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 Couple Trio Small group (4–6) Large group (7+)
Who is in frame Woman4 Man Any / unspecified Child Newborn Teen Senior Family Pregnant With pets
Shoot type Portrait4 Headshot Corporate Fashion / editorial1 Wedding 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 up3 Waist up Chest up1 Close-up Detail Environmental
Lens Focal lengths this pose is built for, in 35mm equivalent.
Wide (up to 35mm) Normal (40–58mm)4 Short telephoto (70–105mm) Telephoto (135mm and up)
Camera angle Eye level3 Low angle High angle1 Overhead Worm's eye Dutch tilt Over the shoulder
Facing Front on3 Three-quarter turn1 Profile Back to camera
Body position Standing Walking Sitting3 Kneeling1 Crouching Lying on back Lying on front Lying on side1 Leaning Reclining Jumping Twisting Dancing
Location Studio1 Home interior1 Window-light interior Café / restaurant Urban street Rooftop Forest Field / meadow Beach / water1 Mountain Desert1 Pool4 Gym Car / vehicle Snow
Props and supports What the location has to provide for this pose to work.
Wall Corner Floor / ground Stairs / steps Chair Stool Bench Table / desk Bed Sofa Ladder Railing3 Fence Doorway / arch Window sill Column / pillar Mirror Tree / branch Rock / boulder Curb / kerb Bicycle Umbrella / parasol Hat Fabric / drape Flowers 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 Clasped3 Touching collar or jewellery Holding an object One hand raised On thighs or knees1
Gaze At camera3 Off camera Eyes closed At the other person 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 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 anything Casual2 Jeans2 Business casual Suit Evening gown Flowy dress1 Structured dress1 Skirt2 Athleisure Swimwear1 Lingerie Jacket2 Outerwear (unsorted) Long coat / trench Traditional / cultural dress Costume Nude or implied
Wardrobe constraints Things to tell the client before they pack.
Needs flowing fabric1 Needs heels Flat shoes only Avoid short skirt Avoid tight clothing Footwear is visible1 Needs pockets1 Long sleeves help1
Contact with the ground Pairs with the cleanliness rating: what the clothes actually touch.
No ground contact Sitting on the ground2 Lying on the ground Kneeling on the ground1 Back or hands against a wall1 Wet Sand Grass 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 flexibility Needs strength Needs balance Hard on the knees1 Not for a first-time model Works for anyone
Mood Joyful Serene4 Confident3 Sensual Melancholic Playful Candid Intense Dreamy Vulnerable1 Aloof
Lighting Window light2 Golden hour Backlit / rim Hard sun1 Overcast 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 space4 Open space
Frame Portrait (2:3, 4:5)4 Landscape (3:2) Square (1:1) Vertical video (9:16)
Time and weather Golden hour1 Blue hour Midday3 Night Needs direct sun Works overcast Rain Snow Wind helps
Works well for Who this pose actually flatters.
Petite frames3 Tall frames1 Plus size Pregnancy Limited mobility Kids Seniors Groups Gives the hands a job1 Defines the jawline Lengthens the legs3
