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 Solo5 Couple3 Trio Small group (4–6) Large group (7+)
Who is in frame Woman7 Man4 Any / unspecified Child Newborn Teen Senior Family Pregnant With pets
Shoot type Portrait2 Headshot Corporate Fashion / editorial2 Wedding3 Engagement Maternity Newborn Family Graduation Boudoir1 Fitness / sport Dance Lifestyle2 Street1 Cosplay Product with model1
Crop How much of the subject is in frame.
Full body1 Knee up3 Waist up1 Chest up2 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 level8 Low angle High angle Overhead Worm's eye Dutch tilt Over the shoulder
Facing Front on Three-quarter turn8 Profile Back to camera
Body position Standing5 Walking Sitting1 Kneeling Crouching Lying on back Lying on front Lying on side Leaning3 Reclining Jumping Twisting Dancing
Location Studio1 Home interior1 Window-light interior Café / restaurant Urban street3 Rooftop Forest2 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.
Wall2 Corner Floor / ground Stairs / steps Chair Stool Bench Table / desk Bed1 Sofa Ladder Railing Fence Doorway / arch1 Window sill Column / pillar2 Mirror Tree / branch1 Rock / boulder Curb / kerb Bicycle Umbrella / parasol Hat Fabric / drape2 Flowers2 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 Clasped Touching collar or jewellery4 Holding an object8 One hand raised On thighs or knees1
Gaze At camera4 Off camera1 Eyes closed At the other person2 Down1 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 hands2 Embracing3 Back to back Forehead touch1 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 Casual4 Jeans1 Business casual Suit3 Evening gown3 Flowy dress Structured dress1 Skirt2 Athleisure2 Swimwear Lingerie Jacket1 Outerwear (unsorted) Long coat / trench Traditional / cultural dress Costume Nude or implied
Wardrobe constraints Things to tell the client before they pack.
Needs flowing fabric2 Needs heels Flat shoes only1 Avoid short skirt Avoid tight clothing1 Footwear is visible2 Needs pockets1 Long sleeves help4
Contact with the ground Pairs with the cleanliness rating: what the clothes actually touch.
No ground contact3 Sitting on the ground1 Lying on the ground Kneeling on the ground Back or hands against a wall2 Wet2 Sand1 Grass Dust or mud
Comfort notes Pairs with the comfort and physical demand ratings — the things that make a model hesitate.
Needs rapport first1 Looks odd in person Can only hold it briefly1 Needs flexibility Needs strength1 Needs balance1 Hard on the knees Not for a first-time model Works for anyone
Mood Joyful2 Serene6 Confident4 Sensual1 Melancholic Playful Candid Intense Dreamy1 Vulnerable Aloof
Lighting Window light Golden hour4 Backlit / rim Hard sun Overcast3 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 space5 Open space3
Frame Portrait (2:3, 4:5)7 Landscape (3:2)1 Square (1:1) Vertical video (9:16)
Time and weather Golden hour6 Blue hour Midday1 Night Needs direct sun Works overcast Rain1 Snow Wind helps
Works well for Who this pose actually flatters.
Petite frames5 Tall frames5 Plus size Pregnancy Limited mobility Kids Seniors Groups Gives the hands a job3 Defines the jawline Lengthens the legs
