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 Solo6 Couple Trio Small group (4–6) Large group (7+)
Who is in frame Woman5 Man1 Any / unspecified Child Newborn Teen Senior Family Pregnant With pets
Shoot type Portrait3 Headshot Corporate Fashion / editorial Wedding Engagement Maternity Newborn Family Graduation Boudoir2 Fitness / sport Dance Lifestyle6 Street Cosplay Product with model
Crop How much of the subject is in frame.
Full body 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) Normal (40–58mm)6 Short telephoto (70–105mm) Telephoto (135mm and up)
Camera angle Eye level5 Low angle High angle1 Overhead Worm's eye Dutch tilt Over the shoulder
Facing Front on1 Three-quarter turn5 Profile Back to camera
Body position Standing Walking Sitting4 Kneeling Crouching Lying on back1 Lying on front Lying on side Leaning1 Reclining Jumping Twisting Dancing
Location Studio Home interior3 Window-light interior Café / restaurant Urban street3 Rooftop Forest Field / meadow Beach / water Mountain Desert Pool Gym Car / vehicle Snow
Props and supports What the location has to provide for this pose to work.
Wall2 Corner Floor / ground Stairs / steps2 Chair Stool Bench Table / desk Bed2 Sofa1 Ladder Railing Fence Doorway / arch Window sill Column / pillar Mirror Tree / branch Rock / boulder Curb / kerb Bicycle Umbrella / parasol Hat Fabric / drape2 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 hair2 Framing the face Arms crossed1 Behind back Clasped1 Touching collar or jewellery Holding an object2 One hand raised1 On thighs or knees3
Gaze At camera3 Off camera Eyes closed1 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 anything Casual5 Jeans4 Business casual Suit Evening gown Flowy dress Structured dress Skirt1 Athleisure3 Swimwear Lingerie1 Jacket 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 only Avoid short skirt1 Avoid tight clothing Footwear is visible2 Needs pockets1 Long sleeves help2
Contact with the ground Pairs with the cleanliness rating: what the clothes actually touch.
No ground contact Sitting on the ground4 Lying on the ground1 Kneeling on the ground Back or hands against a wall1 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 briefly1 Needs flexibility1 Needs strength1 Needs balance1 Hard on the knees Not for a first-time model Works for anyone1
Mood Joyful1 Serene4 Confident3 Sensual1 Melancholic1 Playful Candid Intense Dreamy Vulnerable1 Aloof
Lighting Window light3 Golden hour2 Backlit / rim Hard sun Overcast 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 space6 Open space
Frame Portrait (2:3, 4:5)6 Landscape (3:2) Square (1:1) Vertical video (9:16)
Time and weather Golden hour3 Blue hour Midday Night2 Needs direct sun Works overcast1 Rain Snow Wind helps
Works well for Who this pose actually flatters.
Petite frames4 Tall frames2 Plus size Pregnancy Limited mobility Kids Seniors Groups Gives the hands a job3 Defines the jawline Lengthens the legs2
