3 Posing Tips to Immediately Improve Your Portrait Photography
Coco Inspirations Photography
Not satisfied with the quality of your portraits?
Well, fortunately for us, there are plenty of simple, yet effective portrait photography tips that can help you elevate the portraits you take.
In the video above, Jessica Whitaker outlines some of her favorite posing tips for portrait photography.
Often, the way that the model is posed can make or break the shot, so learning a few techniques for posing will do your photos good!
Have a look at the video and see how Jessica implements each tip. For a discussion of each, check the article below. Learn more about poses for boys photoshoot on our website PhotographyTalk.com.
Editor's Note: The example images in this article feature portrait photography accessories from Sew Trendy. Take your photos to the next level by outfitting your models with gorgeous accessories.
Posing Tip #1: Bring the Hands Up
Neidy Parra Photography
As soon as you get someone in front of a camera, a couple of things happen.
First, they usually try to force a smile that looks completely unnatural.
Second, they often struggle to figure out what to do with their hands.
The hand issue is significant because awkward hands can easily ruin a photo.
To get around this, have the model bring their hands upward, as shown in the image above.
Neidy Parra Photography
Doing so gives them something to do with their hands (i.e., gently touch their hair, chin, etc.) and also helps distract the model's attention, resulting in more natural facial expressions as well.
Something as simple as raising the hands upward solves both problems!
As Jessica notes in the video, though, be sure the model isn't mashing their hands against their head. Instead, direct them to be very gentle and just barely touch their hair, face, and so forth. You can also view another post about poses for men's photography here.
Posing Tip #2: Incorporate a Lean
Lori Dorman & Co Photography
Continuing with the theme of making models look more natural, when you pose them for a portrait, give them something to lean on.
Whether it's a wall, a post, or even another person, giving the model the option to relax and shift their weight to something or someone else will result in a portrait that looks and feels much more laid-back.
In the example above, the chair gives the model the support she needs to release the tension in her shoulders, back, and other muscles. The result is a beautiful, sultry photo! The model's gorgeous gown sure helps in that department, too.
Katie de la Ross
In this shot, having the model lay down on a bed not only puts her in a relaxed position, but also allowed the photographer to take images from different angles and perspectives.
Because of that, we get a much more unique take on how to take portraits, with an upside-down view of the model.
You can have a perfect exposure, excellent composition, and so forth, but if the model looks tense, it'll ruin the image. Finding ways to help the model relax will help you avoid that situation.
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Posing Tip #3: Alter the Height of the Shoulders
Coco Inspirations Photography
Another way that you can create more natural-looking portraits is to help the model pose by altering the height of their shoulders.
If the model's shoulders are both on the same plane and angle, it can cause the portrait to look a little too posed and stuffy. You can also check another post how to pose for pictures male.
But as you can see above, dipping one shoulder makes for a more dynamic look (and a more natural look, at that).
Alianay Ibarra Photography
Notice, though, that in both of these example images that the model isn't dramatically dipping one shoulder.
Instead, a difference of an inch or two in the height of the shoulders (and an off-the-shoulder gown) gets you the natural-looking effect you want.
Sometimes, doing simple, easy things is the best way to get the most pleasing results!
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