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 Couple2 Trio Small group (4–6) Large group (7+)
Who is in frame Woman6 Man2 Any / unspecified Child Newborn Teen Senior Family Pregnant With pets
Shoot type Portrait2 Headshot Corporate1 Fashion / editorial2 Wedding2 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 body Knee up1 Waist up3 Chest up2 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 Standing6 Walking Sitting Kneeling Crouching Lying on back Lying on front Lying on side Leaning Reclining Jumping Twisting Dancing
Location Studio2 Home interior1 Window-light interior1 Café / restaurant1 Urban street2 Rooftop1 Forest2 Field / meadow2 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 / arch1 Window sill Column / pillar1 Mirror Tree / branch1 Rock / boulder Curb / kerb Bicycle Umbrella / parasol Hat Fabric / drape Flowers2 Book Phone Drink Musical instrument Sports equipment No props needed2
What the hands do The problem every model asks about first.
In pockets2 On hips In hair2 Framing the face Arms crossed Behind back Clasped Touching collar or jewellery2 Holding an object3 One hand raised1 On thighs or knees
Gaze At camera3 Off camera2 Eyes closed At the other person1 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 Embracing2 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 Jeans2 Business casual1 Suit2 Evening gown2 Flowy dress Structured dress1 Skirt2 Athleisure1 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 only Avoid short skirt Avoid tight clothing1 Footwear is visible Needs pockets2 Long sleeves help1
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 Wet1 Sand Grass1 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 strength Needs balance Hard on the knees Not for a first-time model1 Works for anyone
Mood Joyful2 Serene3 Confident4 Sensual1 Melancholic Playful Candid Intense Dreamy Vulnerable Aloof
Lighting Window light2 Golden hour2 Backlit / rim1 Hard sun2 Overcast6 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 space4 Open space2
Frame Portrait (2:3, 4:5)6 Landscape (3:2)1 Square (1:1)1 Vertical video (9:16)
Time and weather Golden hour3 Blue hour Midday1 Night Needs direct sun Works overcast1 Rain1 Snow Wind helps
Works well for Who this pose actually flatters.
Petite frames2 Tall frames6 Plus size Pregnancy Limited mobility Kids Seniors Groups Gives the hands a job2 Defines the jawline Lengthens the legs
