10 Posing Tips For Women
There’s a common feeling on set if you’re new to photoshoots - it’s anxiety. I hear the same comments time after time.. ‘I never look good in photos’, ‘I’m so awkward in front of the camera’, ‘I never know what to do!’ Perhaps you may have said similar words yourself.
After hearing these same sentiments time and time again from women, I decided it was time to create a list of basic posing tips to make your feel more comfortable and prepared for your next photoshoot. The tips are simple, and help make a big difference in how we look and feel! After reading these tips, I suggest you take some time to practice in the mirror, have a friend take your picture and give you feedback, and then apply them the next time you have your photo taken.. which I’m sure, is soon!
Breath and Relax
Before a photoshoot we have the tendency to be a little bit nervous and we have the tendency to hold a lot of tension in our lips, eyes, neck, shoulders, and arms. Take a few minutes before to take a few deep breaths. Inhale through your nose, and exhale through your mouth. Set your phone timer for 3 minutes, close your eyes, and relax. This will help you feel more relaxed, and your pictures will show a more comfortable you!
Have Good Posture
By standing and sitting with poor posture, we make ourselves not only look frumpy and larger than we are, but it also gives off an uncomfortable vibe. While in your photoshoot, think about growing tall through your spine, as though there is a string attached to the back of your head and pulling you upwards. Also consider rolling your shoulders down and back, and pulling your belly button in toward the spine will help support your back and posture.
Chin Forward and Down
It’s very common for me to give this suggestion to clients during a photoshoot. It’s normal to be a bit nervous in front of the camera, and we then have a tendency to pull our heads back which creates an unflattering look to our appearance. Be sure to bring your chin forward, and angle the chin down slightly to give your jawline a nice angle, and this will also show off your bone structure.
Stand With Your Weight On Your Back Leg
Standing square to the camera has the tendency to look a little uncomfortable. When we start moving our weight onto one leg, it can quickly change the energy of the pose to being more at ease and flattering. By standing with our weight on our back leg, and having our other leg in front, highlights our feminine curves and creates a beautiful, flattering silhouette.
Stand On Your Tippy Toes
There’s a reason we wear high heels… It not only elongates our legs and body, but it also slims us out. If you’re doing a few shots in sneakers, barefoot, sandals, or any type of flat, I suggest standing on your tippy toes. This will do the exact same thing that high heels do for our bodies.
Stand On A 45 Degree Angle
Standing square on to the camera can be unflattering depending on what we’re wearing. Play with turning your body on a 45 degree angle. This will quickly give your body a more flattering shape, and it will also highlight our beautiful curves the way we want to.
Move Your Arms
Once you’re warmed up, and playing with the posing options I’ve listed above. It’s time to have a little fun and move your arms off of your body. Start by creating shapes with your arms. Bring one up to the waist, or both, have one arm in front and the other behind, hold your arms in front, or even try bringing your arms up overhead!
Tilt Your Head
Around 1% or less of our population is perfectly symmetrical. By tilting or inclining our head to either direction, we can easily mask any asymmetry. Experiment in the mirror before your photoshoot to see if there’s a side your prefer. I typically like to try inclining my head to the right and then the left best!
Move Your Body
Don’t be shy, try some moving shots! By moving and swaying our bodies, it brings life to the photo and it can also be a lot of fun! I suggest swaying your body side to side slowly, and you can also try stepping in and out of frame to make it look like you’re walking. Tip - try looking off camera to make it look more candid.
Laugh
Probably my most favourite tip of all! Try fake laughing. This almost always ends up with a real laugh. By laughing we relax our bodies, and look more at ease. These tend to be the favourite of the shoot because you look happy and natural.
Thank you to Model Maygen Kardash for lending her posing abilities to this project. For more on Maygen, follow her on instagram @sneaksandlipstick, and her blog www.sneakersandlipstick.com.
If you are serious about getting into the modelling industry it is very important to have your own portfolio. Check out these fashion portfolios for some inspiration.
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