Show Everyday poses only, unless you say otherwise.
Everyday Suggestive Lingerie and swim Implied nude Artistic nude
Model comfort at most 1 is effortless, 5 needs an experienced model.
Any 1 or lower 2 or lower 3 or lower 4 or lower 5 or lower Wardrobe risk at most 1 never touches the ground, 5 is lying on wet ground.
Any 1 or lower 2 or lower 3 or lower 4 or lower 5 or lower How many people Solo7 Couple Trio Small group (4–6) Large group (7+)
Who is in frame Woman5 Man1 Any / unspecified Child1 Newborn Teen Senior Family Pregnant With pets
Shoot type Portrait5 Headshot Corporate1 Fashion / editorial1 Wedding Engagement Maternity Newborn Family Graduation Boudoir Fitness / sport Dance Lifestyle1 Street Cosplay Product with model
Crop How much of the subject is in frame.
Full body1 Knee up4 Waist up1 Chest up1 Close-up Detail Environmental
Lens Focal lengths this pose is built for, in 35mm equivalent.
Wide (up to 35mm)1 Normal (40–58mm)7 Short telephoto (70–105mm)1 Telephoto (135mm and up)1
Camera angle Eye level7 Low angle High angle Overhead Worm's eye Dutch tilt Over the shoulder
Facing Front on7 Three-quarter turn Profile Back to camera
Body position Standing3 Walking Sitting4 Kneeling1 Crouching Lying on back Lying on front Lying on side Leaning Reclining Jumping Twisting Dancing
Location Studio3 Home interior2 Window-light interior1 Café / restaurant1 Urban street1 Rooftop1 Forest Field / meadow1 Beach / water Mountain Desert Pool3 Gym Car / vehicle Snow
Props and supports What the location has to provide for this pose to work.
Wall Corner Floor / ground Stairs / steps Chair Stool Bench Table / desk Bed Sofa1 Ladder Railing3 Fence Doorway / arch Window sill Column / pillar Mirror Tree / branch Rock / boulder Curb / kerb Bicycle Umbrella / parasol Hat Fabric / drape Flowers Book Phone Drink Musical instrument Sports equipment No props needed3
What the hands do The problem every model asks about first.
In pockets2 On hips1 In hair1 Framing the face Arms crossed1 Behind back Clasped4 Touching collar or jewellery Holding an object One hand raised On thighs or knees1
Gaze At camera7 Off camera Eyes closed At the other person Down Up Back over the shoulder To the side Just past the lens At their own hands or body At what they are holding
Interaction Only meaningful for two or more people.
Holding hands Embracing Back to back Forehead touch Lift or carry Dip Walking together Whispering Mirrored / symmetrical Gap between them One leading the other
Expression What the face is doing, as distinct from the mood of the picture.
Neutral Soft smile Broad smile Smirk Lips parted Mouth open Pout Furrowed brow Squint Stern Surprised Face not visible
Facial tension Whether the face is at ease or working. A held smile and a relaxed one photograph differently, and this is the one a photographer fixes by talking rather than by moving anybody.
Relaxed Composed Held Strained
Wardrobe Works with anything Casual4 Jeans4 Business casual1 Suit Evening gown1 Flowy dress2 Structured dress Skirt2 Athleisure Swimwear1 Lingerie Jacket3 Outerwear (unsorted)1 Long coat / trench1 Traditional / cultural dress Costume Nude or implied
Wardrobe constraints Things to tell the client before they pack.
Needs flowing fabric1 Needs heels Flat shoes only Avoid short skirt Avoid tight clothing Footwear is visible1 Needs pockets3 Long sleeves help2
Contact with the ground Pairs with the cleanliness rating: what the clothes actually touch.
No ground contact3 Sitting on the ground3 Lying on the ground Kneeling on the ground1 Back or hands against a wall Wet Sand Grass Dust or mud
Comfort notes Pairs with the comfort and physical demand ratings — the things that make a model hesitate.
Needs rapport first Looks odd in person Can only hold it briefly Needs flexibility Needs strength1 Needs balance1 Hard on the knees1 Not for a first-time model Works for anyone
Mood Joyful Serene3 Confident7 Sensual Melancholic Playful Candid Intense Dreamy Vulnerable Aloof
Lighting Window light4 Golden hour1 Backlit / rim1 Hard sun2 Overcast1 One-light studio3 Rembrandt1 Loop1 Butterfly1 Split High key2 Low key Night / neon1 On-camera flash1
Space needed Read this together with the lens: an 85mm full body needs about five metres of working distance.
Tight space Medium space7 Open space
Frame Portrait (2:3, 4:5)7 Landscape (3:2)1 Square (1:1)1 Vertical video (9:16)
Time and weather Golden hour1 Blue hour Midday5 Night Needs direct sun Works overcast1 Rain Snow Wind helps
Works well for Who this pose actually flatters.
Petite frames2 Tall frames3 Plus size Pregnancy Limited mobility Kids1 Seniors Groups Gives the hands a job3 Defines the jawline Lengthens the legs4
