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 Solo12 Couple3 Trio Small group (4–6) Large group (7+)
Who is in frame Woman15 Man3 Any / unspecified Child Newborn Teen Senior Family Pregnant With pets
Shoot type Portrait8 Headshot Corporate Fashion / editorial3 Wedding3 Engagement Maternity Newborn Family Graduation Boudoir3 Fitness / sport Dance Lifestyle4 Street Cosplay Product with model1
Crop How much of the subject is in frame.
Full body2 Knee up6 Waist up3 Chest up4 Close-up1 Detail Environmental
Lens Focal lengths this pose is built for, in 35mm equivalent.
Wide (up to 35mm) Normal (40–58mm)14 Short telephoto (70–105mm)1 Telephoto (135mm and up)
Camera angle Eye level13 Low angle High angle2 Overhead Worm's eye Dutch tilt Over the shoulder
Facing Front on3 Three-quarter turn12 Profile Back to camera
Body position Standing5 Walking Sitting6 Kneeling1 Crouching Lying on back1 Lying on front Lying on side1 Leaning2 Reclining Jumping Twisting Dancing
Location Studio4 Home interior3 Window-light interior Café / restaurant Urban street2 Rooftop Forest2 Field / meadow1 Beach / water2 Mountain Desert1 Pool4 Gym Car / vehicle Snow
Props and supports What the location has to provide for this pose to work.
Wall5 Corner Floor / ground1 Stairs / steps1 Chair Stool Bench Table / desk Bed2 Sofa Ladder Railing3 Fence Doorway / arch Window sill Column / pillar Mirror Tree / branch1 Rock / boulder Curb / kerb Bicycle Umbrella / parasol Hat Fabric / drape3 Flowers2 Book Phone Drink Musical instrument Sports equipment No props needed1
What the hands do The problem every model asks about first.
In pockets On hips In hair5 Framing the face Arms crossed1 Behind back Clasped3 Touching collar or jewellery4 Holding an object6 One hand raised3 On thighs or knees4
Gaze At camera8 Off camera2 Eyes closed1 At the other person2 Down2 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 anything1 Casual6 Jeans4 Business casual Suit3 Evening gown3 Flowy dress2 Structured dress1 Skirt5 Athleisure4 Swimwear2 Lingerie1 Jacket3 Outerwear (unsorted) Long coat / trench Traditional / cultural dress Costume Nude or implied
Wardrobe constraints Things to tell the client before they pack.
Needs flowing fabric6 Needs heels Flat shoes only Avoid short skirt Avoid tight clothing1 Footwear is visible4 Needs pockets2 Long sleeves help3
Contact with the ground Pairs with the cleanliness rating: what the clothes actually touch.
No ground contact3 Sitting on the ground5 Lying on the ground1 Kneeling on the ground1 Back or hands against a wall3 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 first1 Looks odd in person Can only hold it briefly1 Needs flexibility1 Needs strength1 Needs balance Hard on the knees1 Not for a first-time model2 Works for anyone
Mood Joyful3 Serene15 Confident9 Sensual2 Melancholic Playful Candid Intense Dreamy1 Vulnerable1 Aloof
Lighting Window light6 Golden hour4 Backlit / rim Hard sun3 Overcast3 One-light studio4 Rembrandt Loop Butterfly Split High key2 Low key Night / neon1 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 space12 Open space3
Frame Portrait (2:3, 4:5)14 Landscape (3:2)1 Square (1:1) Vertical video (9:16)
Time and weather Golden hour9 Blue hour Midday5 Night1 Needs direct sun Works overcast Rain Snow Wind helps
Works well for Who this pose actually flatters.
Petite frames10 Tall frames8 Plus size Pregnancy Limited mobility Kids Seniors Groups Gives the hands a job6 Defines the jawline Lengthens the legs4
