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 Couple1 Trio Small group (4–6) Large group (7+)
Who is in frame Woman5 Man2 Any / unspecified Child Newborn Teen Senior Family Pregnant With pets
Shoot type Portrait3 Headshot Corporate1 Fashion / editorial1 Wedding1 Engagement Maternity Newborn Family Graduation Boudoir1 Fitness / sport Dance Lifestyle2 Street1 Cosplay Product with model
Crop How much of the subject is in frame.
Full body1 Knee up2 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)6 Short telephoto (70–105mm)1 Telephoto (135mm and up)1
Camera angle Eye level6 Low angle High angle Overhead Worm's eye Dutch tilt Over the shoulder
Facing Front on1 Three-quarter turn5 Profile Back to camera
Body position Standing4 Walking Sitting1 Kneeling Crouching Lying on back Lying on front Lying on side Leaning2 Reclining Jumping Twisting Dancing
Location Studio1 Home interior2 Window-light interior1 Café / restaurant1 Urban street3 Rooftop1 Forest Field / meadow2 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 Bed1 Sofa Ladder Railing Fence Doorway / arch Window sill Column / pillar1 Mirror Tree / branch Rock / boulder Curb / kerb Bicycle Umbrella / parasol Hat Fabric / drape2 Flowers Book Phone Drink Musical instrument Sports equipment No props needed2
What the hands do The problem every model asks about first.
In pockets1 On hips In hair3 Framing the face Arms crossed Behind back Clasped Touching collar or jewellery1 Holding an object4 One hand raised1 On thighs or knees1
Gaze At camera3 Off camera1 Eyes closed At the other person1 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 hands Embracing1 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 casual1 Suit1 Evening gown1 Flowy dress Structured dress Skirt2 Athleisure3 Swimwear1 Lingerie Jacket1 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 fabric2 Needs heels Flat shoes only1 Avoid short skirt Avoid tight clothing Footwear is visible2 Needs pockets2 Long sleeves help2
Contact with the ground Pairs with the cleanliness rating: what the clothes actually touch.
No ground contact1 Sitting on the ground1 Lying on the ground Kneeling on the ground Back or hands against a wall2 Wet1 Sand1 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 briefly1 Needs flexibility Needs strength1 Needs balance1 Hard on the knees Not for a first-time model1 Works for anyone
Mood Joyful Serene4 Confident4 Sensual2 Melancholic Playful Candid Intense Dreamy1 Vulnerable Aloof
Lighting Window light2 Golden hour6 Backlit / rim1 Hard sun2 Overcast2 One-light studio3 Rembrandt1 Loop1 Butterfly1 Split High key1 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 space3 Open space3
Frame Portrait (2:3, 4:5)5 Landscape (3:2)2 Square (1:1)1 Vertical video (9:16)
Time and weather Golden hour5 Blue hour Midday1 Night Needs direct sun Works overcast Rain Snow Wind helps
Works well for Who this pose actually flatters.
Petite frames2 Tall frames4 Plus size Pregnancy Limited mobility Kids Seniors Groups Gives the hands a job4 Defines the jawline Lengthens the legs
