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 Solo8 Couple Trio Small group (4–6) Large group (7+)
Who is in frame Woman8 Man Any / unspecified Child Newborn Teen Senior Family Pregnant With pets
Shoot type Portrait2 Headshot Corporate Fashion / editorial8 Wedding Engagement Maternity Newborn Family Graduation Boudoir1 Fitness / sport Dance Lifestyle Street Cosplay Product with model1
Crop How much of the subject is in frame.
Full body2 Knee up1 Waist up3 Chest up1 Close-up1 Detail Environmental
Lens Focal lengths this pose is built for, in 35mm equivalent.
Wide (up to 35mm) Normal (40–58mm)7 Short telephoto (70–105mm)1 Telephoto (135mm and up)
Camera angle Eye level7 Low angle High angle1 Overhead Worm's eye Dutch tilt Over the shoulder
Facing Front on1 Three-quarter turn7 Profile Back to camera
Body position Standing6 Walking Sitting Kneeling Crouching Lying on back Lying on front Lying on side1 Leaning1 Reclining Jumping Twisting Dancing
Location Studio6 Home interior1 Window-light interior Café / restaurant Urban street1 Rooftop Forest Field / meadow1 Beach / water1 Mountain Desert1 Pool1 Gym Car / vehicle Snow
Props and supports What the location has to provide for this pose to work.
Wall1 Corner Floor / ground Stairs / steps Chair Stool Bench Table / desk Bed Sofa Ladder Railing Fence Doorway / arch1 Window sill Column / pillar1 Mirror Tree / branch Rock / boulder Curb / kerb Bicycle Umbrella / parasol Hat1 Fabric / drape Flowers Book Phone Drink Musical instrument Sports equipment No props needed4
What the hands do The problem every model asks about first.
In pockets2 On hips3 In hair3 Framing the face Arms crossed Behind back Clasped Touching collar or jewellery1 Holding an object2 One hand raised1 On thighs or knees1
Gaze At camera3 Off camera3 Eyes closed At the other person Down1 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 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 Casual3 Jeans2 Business casual Suit1 Evening gown1 Flowy dress Structured dress3 Skirt2 Athleisure1 Swimwear1 Lingerie Jacket3 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 visible1 Needs pockets3 Long sleeves help3
Contact with the ground Pairs with the cleanliness rating: what the clothes actually touch.
No ground contact5 Sitting on the ground Lying on the ground Kneeling on the ground Back or hands against a wall1 Wet1 Sand Grass1 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 strength Needs balance Hard on the knees Not for a first-time model3 Works for anyone
Mood Joyful Serene3 Confident7 Sensual2 Melancholic Playful Candid Intense Dreamy Vulnerable1 Aloof
Lighting Window light1 Golden hour1 Backlit / rim Hard sun1 Overcast2 One-light studio7 Rembrandt Loop Butterfly Split High key4 Low key1 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 space7 Open space1
Frame Portrait (2:3, 4:5)8 Landscape (3:2) Square (1:1) Vertical video (9:16)
Time and weather Golden hour1 Blue hour Midday6 Night Needs direct sun Works overcast Rain1 Snow Wind helps
Works well for Who this pose actually flatters.
Petite frames2 Tall frames6 Plus size Pregnancy Limited mobility Kids Seniors Groups Gives the hands a job5 Defines the jawline Lengthens the legs
