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 Solo9 Couple2 Trio Small group (4–6) Large group (7+)
Who is in frame Woman11 Man2 Any / unspecified Child Newborn Teen Senior Family Pregnant With pets
Shoot type Portrait6 Headshot Corporate Fashion / editorial2 Wedding2 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 body1 Knee up5 Waist up1 Chest up4 Close-up1 Detail Environmental
Lens Focal lengths this pose is built for, in 35mm equivalent.
Wide (up to 35mm) Normal (40–58mm)10 Short telephoto (70–105mm)1 Telephoto (135mm and up)
Camera angle Eye level9 Low angle High angle2 Overhead Worm's eye Dutch tilt Over the shoulder
Facing Front on2 Three-quarter turn9 Profile Back to camera
Body position Standing2 Walking Sitting5 Kneeling1 Crouching Lying on back1 Lying on front Lying on side1 Leaning2 Reclining Jumping Twisting Dancing
Location Studio3 Home interior3 Window-light interior Café / restaurant Urban street2 Rooftop Forest2 Field / meadow Beach / water1 Mountain Desert1 Pool3 Gym Car / vehicle Snow
Props and supports What the location has to provide for this pose to work.
Wall3 Corner Floor / ground1 Stairs / steps1 Chair Stool Bench Table / desk Bed2 Sofa Ladder Railing2 Fence Doorway / arch Window sill Column / pillar Mirror Tree / branch1 Rock / boulder Curb / kerb Bicycle Umbrella / parasol Hat Fabric / drape2 Flowers2 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 hair2 Framing the face Arms crossed1 Behind back Clasped2 Touching collar or jewellery3 Holding an object5 One hand raised1 On thighs or knees4
Gaze At camera5 Off camera1 Eyes closed1 At the other person1 Down3 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 anything1 Casual5 Jeans3 Business casual Suit2 Evening gown2 Flowy dress2 Structured dress1 Skirt3 Athleisure2 Swimwear1 Lingerie1 Jacket2 Outerwear (unsorted)1 Long coat / trench 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 skirt1 Avoid tight clothing1 Footwear is visible2 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 ground4 Lying on the ground1 Kneeling on the ground1 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 first1 Looks odd in person Can only hold it briefly1 Needs flexibility1 Needs strength Needs balance Hard on the knees1 Not for a first-time model Works for anyone1
Mood Joyful3 Serene10 Confident5 Sensual1 Melancholic1 Playful Candid Intense Dreamy Vulnerable2 Aloof
Lighting Window light4 Golden hour2 Backlit / rim Hard sun Overcast2 One-light studio3 Rembrandt Loop Butterfly Split High key2 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 space10 Open space1
Frame Portrait (2:3, 4:5)11 Landscape (3:2) Square (1:1) Vertical video (9:16)
Time and weather Golden hour7 Blue hour Midday3 Night1 Needs direct sun Works overcast Rain Snow Wind helps
Works well for Who this pose actually flatters.
Petite frames11 Tall frames3 Plus size Pregnancy Limited mobility Kids Seniors Groups Gives the hands a job4 Defines the jawline Lengthens the legs4
