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Hello all...Welcome to 'Posing Styles and Themes'. Here I will give you the basic styles of posing ( from sexy to classy, from urban to worried), everything is here, the basic faces you should know for the modelling industry, some cool themes you can try and most importantly killing the nerves ( because everything shows in pictures).
Posing Style
Basic Posing tips.
- Breathe - NEVER EVER HOLD YOUR BREATH IN. Holding your breath can make a picture look tensed up instead of natural. Make sure you breathing is right at all times.
- Limbs- make sure to differentiate your arms and legs with asymmetrical poses. If you have one arm by your side make sure the other is bent.Continue the asymmetry to your legs. If one leg is locked straight, give the other leg a casual bend.
- Posture- Posture one of the key elements in posing. Bad posture is a harmful flaw for a model. Slouching tends to make your stomach look bigger and is just not good for a picture. Learn to sit your your back straight up, and remember to flex your stomach muscles, shoulders pulled slightly back. Despite your shape or size the abdomen will appear to be toned.
- Camera- A great model never ever needs to look straight into the lens, unless required to do so. You can look slightly to the left, with your head just a little tilted. In lots of cases your head can remain in one spot while the eyes do all the work. Head and eye positions, together with personal facial expressions can do wonders to a picture.
- Cleavage- Any model with any breast size can make them look fuller/ maximize them. Two basic poses- the back-ward or forward lean. When leaning forward, either bring your arms together at your waist, keep your arms straight at the elbows and clasp your hands together below your waist, or simply cross your arms. When leaning backward, raise your arms about your shoulders and head, keep your arms apart, and always slouch for the best cleavage results.
- Sitting poses- sitting poses are difficult to do because posture in these shots are critical. If you are sitting it's important to put your weight on one thigh. This pose gives you a slimming effect that you don't want to miss out on, rather then distributing all your weight onto both thighs, the "One Thigh Weight" gives you a better figure and posture.
- Smile- If you have a lovely set of teeth, show it BUT NOT ALL the time!!! Agents and talent searchers will not only notice your smile but they will think that you are not versatile. Try varying you expressions, from a cheeky smile, to a cute frown, a friendly laugh or even an edgy scowl. All your pictures do not need to have a smile, again it depends on the theme and/or what the photographer wants out of the pictures.
- Lifestyle Pose- The Lifestyle pose has to do with your daily movements and facial expressions which you use, eg. love, anger, sadness, hope. To succeed at the lifestyle pose each model must be able to do all these movements and poses.
- Movement Pose- This pose is usually used in advertising where they capture the model running or jumping, etc.. The model must be versatile and be able to smile and laugh during these takes.
- Portrait- Portrait pictures are solely of the face and require the model to have a genuine sweet smile, relaxed pose and modest make-up. Make sure to drink at least 8-10 glasses of water before having these shots taken and make sure you pay close attention to your skin.
- Body posing- Body poses are full length pictures of the model. Models should have asymmetrical poses and shifting the weight from one side to the next. Although facial expressions are not really required a model can feel more comfortable doing facial expressions and putting yourself into character.
TAKE THESE SIMPLE MODELLING POSES AND BLOW YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER AWAY. REMEMBER THAT ALL MODELS HAVE THE ABILITY TO MAKE GREAT SHOTS. FOCUS ON YOUR POSTURE, ATTITUDE AND FACIAL EXPRESSIONS AND YOU ARE SURE TO NOT GO WRONG IN ANYWAY.
Preparing for Your Model Photo Shoot
Don't wait until the last minute
You'll want to start preparing for your model photo session before the day of the photo shoot. The following paragraphs contain some things you'll want to do and some things to avoid to have a more successful photo shoot.
Eating & Exercise habits
I know you'll be excited and you'll want to be in the best shape for your session and this is important. But, don't overdo it! Diet and exercise should be done on a consistant basis and not on a binge just because you have a photo shoot this weekend.
If you are following an exercise and diet program, just continue as you normally would up until and on the day of the shoot.
Now, if your diet consists mainly of hamburgers, hot dogs, bread and sugar, I wouldn't suggest eating much of this starting a few days before your model shoot. I don't suggest eating like this anyhow for health reasons.
Always be sensible about your diet and exercise habits and you should be fine for your upcoming model photo shoot.
Avoid new makeup
No matter what the temptation, stay away from new makeup and skin care products just before a photo shoot. You could be in for a big, unwanted surprise by having a reaction to these new experiments. Just stay with what you know works for you.
Model posing ideas
You should have already been doing this long before but look through some of the major fashion mags like Vogue, Teen, etc. to look at poses and to get new ideas.
When looking through these magazines, notice how the model is positioned, what clothing she's wearing, background, and lighting (flat & bright or more artistic & dark).
Think of ways to improve the pose by changing outfits, lighting, expression, etc.
Practice the pose in the mirror until you can make it your own.
This is a teriffic way to learn how to pose. I may devote a chapter to posing in a future writing.
Before you go to the model shoot
To be further prepared to shoot professional model photos, there are a few things you will need to do the night before.
Body hair - Without using wax, remove any body hair you don't want to show in your model photos. The reason not to use wax is that you may have red skin in those places when you go to the session.
Nails - As stated in the wardrobe checklist you'll want your nails to look their best for the photo session. Do a complete manicure and pedicure the night before your model shoot. DO NOT use red or any other color polish on your fingernails or toenails, only clear.
Skin Care - Be sure to remove any dead skin you have and use a good moisturizer to clean and soften your skin.
What to pack for your model shoot
Again, especially pack what the client or photographer wants you to bring and the other items discussed in the wardrobe checklist .
Be Well-Rested
Again, I know you will be excited and geared up the night before the model shoot but be sure to get plenty of rest. Go to bed early even if you don't feel you can sleep. The rest will do you good and you'll be more refreshed the day of the photo session.
Bob Pardue is a professional stock and model photographer located in the Southeastern USA. You can view some of his work and read other interesting model tips by visiting www.bobpardue.com
