How to Pose Women Who Aren’t Models [video]

In this video by Anita Sadowska, you’ll learn how to pose people who are not models so they look more relaxed and natural in photos with a little help from photographer-turned-model for the video, Irene Rudnyk.

General tips

• Always give the model encouragement.
• Talk to them throughout the shoot to help them relax. If you like a pose they are making, tell them so.
• Try to get your subject to laugh and smile to make them more comfortable in front of the camera. Tell jokes.

Standing poses

• Get your model to stand on tip toes and move one leg forward, and shift hip forward.
• When someone is shorter, shoot from lower to the ground, shooting upwards so the model looks taller.
• Get the model to separate their arms to open up the body.
• Don’t squash arms up against the body.

Sitting poses

• Place one leg lower than the other. Bring one leg upward and turned inwards towards the body. Elongate the longer leg.
• Keep the model using tip toes when seated too as it elongates the feet and legs.
• Place arm outwards to lean on.
• Sit more sideways to push the hip out a little more.
• Also, place the chin up to elongate the body.
• No crossed arms.
• Lean backwards on the back arm, resting the front arm loosely on the front leg.

Facial positions

• Push out the chin and then pull it down to create more definition.
• Move their face around on different angles, tilting works well.
• Try chin up and chin down. If using chin down, it is important to have strong eye contact.

Posture

• Always ensure the model has good posture.
• Move shoulders down, stand tall and suck in the tummy for a strong core.
• Lean against something to feel more relaxed.

Accessories

• Accessorize. Using an accessory can give the model something to play with/hold.
• If you don’t have accessories, you can get your model to play with their hair and have fun with it.

You may also find the following articles helpful:

• 67 Portrait Poses (printable)
• 5 Ways to Use a Piece of Glass for Unique Portraits
• Portraits: Striking The Pose
• 10 Ways to Take Stunning Portraits
• Clothing for Portraits – How to Tell your Subjects What to Wear
• 14 Amazing Portrait Recipes
• How to Create Awesome Portrait Lighting with a Paper Bag an Elastic Band and a Chocolate Donut