Posing tips for powerful yet casual

[Equilibrium8]

Hi all. I'm looking for advice on posing and setting a scene.
I'll be doing a photo shoot for a business coach soon.
We discussed it and will be going for a balance between a formal powerful look but casual enough as to keep a personal feel.
Does anybody have any posing/scene tips?

[Biomech]

I'd suggest, if you can, getting the book "What Every Body is Saying" by some ex-CIA bloke (forget his name). If you can have a flick through or get it from the library, it will point out common "power" poses and little body language things that might be useful

[Durnik20]

Check out the work of Clay Enos, very good photographer and a lot of his work is done to make people look powerful or heroic. His advice that I have taken to heart for some really good shots has been to shoot with an upward angle, taller people come of as stronger. Also have them looking above the lens, as if seeing something far away. If you can get him to listen make sure that hes wearing the right color's, it really does make that much difference.

Those are very basic tips, and you should really consider getting some books on body language.

[Rentham]

Originally Posted by Durnik20

shoot with an upward angle, taller people come of as stronger. Also have them looking above the lens, as if seeing something far away.

This is especially effective when shooting wide angle. The person becomes dominant in the frame, taking on a bit of a super hero look because of the perspective. Add some dramatic lighting and you have the makings for a cool portrait. Shooting down on guys makes them look submissive, IMO.

[SL-90]

Originally Posted by Biomech

I'd suggest, if you can, getting the book "What Every Body is Saying" by some ex-CIA bloke (forget his name). If you can have a flick through or get it from the library, it will point out common "power" poses and little body language things that might be useful

I read that at uni, good stuff. You should definitely take a look at that.