Posing is a performance and an art that can be difficult to master.
However, as a photographer knowing how to pose your model is crucial because it can make the difference between producing stunning imagery for a marketing campaign or a website and creating dull and flat photos that struggle to capture the viewer’s attention.
Don’t have a lot of experience and would love to learn more?
Whether you’re a photographer in need of some inspiration and guidance to ensure the success of a campaign or a model looking to pose for a photographer, this post will help you turn your studio photos into unique and powerful imagery.
Introduce Yourself to Your Model
Before you jump into the photoshoot, we’d recommend that you introduce yourself to the model, take the time to interact with them, and get to know them. You should also explain your plan for the session and give them an idea of what you would like them to do during the shoot.
Besides, you can offer tea, juice, or snacks to make them feel at home.
During the session, make sure to compliment them to boost their confidence and make your model as comfortable as you can by talking to them about life, fun things, and even making jokes (if you can!).
This will help break the ice, put everyone at ease and ensure you get the best results.
Give the Model Clear Directions
As a photographer, you need to guide your model and be specific with your instructions. In fact, you should strive to act like a director on the set of a movie production.
Start with simple poses and implement small changes. For instance, ask your model to tuck their hair behind their ear, reach for their earring, fix their dress, or run their fingers through their hair, and as they’re moving, snap a few action shots.
This will keep them busy, prevent them from focusing on the camera, or posing and produce really natural and authentic motion shots.
Note that it’s also important not to overwhelm your model with instructions and let them be themselves. The key is to give them some instructions, let them play around, be themselves and see where it takes you.
Change Angles and Perspectives
Rather than having your model change positions the whole time, you can also move around the model and play with angles and perspectives. For instance, have the model stay still, facing sideways, and take a few shots from different angles.
This will add variety to your set of images and tremendously enhance some of your shots. Sometimes, all it takes is a slight shift in your viewpoint up, right, or left to completely change the picture’s mood, capture different emotions, and enhance the final results.
Also, instead of asking them to do many different poses, you can shoot different body parts such as face shots, full-body shots, or ¾ body shots.
Be the Model
You might be an introvert, and you might hate posing in front of a camera. We get it!
But the thing is, if you do it yourself, you’ll be able to relate to your model better and connect with them on a deeper level while becoming better at giving them directions.
Therefore, practice poses, and rather than telling your model what to do, show them what you’re expecting them to do. This way, you’ll get a better outcome;)
And as always, remember to have fun while shooting your model. The more relaxed you are, the more comfortable your model will be and the easier it will be to capture that one-of-a-kind shot 😉
If you want to learn more tricks about studio photography, read our latest blog on candid photography and how to perfect it.
