POSE
The pose that becomes dynamic because of the body turning
and imitating movement is always photogenic. The figure of
the model becomes whole, because it has one axis, around
which there is an imaginary rotation.

INCLINED BODY
If a lying down
model inclines
her body, it's
naturally either made purposefully to look over the top, or it
could be a sort of fashion to hide the imperfections of the model's
body and to accentuate her advantageous sides. The pose is
clearly seducing and flirtatious, and it's suitable for almost any
model.

VERTICALLY STRETCHED OUT LEGS

The model in this pose is perceived as she is resting, and
having this rest that she deserves. Another meaning of this
pose is seduction, so this pose is quite erotic.

BENT KNEES THAT ARE RAISED UP

The poses where the knees are put together and raised up
transfer the feeling of comfort, self-sufficiency and cosiness.
The element of seduction is very strong here, that is brought
in by the raised legs. The body is demonstrated from its best
angles. The higher the legs are raised, the stronger is the
reason to seduce and attract.

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 HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN POSE FOR A PHOTO SESSION
A photographer or a model might get one main issue when they are doing a
photo shoot. It's not clear what to do, and how to stand in general, and what
to take pictures of. In this case you have to try to make up your own poses
by using the following approaches. Of course, every pose has to be natural,
so don't lose the natural character of the pose, no matter what you are
trying to do.
- bend what can be bent!
- stretch out your arms, legs and head to the maximum
- hold your body with your arms in different combinations
- stretch your thigh to the side
- rotate your arms back and forth
- stretch the leg far to the side or to the back
- bend the knees a little
- stretch one leg down or to the side
- place the legs and the arms on different levels
- while sitting raise one of the knees way up
- hang your body to the front
- make a closed outline with your legs or arms
- hang your body backwards
- connect different parts of the body in any possible combination
- place your arms on one of the parts of the body or an object
- criss-cross your legs and arms
- try to stretch the legs and the arms in different sides
- bend in your waste to the maximum
- bend your leg while standing and from the back
- unbend your fingers
- push your breasts to the front to the maximum
- hang off a support
- hold part of your body hanging
- hold yourself or something big with your hands

The second thing is to perform actions! Any actions, make it dramatic, emotional and moving. For example,
- imagine that you are walking on a tight rope – try to keep your balance!
- cover some parts of your body as if ashamed
- imagine that you are cold and show it!
- cover a part of your body with an object
- fix your hair style and makeup
- look out from something
- show that you are running away from something
- play on an imaginary violin. Or a trombone. Or another instrument.
- demonstrate undone buttons or fallen down shoulder-straps “by accident”
- turn around
- push or pull something imaginary
- show an animal – a cat, a tigress, or a gopher
- fix, pull, or take off the clothing, shoes, and accessories

Show a natural movement and don't strain it, and the pose will work out on its own!

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 MALE POSES FOR A PHOTO SHOOT
STANDING STRAIGHT AND PUTTING THE WEIGHT ON ONE OF THE
LEGS
This version of the pose is much more suitable, when the man is standing
with the weight on one of his legs. His arms can be shot in various ways –
they can be placed on his waist, criss-crossed on the chest, the thumbs could
be placed behind the belt, or he could be fixing his tie; his looks will usually
be very masculine. If the arms are nowhere to put, the model can be talking
on a cell phone.

STANDING STRAIGHT, WHERE THE

WEIGHT IS EQUALLY SPREAD
BETWEEN THE LEGS
You can place the legs together or spread
them wide apart. You could equally
distribute weight among the legs or
transfer it on one of the legs. If the legs are spread and the weight is equally
spread around them, you will get a clearly masculine pose, but the model
will look like there is another meaning to it, and as if the model is hiding an
uncertainty in it behind a front of strength. It's better to avoid this pose
when you are shooting a male model, unless you are going to change it in
some way.

STANDING AND ROTATING THE

THIGHS HALF-WAY, AND ROTATING
THE CHEST TOWARDS THE CAMERA
This pose shows the man's chest the best way, it also accentuates the
positive features of the model. Naturally, it's better to use the models that
have a well-developed figure and a wide chest here, otherwise the view will
be quite pathetic. If the model does not have a wide chest, he will be better
off standing sideways.

STANDING AND HOLDING

ONTO AN OBJECT
This pose is as suitable for male
models as for female models. It
gives a relaxed impression. But it
also may create a dynamic where
the man is sort of pushing himself away from the support object and
is going to move on from there. Another way to do it is to place a
bent leg on the support.

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 A COMPLETELY FEMININE POSE
Try to place the man in a female or a child position and
sometimes it brings unusual results. For example, the way we
are talking in the picture with the legs raised in the air. Here the
orientation is supposed to be a bit different, it will mostly show
your character as a funny and ironic man with a good sense of
humour.

SQUATTING
Sit your model squatting.
Depending on the position of
the legs and the arms this
pose will make the person look either tired or aggressive, depending on
the result that you are trying to achieve by your photo session.

SITTING WITH THE LEGS SPREAD

WIDELY
This is a typical male pose. The model can
either be resting, sitting back on the back
of the chair, or working, or making
gestures and showing aggression, but in
any way nobody will ever question its
masculine character. Another idea here is
to criss-cross the legs if the model is sitting on the floor.

SITTING DOWN WITH THE LEGS

TOGETHER
This pose is showing a waiting, resting
character and accentuates the romantic
side of the model. It will look great in the
pictures with nature.

IN MOVEMENT
Make your model busy with something/
For example, he can be tying the show
laces on the shoes. Or he can be brushing
hair. He could be flipping papers in the
folder. He could be observing or studying
something. This will make a great
dynamic photo.

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 POSES FOR PICTURES WITH COUPLES
The main idea here that should be used to express the feelings between the couple in photography is to show
the relationship between the people in the picture. Love, sex, deep feelings can be expressed if the people
take the correct pose or create a corresponding emotion. The latter is the easiest thing to do. Couples rarely
take pictures together if there is no relationship among them, it is enough for them to relax, and to
remember how much they love each other and smile. It doesn't matter if you are photographing a wedding,
an engagement, or just people who love each other – these poses will help you to transfer their relationship
feelings into your shots.

FACING THE CAMERA AND EMBRACING EACH OTHER

This pose has several variations. You could make the models stand face to
face with each other or place the male at the back (he is usually taller and
this positioning looks better), and place the female behind him. The male
can be embracing the female. Overall this will make a very romantic and
sensual pose.

STANDING WITH THEIR

BACKS TO EACH OTHER
The models can stand with
their backs to each other in
a mirror-like way. This is,
by the way, an excellent
approach to place the man
and the woman as if
reflecting each other.

ONE PERSON SIDEWAYS

This is an unusual pose to have one person facing sideways and the other
one facing straight forward. You can imitate a conversation, where the
woman is telling something to the man.

ONE PERSON IS STANDING WITH THE

BACK TO THE CAMERA
This is another unusual pose for your
photo session – you have to place one
person with the back to the camera and it
will attract the attention to the photograph
right away. Try both ways, when the man is
facing the camera or the woman facing the
camera. It's better to have the person
facing the camera having some sort of
emotion on the face, at least smiling.

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 BOTH PEOPLE SIDEWAYS, EMBRACING EACH OTHER
This is another way to show the relationship between the
couple. The people in the photo can be standing close to each
other or otherwise at the distance of stretched arms. This is,
by the way, one of the ways to picture a wedding. If the
woman is embracing the man on his neck, this is going to look
very photogenical. Either zoomed or wider shoots will do.

A PORTRAIT OF THE COUPLE IN YIN AND YANG STYLE

This is a very unusual portrait. Just place the couple with their faces up
looking at each other and take a picture from above. This picture will be
embellish any photo album.

THE MAN HOLDING THE WOMAN IN THE ARMS

This pose is a bit trite and
typical, but you can make
it a bit varied, by adding
an unusual facial
expression. Maybe in this
picture the couple could
show not love but
perplexity.

LYING DOWN
The easiest way to show sex or a very strong passion is to
make the couple lie down and let them kiss each other

A JOINT ACTION
And, finally, a standard piece of advice – offer your couple to
do something together, this will give you an opportunity to
make the most unusual and lively pictures.

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 THANK YOU FOR READING
THIS GUIDE!
Coming soon:
Maternity photography poses
Infant photography poses
wedding photography poses
glamour photography poses
boudoir photography poses
outdoor photography poses
group photography poses
family photography poses

And much, much more!

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