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 Solo8 Couple Trio Small group (4–6) Large group (7+)
Who is in frame Woman7 Man1 Any / unspecified Child Newborn Teen Senior Family Pregnant With pets
Shoot type Portrait5 Headshot Corporate1 Fashion / editorial1 Wedding Engagement Maternity Newborn Family Graduation Boudoir2 Fitness / sport Dance Lifestyle3 Street Cosplay Product with model
Crop How much of the subject is in frame.
Full body1 Knee up5 Waist up2 Chest up1 Close-up Detail Environmental
Lens Focal lengths this pose is built for, in 35mm equivalent.
Wide (up to 35mm)1 Normal (40–58mm)8 Short telephoto (70–105mm)1 Telephoto (135mm and up)1
Camera angle Eye level7 Low angle High angle1 Overhead Worm's eye Dutch tilt Over the shoulder
Facing Front on4 Three-quarter turn4 Profile Back to camera
Body position Standing2 Walking Sitting5 Kneeling1 Crouching Lying on back1 Lying on front Lying on side Leaning Reclining Jumping Twisting Dancing
Location Studio2 Home interior3 Window-light interior1 Café / restaurant1 Urban street2 Rooftop1 Forest Field / meadow2 Beach / water Mountain Desert Pool2 Gym Car / vehicle Snow
Props and supports What the location has to provide for this pose to work.
Wall2 Corner Floor / ground1 Stairs / steps1 Chair Stool Bench Table / desk Bed1 Sofa1 Ladder Railing2 Fence Doorway / arch Window sill Column / pillar Mirror Tree / branch Rock / boulder Curb / kerb Bicycle Umbrella / parasol Hat Fabric / drape1 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 crossed1 Behind back Clasped3 Touching collar or jewellery Holding an object One hand raised2 On thighs or knees3
Gaze At camera6 Off camera1 Eyes closed1 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 anything1 Casual3 Jeans4 Business casual1 Suit Evening gown Flowy dress2 Structured dress Skirt2 Athleisure2 Swimwear2 Lingerie1 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 fabric3 Needs heels Flat shoes only 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 ground4 Lying on the ground1 Kneeling on the ground1 Back or hands against a wall Wet Sand 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 briefly Needs flexibility1 Needs strength1 Needs balance1 Hard on the knees1 Not for a first-time model1 Works for anyone
Mood Joyful1 Serene6 Confident7 Sensual1 Melancholic Playful Candid Intense Dreamy Vulnerable Aloof
Lighting Window light8 Golden hour2 Backlit / rim1 Hard sun2 Overcast2 One-light studio2 Rembrandt1 Loop1 Butterfly1 Split High key1 Low key Night / neon2 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 space7 Open space1
Frame Portrait (2:3, 4:5)8 Landscape (3:2)1 Square (1:1)1 Vertical video (9:16)
Time and weather Golden hour4 Blue hour Midday2 Night1 Needs direct sun Works overcast1 Rain Snow Wind helps
Works well for Who this pose actually flatters.
Petite frames4 Tall frames4 Plus size Pregnancy Limited mobility Kids Seniors Groups Gives the hands a job3 Defines the jawline Lengthens the legs4
