Posing Guide: 21 Sample Poses to Get You Started with Photographing Women –
Part I
This is the first in a series of Posing Guide posts by Kaspars Grinvalds. See below
for links to the full series of posing guides including for kids, men, couples,
weddings and more. Check out our new Portrait Posing eBook and Portrait Posing
Printables for more advice and posing ideas.
If you ever run out of ideas, get stuck in creativity or simply need some guidance
when shooting female subjects, you may use following posing samples as a
“posing cheat sheet”. Many pro photographers use such a technique when
preparing for and during the photo shoot.
The poses in this article are selected as initial reference. I would advise to look at
the poses together with your subject, especially if she’s inexperienced. During a
photo shoot don’t hesitate to discuss with the subject which pose is or isn’t
working in any particular situation. It’s usually very productive and you both will
feel more confident in what you are doing.
OK, let’s start, one by one.
1. Very simple portrait pose to start with. Have the model look over her shoulder.
Note how unusual and interesting a portrait might look, if shot simply from a
different angle.
2. In portrait photography, hands are usually not visible or at least not dominant.
However, you might get creative by asking the model to play around with her
hands trying different positions around her head or face. Keep in mind, though: No
flat palms, and the hands should only show their sides!
3. You might be familiar with composition rules like the rule of thirds. In a similar
way, pleasing effects can be created by using diagonals. Also remember that you
don’t need to always hold your camera on a perfectly even level. Don’t be afraid to
tilt it, you might achieve some interesting and unusual perspectives.
4. A really nice and lovely pose with a model sitting. The knees have to touch each
other. Shoot slightly from above.
5. Another open and inviting pose with the model lying on the ground. Get down
and take your shot nearly from the ground level.
6. Just a variation for a pose with the model lying on the ground. Both hands might
as well be resting on the ground. Works very well outdoors, on the grass or in a
wild flower meadow, for example.
7. A basic easy pose, yet looks absolutely stunning. Get down and shoot nearly
from a ground level. Then try to move gradually around the model while making
shots. Also ask your model to change head and hand positions.
8. Another easy yet gorgeous pose for all body types. Try different hand and leg
positioning. And remember to focus on the model’s eyes!
9. A really lovely pose. Works well in different surface settings: The model, for
example, might lie on a bed, on the ground, in the grass, or on a sandy beach.
Shoot from a very low angle and focus on the eyes.
10. Gorgeous and easy pose for a model sitting on the ground.
11. Another simple and friendly pose for a model sitting on the ground. Try
different directions and angles.
12. A wonderful way to demonstrate the beauty of a model’s physique. Works very
well as a silhouette when shooting against a bright background.
13. A simple and casual looking pose. Lots of variations are possible. Ask the
model to twist her body, experiment with hand positioning and try different head
turns.
14. Another very simple and elegant pose. The model is turned slightly to the side,
hands in back pockets.
15. Leaning slightly forward can be a very attractive gesture. It is a subtle way to
emphasize upper body shapes.
16. A sensual pose. By holding the hands above the head body curves are
emphasized. Works with fit body types.
17. Endless variations are possible for posing in full height. This pose is just the
starting point. Ask the model to slightly turn her body, change hand positioning,
change head and eye directions etc.
18. A relaxed pose with the model standing upright and supporting her back
against a wall. Remember that the model may use a wall not only to support her
back, but also to put her hands on, or resting a leg against it.
19. Note that full height settings are very demanding and work well only with slim
to athletic body types. Posing guidelines are simple: The body should be arched in
an S shape, hands should be relaxed, while the weight finds support on just one
leg.
20. An exquisite pose for slim to athletic models. Many variations are possible. In
order to find the best posture, tell the model to slowly move her hands and twist
her body constantly. When you see a good variant, ask your model to hold still and
take some pictures. Repeat for a full set.
21. An absolutely romantic and delicate pose. Any kind of cloth (even a curtain)
can be used. Note that the back doesn’t need to be completely bare. Sometimes as
little as a bare shoulder could work pretty well.
So, there’s something for you to start with. Hope you will find at least couple of
poses to work with in different shooting scenarios! Keep in mind that each of the
initial sample poses is meant to be only a starting point. Each pose has endless
variations! Just be creative and adjust the pose as needed (for example, try
different shooting angles and ask your subject to change hand, head and leg
positioning etc.)
Posing Guide: 21 Sample Poses to Get You
Started with Photographing Women – Part II
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Comments
This article is a sequel to the previous article about posing women. If you haven’t read it, I would
kindly recommend you to start with 21 Sample Poses for Photographing Women – Part I, as
basic principles why and how to use these samples remains the same.
Also, do check out our new Portrait Posing eBook and Portrait Posing Printables for more advice
and posing ideas.
OK, let’s continue.
1. Good starting pose. And very nice way to make the model slimmer. The model should push
her chin forward and tilt it slightly down while at the same time the shoulder up, but not too
much! There should definitely be a little gap between chin and shoulder.
2. Most often the best poses are the simplest ones. For female models supporting body on just
one leg and curving the body in an S shape is a simple starting rule.
3. Very beautiful way to utilize a wall or some object for a portrait pose. Model should gently
touch a vertical surface with her hands.
4. If your model has long falling hair, try showing them in motion. Ask her to quickly spin her
head to a desired position allowing the hair to continue the movement. You might want to
experiment with different shutter speeds to either capture or avoid a motion blur. These are
usually very positive and rewarding shots.
5. Suitable for sitting on a couch or in bed. In order to add some thematic depth, the model could
hold a coffee cup in her hands, maybe implying that she is warming her fingers.
6. A nice and cozy pose, very suitable for indoors with the model sitting on a couch.
7. Another variation for a model sitting on a couch.
8. Very nice looking casual pose for a model sitting on the ground. Try different shooting angles,
for example, move gradually around the model or change the shooting point’s height.
9. Sitting positions are not limited to casual shots. Don’t be afraid to try some sitting poses also
for more formal shots.
10. According to some popular and commonly exploited body language rules, crossing arms and
legs means putting up some barriers etc. Even if such beliefs are widespread, it doesn’t mean
they are correct. In pictures crossed arms on the chest don’t send any subconscious signs or
warnings at all! Crossing arms and legs in all different ways is absolutely fine for people
photography.
11. Not always your model needs to “place” hands somewhere specifically. It is absolutely fine
to leave them loosely by the sides. The same goes for legs, no exaggerations – one leg supports
the weight, that’s the only rule you need.
12. Just another sample for a full height shot you can use as a starting point. Thumbs or hands
partly in side pockets also work fine.
13. A very nice pose for summertime. Let her lose her shoes and ask her to walk slowly. Walk
and take your shots slightly from behind.
14. Hands behind the back, unusual but very open gesture. She might as well stand and support
herself against a wall.
15. Very easy and beautiful pose for a formal portrait. Model should turn a little bit sideways,
head turned slightly down and towards the camera.
16. Placing both hands on the waist is also a very photogenic pose. Works well both for half and
full height shots.
17. If available, some higher furniture or interior object might be helpful to place an arm on and
slightly support the body. This will create a formal but at the same time an open and positive
posture.
18. Partly sitting on some object is another very nice pose. Works well indoors as well outdoors
in a city.
19. An example of a feminine and fashionable pose for a full height picture.
20. Demanding pose, because indicating model’s movement is not easy. However, if done right,
very rewarding for trendy fashion or very elegant full height shots.
21. Lovely looking pose for the appropriate settings – the model is supporting herself against
some fence or bridge railing or some similar object. Shooting from a side with a large aperture
provides good opportunities for a shallow depth of field with a nicely blurred background.
If you find this article helpful, you may want to check out previous articles from the posing guide
series:
Posing Guide: Sample poses for photographing Women – Part I
Posing Guide: Sample poses for photographing Men
Posing Guide: Sample Poses for photographing Children
Posing Guide: Sample Poses for Photographing Couples
Posing Guide: Sample Poses for Photographing Groups of People
Posing Guide: Sample Poses for Photographing Weddings
