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 Solo3 Couple1 Trio Small group (4–6) Large group (7+)
Who is in frame Woman4 Man1 Any / unspecified Child Newborn Teen Senior Family Pregnant With pets
Shoot type Portrait1 Headshot Corporate Fashion / editorial2 Wedding1 Engagement Maternity Newborn Family Graduation Boudoir2 Fitness / sport Dance Lifestyle Street Cosplay Product with model
Crop How much of the subject is in frame.
Full body4 Knee up1 Waist up Chest up Close-up Detail Environmental
Lens Focal lengths this pose is built for, in 35mm equivalent.
Wide (up to 35mm) Normal (40–58mm)4 Short telephoto (70–105mm) Telephoto (135mm and up)
Camera angle Eye level4 Low angle High angle Overhead Worm's eye Dutch tilt Over the shoulder
Facing Front on1 Three-quarter turn3 Profile Back to camera
Body position Standing3 Walking Sitting1 Kneeling Crouching Lying on back Lying on front Lying on side Leaning Reclining Jumping Twisting Dancing
Location Studio3 Home interior Window-light interior Café / restaurant Urban street Rooftop Forest Field / meadow Beach / water1 Mountain Desert Pool Gym Car / vehicle Snow
Props and supports What the location has to provide for this pose to work.
Wall1 Corner Floor / ground1 Stairs / steps Chair Stool Bench Table / desk Bed Sofa Ladder Railing Fence Doorway / arch Window sill Column / pillar Mirror Tree / branch Rock / boulder Curb / kerb Bicycle Umbrella / parasol Hat1 Fabric / drape1 Flowers Book Phone Drink Musical instrument Sports equipment No props needed1
What the hands do The problem every model asks about first.
In pockets1 On hips2 In hair1 Framing the face Arms crossed Behind back Clasped Touching collar or jewellery1 Holding an object1 One hand raised On thighs or knees1
Gaze At camera2 Off camera1 Eyes closed At the other person1 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 Embracing1 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 anything1 Casual1 Jeans Business casual Suit1 Evening gown2 Flowy dress1 Structured dress1 Skirt1 Athleisure Swimwear Lingerie Jacket Outerwear (unsorted) Long coat / trench 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 visible3 Needs pockets1 Long sleeves help
Contact with the ground Pairs with the cleanliness rating: what the clothes actually touch.
No ground contact2 Sitting on the ground1 Lying on the ground Kneeling on the ground Back or hands against a wall Wet1 Sand1 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 balance Hard on the knees Not for a first-time model1 Works for anyone
Mood Joyful Serene2 Confident3 Sensual1 Melancholic Playful Candid Intense Dreamy1 Vulnerable Aloof
Lighting Window light1 Golden hour1 Backlit / rim Hard sun Overcast One-light studio2 Rembrandt Loop Butterfly Split High key1 Low key Night / neon On-camera flash
Space needed Read this together with the lens: an 85mm full body needs about five metres of working distance.
Tight space Medium space3 Open space1
Frame Portrait (2:3, 4:5)3 Landscape (3:2)1 Square (1:1) Vertical video (9:16)
Time and weather Golden hour2 Blue hour Midday2 Night Needs direct sun Works overcast Rain Snow Wind helps
Works well for Who this pose actually flatters.
Petite frames1 Tall frames3 Plus size Pregnancy Limited mobility Kids Seniors Groups Gives the hands a job1 Defines the jawline Lengthens the legs1
