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 Solo1 Couple3 Trio Small group (4–6) Large group (7+)
Who is in frame Woman4 Man3 Any / unspecified Child Newborn Teen Senior Family Pregnant With pets
Shoot type Portrait Headshot Corporate Fashion / editorial1 Wedding3 Engagement Maternity Newborn Family Graduation Boudoir Fitness / sport Dance Lifestyle Street Cosplay Product with model1
Crop How much of the subject is in frame.
Full body1 Knee up Waist up Chest up2 Close-up1 Detail Environmental
Lens Focal lengths this pose is built for, in 35mm equivalent.
Wide (up to 35mm) Normal (40–58mm)3 Short telephoto (70–105mm)1 Telephoto (135mm and up)
Camera angle Eye level4 Low angle High angle Overhead Worm's eye Dutch tilt Over the shoulder
Facing Front on Three-quarter turn4 Profile Back to camera
Body position Standing3 Walking Sitting Kneeling Crouching Lying on back Lying on front Lying on side Leaning1 Reclining Jumping Twisting Dancing
Location Studio1 Home interior Window-light interior Café / restaurant Urban street 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.
Wall1 Corner Floor / ground Stairs / steps Chair Stool Bench Table / desk Bed Sofa Ladder Railing Fence Doorway / arch Window sill Column / pillar Mirror Tree / branch1 Rock / boulder Curb / kerb Bicycle Umbrella / parasol Hat Fabric / drape1 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 hair Framing the face Arms crossed Behind back Clasped Touching collar or jewellery4 Holding an object4 One hand raised On thighs or knees
Gaze At camera1 Off camera1 Eyes closed At the other person2 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 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 Casual1 Jeans Business casual Suit3 Evening gown3 Flowy dress Structured dress Skirt Athleisure 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 only Avoid short skirt Avoid tight clothing1 Footwear is visible1 Needs pockets Long sleeves help1
Contact with the ground Pairs with the cleanliness rating: what the clothes actually touch.
No ground contact3 Sitting on the ground Lying on the ground Kneeling on the ground Back or hands against a wall Wet1 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 briefly Needs flexibility Needs strength1 Needs balance Hard on the knees Not for a first-time model Works for anyone
Mood Joyful2 Serene4 Confident1 Sensual Melancholic Playful Candid Intense Dreamy1 Vulnerable Aloof
Lighting Window light Golden hour1 Backlit / rim Hard sun Overcast2 One-light studio1 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 space2 Open space2
Frame Portrait (2:3, 4:5)3 Landscape (3:2)1 Square (1:1) Vertical video (9:16)
Time and weather Golden hour3 Blue hour Midday1 Night Needs direct sun Works overcast Rain Snow Wind helps
Works well for Who this pose actually flatters.
Petite frames3 Tall frames3 Plus size Pregnancy Limited mobility Kids Seniors Groups Gives the hands a job1 Defines the jawline Lengthens the legs
