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 Solo6 Couple Trio Small group (4–6) Large group (7+)
Who is in frame Woman6 Man Any / unspecified Child Newborn Teen Senior Family Pregnant With pets
Shoot type Portrait5 Headshot Corporate Fashion / editorial1 Wedding Engagement Maternity Newborn Family Graduation Boudoir1 Fitness / sport Dance Lifestyle2 Street Cosplay Product with model1
Crop How much of the subject is in frame.
Full body1 Knee up2 Waist up3 Chest up Close-up1 Detail Environmental
Lens Focal lengths this pose is built for, in 35mm equivalent.
Wide (up to 35mm) Normal (40–58mm)5 Short telephoto (70–105mm)1 Telephoto (135mm and up)
Camera angle Eye level6 Low angle High angle Overhead Worm's eye Dutch tilt Over the shoulder
Facing Front on Three-quarter turn6 Profile Back to camera
Body position Standing2 Walking Sitting2 Kneeling Crouching Lying on back Lying on front Lying on side Leaning2 Reclining Jumping Twisting Dancing
Location Studio4 Home interior Window-light interior Café / restaurant Urban street2 Rooftop Forest Field / meadow Beach / water Mountain Desert Pool Gym Car / vehicle Snow
Props and supports What the location has to provide for this pose to work.
Wall6 Corner Floor / ground1 Stairs / steps1 Chair Stool Bench Table / desk Bed Sofa Ladder Railing 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 pockets1 On hips In hair3 Framing the face Arms crossed Behind back Clasped Touching collar or jewellery1 Holding an object2 One hand raised1 On thighs or knees2
Gaze At camera4 Off camera2 Eyes closed 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 Casual4 Jeans3 Business casual Suit Evening gown Flowy dress1 Structured dress Skirt2 Athleisure3 Swimwear Lingerie Jacket1 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 visible2 Needs pockets2 Long sleeves help2
Contact with the ground Pairs with the cleanliness rating: what the clothes actually touch.
No ground contact2 Sitting on the ground2 Lying on the ground Kneeling on the ground Back or hands against a wall2 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 knees Not for a first-time model1 Works for anyone
Mood Joyful Serene5 Confident6 Sensual Melancholic Playful Candid Intense Dreamy Vulnerable Aloof
Lighting Window light2 Golden hour1 Backlit / rim Hard sun1 Overcast1 One-light studio2 Rembrandt Loop Butterfly Split High key1 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 space6 Open space
Frame Portrait (2:3, 4:5)6 Landscape (3:2) Square (1:1) Vertical video (9:16)
Time and weather Golden hour2 Blue hour Midday2 Night1 Needs direct sun Works overcast1 Rain Snow Wind helps
Works well for Who this pose actually flatters.
Petite frames3 Tall frames3 Plus size Pregnancy Limited mobility Kids Seniors Groups Gives the hands a job3 Defines the jawline Lengthens the legs1
