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 Solo10 Couple Trio Small group (4–6) Large group (7+)
Who is in frame Woman8 Man2 Any / unspecified Child Newborn Teen Senior Family Pregnant With pets
Shoot type Portrait7 Headshot Corporate Fashion / editorial1 Wedding Engagement Maternity Newborn Family Graduation Boudoir2 Fitness / sport Dance Lifestyle4 Street1 Cosplay Product with model
Crop How much of the subject is in frame.
Full body1 Knee up10 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)10 Short telephoto (70–105mm) Telephoto (135mm and up)
Camera angle Eye level10 Low angle High angle Overhead Worm's eye Dutch tilt Over the shoulder
Facing Front on4 Three-quarter turn6 Profile Back to camera
Body position Standing2 Walking Sitting8 Kneeling1 Crouching Lying on back Lying on front Lying on side Leaning1 Reclining Jumping Twisting Dancing
Location Studio1 Home interior2 Window-light interior Café / restaurant Urban street4 Rooftop Forest Field / meadow Beach / water Mountain Desert Pool3 Gym Car / vehicle Snow
Props and supports What the location has to provide for this pose to work.
Wall2 Corner Floor / ground1 Stairs / steps2 Chair Stool Bench Table / desk Bed1 Sofa1 Ladder Railing3 Fence Doorway / arch1 Window sill Column / pillar2 Mirror Tree / branch Rock / boulder Curb / kerb Bicycle Umbrella / parasol Hat Fabric / drape1 Flowers Book Phone Drink Musical instrument Sports equipment No props needed
What the hands do The problem every model asks about first.
In pockets On hips In hair1 Framing the face Arms crossed Behind back Clasped4 Touching collar or jewellery Holding an object3 One hand raised On thighs or knees5
Gaze At camera8 Off camera Eyes closed At the other person Down2 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 anything1 Casual7 Jeans5 Business casual Suit Evening gown Flowy dress2 Structured dress1 Skirt4 Athleisure3 Swimwear1 Lingerie Jacket2 Outerwear (unsorted)1 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 only1 Avoid short skirt1 Avoid tight clothing Footwear is visible5 Needs pockets1 Long sleeves help4
Contact with the ground Pairs with the cleanliness rating: what the clothes actually touch.
No ground contact Sitting on the ground7 Lying on the ground Kneeling on the ground1 Back or hands against a wall1 Wet1 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 briefly1 Needs flexibility Needs strength1 Needs balance2 Hard on the knees1 Not for a first-time model Works for anyone1
Mood Joyful Serene6 Confident8 Sensual1 Melancholic1 Playful Candid Intense Dreamy Vulnerable1 Aloof
Lighting Window light5 Golden hour2 Backlit / rim Hard sun1 Overcast1 One-light studio1 Rembrandt Loop Butterfly Split High key Low key Night / neon1 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 space9 Open space1
Frame Portrait (2:3, 4:5)10 Landscape (3:2) Square (1:1) Vertical video (9:16)
Time and weather Golden hour4 Blue hour Midday2 Night2 Needs direct sun Works overcast1 Rain1 Snow Wind helps
Works well for Who this pose actually flatters.
Petite frames5 Tall frames4 Plus size Pregnancy Limited mobility Kids Seniors Groups Gives the hands a job2 Defines the jawline Lengthens the legs6
