Female Poses: 21 Posing Ideas to Get You Started Photographing Women

Looking for some female poses to use during your next photoshoot? Want to pose women like a pro?

Below, I’ll share 21 of my favorite poses. If you ever run out of ideas, have a creativity rut, or simply need some guidance when shooting female subjects, whip out this article; feel free to use it as your personal posing cheat sheet, even in the middle of a shoot.

(In fact, many pro photographers use a “cheat sheet” technique before and during a photoshoot, so you’ll be in good company!)

Note that the poses in this article are meant as starting points; you can absolutely modify them depending on your model’s comfort level. So before using a complex pose, I’d advise you to talk with your subject, especially if they’re less experienced. Perhaps you can develop an easier version of the pose – that way, you get the shot you’re after, and your model still has a great time.

Without further ado, let’s look at the 21 female poses to take your portraits to the next level!

1. Over the shoulder

Here’s a very simple portrait pose to start with. Have the model turn away from you so that her shoulder is prominent in the frame. Then ask her to look back at the camera.

You can experiment with different angles; try shooting from slightly to the right or left, as well as slightly above her face. This is a classic female pose and one that works great in most situations.

2. Hands on face

If you’re after a more intense, glamour-type image, try this pose. Start by having your model put one hand against her face, while the other hand rests lightly on her jawbone. Ask her to stare straight into the lens.

To take this pose up a notch, have the model play around with her hands. She can try different positions around her head or face. Keep in mind, though: No flat palms, and the hands should only show their sides!

3. Resting on a diagonal

Want to create dynamic portrait compositions? Try incorporating diagonals into your poses, which act as leading lines and can create lots of visual interest.

For instance, find a railing and ask your model to lean against it. If no slanted surfaces are available, you can always create one yourself through a little camera trickery: have your model put her arms on a flat surface, then tilt your camera until you achieve the effect you’re after!

4. Sitting with elbows on knees

Here’s a really nice and lovely female pose, where the model sits on a chair, stool, or bench. She should lean forward, elbows on her knees (and the knees should touch one another).

Shoot slightly from above for the most flattering result. You can experiment with different hand positions, but make sure the focus remains on your model’s face.

5. Lying against the ground, hand on head

This one’s pretty easy to pull off, so it works well with less comfortable subjects (assuming they’re comfortable lying on the ground, that is!).

Simply ask your model to lie on her side, facing the camera, with her hand propping up her head. I recommend letting her elbow go past her head. Test out other head turns for a more mysterious vibe.

Also, make sure that you get down low – you should take your shot from ground level or just above. To add a little extra spice, try shooting through a foreground object, such as grass.

6. Lying in the grass, facing forward

This pose is a variation of the one I shared above. Instead of asking your model to lie parallel to the camera, ask her to face forward at a slight angle. You want to be able to see her feet.

Ask her to prop herself up using her elbows, though you can experiment with different hand positions (for instance, she can try resting both hands against the ground).

This one works very well outdoors – on the grass, in a wildflower meadow, etc. But as with the previous pose, make sure you get down low so you’re on your subject’s level. That way, you’ll be able to capture a suitably intimate perspective.

7. Lying on back, parallel to the camera

Here’s a basic, easy pose, one that works for beginners, but looks absolutely stunning on pretty much anyone.

Just ask your model to lie on her back, parallel to the camera. Have her turn her head to face you. You can test out different hand positions, though the one shown in the example above is a great starting point. Also, watch her hair – you want it to be arranged nicely – and make sure her head turn looks natural.

Get down and shoot from ground level. Then move gradually around the model while taking photos. You can even try a few from directly overhead for an unusual perspective.

8. Lying on back, perpendicular to the camera

This female pose is pretty easy to pull off, even for beginner subjects, but it’s on the glamorous side, so I don’t recommend using it for a standard portrait session.

Here, you ask your subject to lie with her head toward the camera, feet pointed away (though her body should be angled slightly to the side). Try different hand and leg positioning – for instance, ask her to tuck in her legs, lay them flat, etc.

Make sure you get eye contact, and be sure to focus on your model’s eyes!

9. Lying face down, head toward the camera

Here’s a really lovely pose, one that works well in different settings, no matter the surface. Your model could lie on a bed, on the ground, in the grass, or on a sandy beach; the key is that she is face down, but with her legs up in the air and her head pointed toward the camera.

Make sure to shoot from a very low angle and nail focus on her eyes.

10. Sitting parallel to the camera, hand on knee

This is another pose that’s easy to do but looks absolutely gorgeous.

Just ask your subject to sit parallel to the camera with one knee up, her weight resting on her back arm. You can experiment with different positions for the other arm/hand, and ask her to tilt her head in different directions: down, toward the camera, away from the camera, and more.

11. Sitting with hands around ankles

Here’s another simple and friendly pose for a model sitting on the ground. Ask her to cross one leg while tucking the other under her body. Make sure she faces the camera with her hands around her ankles.

Try different camera angles, though I recommend crouching down to start (eye-level portraits generally look great).

12. Sitting with back arched

If you’re after a more glamorous pose, this is a great option, and it does a nice job of demonstrating a model’s physique.

Ask your subject to sit down parallel to the camera, with her legs pointed forward and her arms behind. Her back should arch slightly upward.

Try different head positions: back, facing slightly forward, facing the camera. And work with different leg positions, too.

If you’re after an especially striking image, position your model in front of the sun, then capture a well-defined silhouette.

13. Standing with hand on hip

This is a simple and casual-looking pose, perfect for pretty much any situation.

Ask your model to stand with one hand on her hip. She should shift her weight so her body appears slightly s-shaped, and the other hand can sit in a number of different places: her hair, her face, or across her chest.

Your model can have fun experimenting with different head turns. Also, feel free to test out other hand positions.

14. Standing with hands in pockets

This one’s amazingly simple but looks super elegant.

Ask your model to start by facing the camera, then have her put one leg out in front and angle her body slightly to the side. She should put her hands in her back pockets (though you can try the front pockets, too).

You can also try different head turns as well as different camera angles for a unique perspective.

15. Leaning forward

This one is a glamour classic. Have your model lean slightly forward, while keeping her body generally perpendicular to the camera.

You can try out different hand positions and head turns; you might also consider shooting from different angles.

16. Hands above the head

Here’s another glamorous, slightly sensual pose. Ask your model to hold her hands above her head (one hand can clasp the other wrist).

You can do this one standing up, though it also works with the model lying down (you just have to find a high vantage point to shoot from).

17. Standing with hands on hips

Full-body poses can be pretty tough, but this one offers a good starting point. Have your model stand with her feet together, one slightly in front of the other, and her weight on one leg.

Her hands will look good on her hips, though you can ask her to put them above her head, in her hair, and more. Also prompt her to change head and eye directions to create interesting variations on this pose.

18. Leaning back against a wall

If you’re looking for a more relaxed, casual pose, why not ask your model to lean against an object?

I’d recommend having her put her back against a wall, though she should be standing relatively upright. Ask her to angle her body slightly toward the camera and cross her arms over her chest (though other hand positions can work well, too).

She might also experiment with resting her foot against the wall.

19. Standing in an s-shape

The s-shape is a classic women’s pose, though it can be a bit tough to get right, especially when you’re doing full-body portraits.

The posing guidelines are simple: Your model should shift her body into an s-shape (ask her to put her weight on one foot and lean her hip into it), and her hands should be relaxed. You can test out different hand positions – in fact, the next pose on this list offers a nice variation. Also test out different leg positions (for instance, she can raise one leg off the ground, bend her knee, etc.).

20. One hand on the hip, one hand behind the head

Here’s an exquisite pose for slightly more glamorous shots, though many variations are possible.

Start by asking your model to shift her weight for an s-curve. She should face the camera, with one hand on her hip and the other behind her head.

For the best posture, ask her to slowly move her hands and constantly twist her body. When you see a good variant, ask her to hold still while you take some pictures. Repeat for a full set.

21. Turned away but looking back over the shoulder

Here’s your last pose for photographing women, and it’s absolutely romantic and delicate. It’s popular for glamour and boudoir, especially when your subject has a bare back, though you can always add clothes for a more classical look.

You’ll need to have a cloth of some sort, but anything will work, even a curtain. Ask her to wrap it around her waist and hold it in place while turning her head back over her shoulder. You might consider experimenting with different head positions: her nose parallel to the camera and her eyes down for a more subdued look, or a stronger head turn and clear eye contact for a bolder result.

21 female poses: final words

Well, you now have plenty of female poses to work with, and you’ve hopefully seen at least a couple that you liked.

And remember: each pose is meant to be a starting point, and each one offers endless variations.

So be creative. Adjust the poses as needed.

And you’ll capture some stunning portraits in no time!

Kaspars Grinvalds is a photographer working and living in Riga, Latvia. He is the author of Posing App, where you can find even more poses and posing ideas!