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 Solo4 Couple Trio Small group (4–6) Large group (7+)
Who is in frame Woman4 Man Any / unspecified Child Newborn Teen Senior Family Pregnant With pets
Shoot type Portrait3 Headshot Corporate1 Fashion / editorial2 Wedding Engagement Maternity Newborn Family Graduation Boudoir Fitness / sport Dance Lifestyle Street Cosplay Product with model
Crop How much of the subject is in frame.
Full body1 Knee up Waist up3 Chest up Close-up Detail Environmental
Lens Focal lengths this pose is built for, in 35mm equivalent.
Wide (up to 35mm)1 Normal (40–58mm)4 Short telephoto (70–105mm)1 Telephoto (135mm and up)1
Camera angle Eye level4 Low angle High angle Overhead Worm's eye Dutch tilt Over the shoulder
Facing Front on2 Three-quarter turn2 Profile Back to camera
Body position Standing4 Walking Sitting Kneeling Crouching Lying on back Lying on front Lying on side Leaning Reclining Jumping Twisting Dancing
Location Studio4 Home interior1 Window-light interior1 Café / restaurant1 Urban street1 Rooftop1 Forest Field / meadow1 Beach / water Mountain Desert Pool 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 / arch Window sill Column / pillar Mirror Tree / branch Rock / boulder Curb / kerb Bicycle Umbrella / parasol Hat Fabric / drape Flowers Book Phone Drink Musical instrument Sports equipment No props needed3
What the hands do The problem every model asks about first.
In pockets4 On hips1 In hair1 Framing the face Arms crossed Behind back Clasped Touching collar or jewellery Holding an object One hand raised On thighs or knees1
Gaze At camera3 Off camera1 Eyes closed At the other person 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 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 Jeans3 Business casual1 Suit Evening gown Flowy dress Structured dress Skirt1 Athleisure Swimwear Lingerie Jacket2 Outerwear (unsorted)1 Long coat / trench1 Traditional / cultural dress Costume Nude or implied
Wardrobe constraints Things to tell the client before they pack.
Needs flowing fabric Needs heels Flat shoes only Avoid short skirt Avoid tight clothing Footwear is visible Needs pockets4 Long sleeves help
Contact with the ground Pairs with the cleanliness rating: what the clothes actually touch.
No ground contact4 Sitting on the ground Lying on the ground Kneeling on the ground Back or hands against a wall 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 briefly Needs flexibility Needs strength Needs balance Hard on the knees Not for a first-time model Works for anyone
Mood Joyful Serene Confident4 Sensual Melancholic Playful Candid Intense Dreamy Vulnerable Aloof
Lighting Window light1 Golden hour1 Backlit / rim1 Hard sun1 Overcast2 One-light studio4 Rembrandt1 Loop1 Butterfly1 Split High key2 Low key Night / neon1 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 space4 Open space
Frame Portrait (2:3, 4:5)4 Landscape (3:2)1 Square (1:1)1 Vertical video (9:16)
Time and weather Golden hour Blue hour Midday3 Night Needs direct sun Works overcast1 Rain Snow Wind helps
Works well for Who this pose actually flatters.
Petite frames Tall frames4 Plus size Pregnancy Limited mobility Kids Seniors Groups Gives the hands a job2 Defines the jawline Lengthens the legs
