A Few Posing Tips for New Models

One thing that amazes me after more than 35 years as a professional photographer is how many new models don’t know some of the basic rules of posing.  What amazes me even more is how many photographers don’t correct them!

Now, don’t misunderstand me. Nobody expects you to walk into your first photo shoot knowing how to pose like you’ve been doing it for twenty years. That’s part of the photographer’s job: helping you look your best.  But there are a few simple things you can practice that will make a HUGE difference in your photographs.  And no, you don’t need to spend six months studying in front of a mirror. Although a little mirror time certainly doesn’t hurt!

1. Put a Little Bend in Those Joints

One of my favorite rules of thumb when photographing models is simple: Break your joints!  No, not literally. Good grief, I don’t need the medical bills!  I’m talking about adding a slight bend to your elbows, wrists, knees, neck, and waist.

When everything is perfectly straight, a pose can look stiff and unnatural. A small bend creates angles, curves, and movement that make the photograph much more interesting and pleasing to the eye.  Try standing in front of a mirror with your arms straight down at your sides. Now shift your weight onto one leg, bend the other knee slightly, and relax one elbow.  See the difference?  If you are standing, you almost always want to hip-out to one side, breaking at the waist.

Of course, there are exceptions. Sometimes a perfectly straight line is exactly what we’re looking for artistically. But for new models, a little bend is a great place to start.

2. Triangles, Triangles, TRIANGLES!

Want to know one of the simplest tricks for creating a great looking pose?  Make triangles!  (Again, this is a great posing tool, not a requirement)

Seriously. Once you start looking for them, you’ll see triangles everywhere in professional modeling photographs.  And no, I’m not suggesting you take a geometry class before your next photo shoot! Triangles create interesting shapes, add dimension, and help keep your poses from looking stiff or flat.  Here are a few examples.

Leaning on your arm: If you’re sitting on your hip and supporting yourself with one arm, move that arm slightly away from your body. Keep your shoulder relaxed and down. The space between your arm, torso, and the surface you’re leaning on creates a triangle.  (Here’s another little trick: Turn your hand toward the photographer. It makes it harder to lock your elbow and helps keep that nice bend in your arm.  And on this pose – watch your shoulder, it’s going to want to sneak back up.)

Posing against a wall: Try raising one knee against the wall, then angle your foot backward. Your bent leg creates a beautiful triangular shape instead of simply looking like you’re standing there with your knee in the air.

Arms above your head: Rather than stretching both arms straight up, bend your elbows and create triangles with your arms. You can even make different-sized triangles by positioning your arms at different angles.

Here’s the important part: The triangle doesn’t always have to be formed by your body alone. Sometimes it’s the empty space between your arm and waist, or between your legs, that makes the pose interesting.  Photographers call that negative space, and it can make an enormous difference in how a photograph looks.

Next time you’re looking through a fashion magazine, pay attention to how models position their arms and legs.  I bet you’ll start seeing triangles everywhere!

And once you see them, you can’t UNSEE them! 😂

3. Turn Your Body Slightly Away From the Camera

Unless we’re deliberately creating a strong, symmetrical pose, I rarely photograph someone standing perfectly square to the camera. In fact, when I’m photographing corporate events or parties, one of the first things I tell people is to turn about 45 degrees instead of standing straight toward the camera.

Why?

Because turning your body slightly creates depth and usually gives the photograph a more flattering shape.  Try turning your shoulders or hips about 30 to 45 degrees away from the camera while keeping your face turned toward the lens.  You don’t have to twist yourself into a pretzel. A small adjustment can make a big difference.  And remember, your shoulders and hips don’t always have to point in the same direction. Playing with those angles can create some beautiful poses.

4. Don’t Hyperextend Your Arms and Legs

This is one I see far too often.  A model extends an arm, locks the elbow, and suddenly the pose looks uncomfortable.  And if it looks uncomfortable, chances are it doesn’t photograph particularly well. 

Instead, keep a little softness in your joints. You can extend an arm or leg without locking it completely.  The goal is to create elegant lines, not demonstrate how far your elbow can bend backward! There are certainly times when strong, straight limbs work beautifully, particularly in fashion photography. But those poses should be intentional.

5. RELAX THOSE SHOULDERS!

Oh, this one drives me crazy!  When people get nervous in front of a camera, their shoulders have a tendency to creep upward.  Before long, their neck disappears, and their head looks like it’s trying to hide between their shoulders.

Here’s a little experiment.  Put a chair in front of a mirror, turn sideways, and lean on the chair with one arm.  Now look at your reflection.  If you see your eyes, your nose, and then a shoulder practically touching your ear, we’ve got a problem!  Relax your shoulders. Let them drop naturally.  This is especially important when you’re leaning on your arms, resting your chin on your hands, or posing while seated.

A relaxed shoulder can make your neck look longer and your entire pose more graceful.  And trust me, nobody wants to look like a turtle retreating into its shell.

6. Point Those Toes!

Here’s a simple trick that can make your legs appear longer and create beautiful lines in your photographs.  Point your toes when your feet aren’t supporting your weight.

Whether you’re sitting, reclining, or posing with one leg extended, a pointed foot can continue the line of your leg and make the pose look more elegant.  And please, don’t curl your toes around a rock!  You’re not a squirrel. You don’t need to cling to everything you touch!  I’ve photographed models sitting on rocks, leaning against trees, and posing in all sorts of unusual places. One thing I always watch is what their hands and feet are doing.  Those little details matter.

A beautifully positioned model with awkward hands or curled toes can turn a wonderful photograph into something that just looks… odd.

Practice Makes a Difference: Posing Tips for Beginner Models

Here’s something I tell new models: practice posing in front of a mirror.  Watch how your body changes when you shift your weight, bend an elbow, push that hip out, turn your shoulders, or tilt your head. Practice again and again. Then close your eyes and try it! Muscle memory is a BIG thing for models. Eventually, you want posing to become second nature. You should be able to be at a party, spot a photographer walking by, and automatically snap into a GREAT pose!

Look at photographs you admire and try to understand what makes the poses work.  Don’t just copy them. Learn from them.  And when you’re working with a photographer, don’t be afraid to ask for direction.  A good photographer should be watching the details you can’t see.

After all, you’re on one side of the camera, and we’re on the other!

Behind the Lens with Brody Hall

I’ve worked with experienced professional models, people building their very first portfolios, and plenty of people who were convinced they couldn’t pose to save their lives.  Here’s what I’ve learned: Good posing isn’t about memorizing fifty different positions. It’s about learning how your body looks in front of a camera.  And just as importantly, it’s about working with a photographer who knows how to help you.

Sometimes the difference between an average photograph and an amazing one is nothing more than turning your shoulders a few inches, relaxing your hand, or bending a knee.  Little adjustments. Big differences.  And remember, these are guidelines, not commandments carved into stone. Some of my favorite photographs have come from breaking the rules!

If you’re an aspiring model in Murfreesboro, Nashville, or anywhere in Middle Tennessee and you’re ready to start building your portfolio, I’d love to work with you.  Just remember one thing…

No clinging to rocks like a squirrel!

Brody Hall Photography — www.brodyhall.com