How to Pose for a Photograph

Studies of common sensory have shown that as the festivity of holidays increases, the rate of photography follows a positive correlation.

Following is an introduction to posing for said photographs.  Each pose is engineered to be figure friendly.  Meaning, they shed the 10 lbs that camera flashes tend to adhere.  So charge your battery and clean off your memory card.  You and your holiday frock are going to look pretty as postcards this year.

one. tall elegance

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Ease and effortless efficiency combine to create this classic pose.  First, imagine there is silken cord suspended above your pretty head.  Your elegant neck extends long while your shoulders drop away from your ears.  Arch your back slightly bringing your chest forward and those arm rotators back.   Finally tuck in your tummy, but stop before you cross into visible ribs. 

two. hands on hips + crossed ankles

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Hands on Hips: Holding the arms away from the body keeps upper arm fleshies from flattening.  Placement of the hands will also draw attention back to a narrow waist or trim little hip. If you choose to execute this pose with only one arm, make sure to employ the arm angled toward the camera lens.

Other add-ons 

Waist Rotation: Turn your shoulders three-quarters toward the lens, rotating from your now visually narrowed waist. 

Asymmetry:  Doing something slightly different with each side of your figure will make your shot more interesting. Asymmetry can sprout from seeds as simple as a tilted hip, a dipping shoulder, or leg bent slightly more than the other.

Ankles Crossed: Crossing one foot in front of the other keeps your pose playful.  It reports the status: "ready to stay a while, weight shifting to accommodate lingering." Either cross both feet flat on the ground for a lengthening effect, or advance your posing prowess by balancing the crossed foot on the toe.

three. pointed toe + pocketed hands

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Point & Turn: 

Like a prima ballerina, point and spin your front toe to add inches faster than toe slippers. Point your piggies toward the camera then rotate a quarter set of degrees away from your back foot (where the majority of your weight has been planted.)  Unlocking your knees and shifting your weight to the posterior heel will keep you from looking stiff.  

Hands in Pocket:  unless you promenading in a full skirt with ample pockets, it's better to hint at hands in the pocket via thumbs or finger tips, rather than cramming your digits into a too tiny pant space.

four. profile > over the shoulder

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Profile: 

This position showcases the full silhouette, offering a two-dimensional image more curves and less width. Start by placing your feet perpendicular to the camera's gaze.  Then give your neck a slight spin toward the shutter.  For optimal results, angle your head slightly down and point your nose away from the camera.  This will sculpt those neck muscles and allow you to showcase rather than flatten facial angles.  Experiment with tilting your face a little up or a touch down, a little left or to the right, but keep your gaze on that camera.

 

Advanced

Over the Shoulder:

Intermediate and above models can rotate their walkers an additional quarter set of degrees so that their back and shoulders are angled toward the photographer.  (This is a great pose if you’ve recently completed many sets of squats and upright rows.)  The head is then rotated into a profile view.  Turn your best side towards the photographer and smile coyly.  

five. seated

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Sitting:
Unless you see multiple chins as a sign of financial affluence, when cameras emerge, ensure that the lens never descends below your own line of sight.  When seated, lean fearlessly in towards the camera.  Very few cameras have been shown to have a biting disposition.

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Sitting Continued:
Although your shoulders are advancing forward, your weight should stay on your seat.  This will keep your thighs from squishy, squishing unnaturally.  And unless you aim to exhibit your inner dominatrix, keep your knees together.  The feet can be slung apart, crossed at the ankle, draped to the side, but the knees...together.

freestyle extras

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Pigeon Toe:  

Commonly paired with eyes cast down, this pose adds an element of fragility.  It's slightly awkward and ingenue.

Grip:  

If you're wondering what to do with your hands, hold on.  Grip the bundle of your scarf, your jacket lapels, or other available fashion ornamentation.  A soft grip brings emphasis to individual elements and depending on the rest of your pose composition can convey any disposition from shy to confident.

Hands Above:
Whether fidgeting with hair locks or petting the neck, this pose has the same slenderizing effect as hands on hip but adds a coy, indirect, feminine appeal.

Hop, Skip, Spin:

Let yourself feel pretty and you will look pretty.

Jolly photography developments to you and your kin!

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