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 Solo22 Couple3 Trio Small group (4–6) Large group (7+)
Who is in frame Woman22 Man5 Any / unspecified Child1 Newborn Teen Senior Family Pregnant With pets
Shoot type Portrait14 Headshot Corporate1 Fashion / editorial7 Wedding3 Engagement Maternity Newborn Family Graduation Boudoir4 Fitness / sport Dance Lifestyle6 Street1 Cosplay Product with model
Crop How much of the subject is in frame.
Full body4 Knee up10 Waist up7 Chest up5 Close-up Detail Environmental
Lens Focal lengths this pose is built for, in 35mm equivalent.
Wide (up to 35mm)1 Normal (40–58mm)25 Short telephoto (70–105mm)1 Telephoto (135mm and up)1
Camera angle Eye level23 Low angle High angle2 Overhead Worm's eye Dutch tilt Over the shoulder
Facing Front on7 Three-quarter turn18 Profile Back to camera
Body position Standing14 Walking Sitting8 Kneeling1 Crouching Lying on back1 Lying on front Lying on side1 Leaning2 Reclining Jumping Twisting Dancing
Location Studio10 Home interior5 Window-light interior1 Café / restaurant1 Urban street6 Rooftop1 Forest2 Field / meadow2 Beach / water2 Mountain Desert1 Pool4 Gym Car / vehicle Snow
Props and supports What the location has to provide for this pose to work.
Wall5 Corner Floor / ground1 Stairs / steps2 Chair Stool Bench Table / desk Bed2 Sofa1 Ladder Railing3 Fence Doorway / arch1 Window sill Column / pillar2 Mirror Tree / branch1 Rock / boulder Curb / kerb Bicycle Umbrella / parasol Hat1 Fabric / drape3 Flowers2 Book Phone Drink Musical instrument Sports equipment No props needed6
What the hands do The problem every model asks about first.
In pockets4 On hips3 In hair7 Framing the face Arms crossed2 Behind back Clasped4 Touching collar or jewellery3 Holding an object7 One hand raised3 On thighs or knees6
Gaze At camera15 Off camera3 Eyes closed1 At the other person2 Down3 Up1 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 hands2 Embracing3 Back to back Forehead touch1 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 anything1 Casual11 Jeans10 Business casual1 Suit4 Evening gown5 Flowy dress3 Structured dress3 Skirt7 Athleisure6 Swimwear2 Lingerie1 Jacket5 Outerwear (unsorted)2 Long coat / trench1 Traditional / cultural dress Costume Nude or implied
Wardrobe constraints Things to tell the client before they pack.
Needs flowing fabric6 Needs heels Flat shoes only1 Avoid short skirt1 Avoid tight clothing1 Footwear is visible7 Needs pockets7 Long sleeves help6
Contact with the ground Pairs with the cleanliness rating: what the clothes actually touch.
No ground contact9 Sitting on the ground7 Lying on the ground1 Kneeling on the ground1 Back or hands against a wall4 Wet2 Sand1 Grass1 Dust or mud
Comfort notes Pairs with the comfort and physical demand ratings — the things that make a model hesitate.
Needs rapport first1 Looks odd in person Can only hold it briefly1 Needs flexibility1 Needs strength2 Needs balance2 Hard on the knees1 Not for a first-time model4 Works for anyone1
Mood Joyful3 Serene14 Confident18 Sensual3 Melancholic1 Playful Candid Intense Dreamy1 Vulnerable2 Aloof
Lighting Window light8 Golden hour6 Backlit / rim1 Hard sun4 Overcast6 One-light studio10 Rembrandt1 Loop1 Butterfly1 Split High key5 Low key1 Night / neon2 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 space21 Open space4
Frame Portrait (2:3, 4:5)24 Landscape (3:2)2 Square (1:1)1 Vertical video (9:16)
Time and weather Golden hour10 Blue hour Midday10 Night2 Needs direct sun Works overcast2 Rain1 Snow Wind helps
Works well for Who this pose actually flatters.
Petite frames10 Tall frames16 Plus size Pregnancy Limited mobility Kids1 Seniors Groups Gives the hands a job9 Defines the jawline Lengthens the legs6
