What tips do you have for posing at a photo shoot?

Question

I am an aspiring model. And I don't have much prior experience in modeling.

What most concerns me the MOST are poses. I don't want to be unprepared. I don't want ackward positions of my hand, head, body, or weird expressions on my face so it begs the question...

How should I prepare my poses?

I would be grateful for responses to this question. I am really interested in answers. Any general tips on how I can make my photo shoot a success are also welcome.

Write to your heart's content--- I appreciate thorough explanations.

Answer 1

First, put something under the hood (bonnet) of the car to support her weight by transferring her weight from just the bonnet to the engine itself, wash and SCRUB the bottom of the boots and sandals so there is no debris in them to scratch the car. Next, go get yourself a reflector. Don't buy a reflector, go get a large chunk of cardboard such as is used in shipping large kitchen appliances (stoves etc). It should be about 1 to 1.5 meters by 1.5 - 2 meters. Tape two together if you need to make it larger. Cover it with shiny aluminum foil. Place that reflector between the camera and the car and angle it so that the light is reflected at the car and person. Don't worry if the aluminum foil has wrinkles - it's better that way. Just remember to tape each row of aluminum foil down or you will have a mess. Shoot from a low angle in the shade of a large building or trees and have the background darker than her to make her stand out. Good luck

Answer 2

Some of the worst pictures ever are ones where the subject is posing for the camera. They are unnatural and don't draw the viewer in. In other words, don't pose for the camera. Try to relax and be yourself. If you have good lighting, you can move around a lot and have your photographer get multiple shots flipping your hair, cocking and turning your head, etc., and if the photographer is good he or she will know when and how to shoot, so don't worry about what's going on with the photographer.

It's frustrating trying to shoot a subject that is trying too hard to "be pretty" or trying to be proper or formal or stuffy or whatever. The BEST pictures, in my opinion, are candid. The subject is at ease with the photographer and/or whomever she/he is with OR totally oblivious to the camera. Try different things to not think of it as taking pictures. I've shot people that have brought friends and they have just messed around with that friend, giggling, flirting, etc. It helps to have a good rapport with the photographer too. Think of it this way. That camera is an extension of an audience, not a cold, hard mechanical device. There are people watching you. You have a captive audience, people you can flirt with or show off to - they are out there. Think of a specific person you want to flirt with or warm up to. That person is out there.

Posing is like performing, or should I say posing IS performing. If you are an actor or musician, you may relate. If your are looking to prepare for posing, do so in front of a full-length mirror. Your face is your best asset, don't worry about the placement of your hands or position of your body as much - concentrate on your face. Try different facial expressions to see which ones are "you." After all, you want to capture YOU, not a phony. It is easy to see who is trying too hard to pose and those pictures are unsettling in my opinion.

Props - Use them. Use different articles of clothing or accessories. Grab a classic microphone and sing, REALLY sing into it. Get a guitar and strum. Don't rule out anything. Tools, toys, balls, surf board, guns & swords, sunglasses half-way down the nose and peering over the top, splashing in the water or mud, leaves, dandelions, roses, scarves, camouflage, face paint, house paint (holding a brush dipped in red paint and having it splattered on the hands, clothing, face can be an interesting effect), watering can with water, Easter eggs... the options are limitless - use your imagination. Props help you focus on something else besides the camera, make for interesting photo-shoots and help you do find something to do with your hands.

Best of all, have fun. If you are having fun at the shoot, it will come through to your audience. Those tend to be the BEST shots.

Now I wish I could convince all MY subjects to do all this.

Answer 3

simply study the styles of poses in magazine and on the web.

Start you a "pose book" that can refresh your memory when you need to "strike a pose"...

Your natural self will do best... just relax and assume the position... practice in the mirror or in front of a video-cam... then review the tape to see how you look.

beaux

Answer 4

I would suggest that you be relaxed and just be your charming self. No unnecessary gestures, no false smile if you don't feel like smiling. Serious pictures are beautiful too, some mystery in your eyes too, a bit of flirt to the camera.

Answer 5

1

Answer 6

It depends. Is your photographer a director a producer? A director will tell you what he wants to see. The producer will capture what you want him to see.

Miss, buy books. Books and practice. Portraiture is a synergy, a dance between you and the imager. Be bold, be unique, never be afraid. You are beautiful and it will show.

Answer 7

you can go to
http://images.google.co.uk/images?svnum=10&hl=en&lr=&q=cindy+sherman+untitled+film+stills+&btnG=Search
and look at the poses there, cindy sherman did lots of stills for filme noire style films