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 Solo13 Couple3 Trio Small group (4–6) Large group (7+)
Who is in frame Woman15 Man4 Any / unspecified Child Newborn Teen Senior Family Pregnant With pets
Shoot type Portrait7 Headshot Corporate1 Fashion / editorial6 Wedding3 Engagement Maternity Newborn Family Graduation Boudoir2 Fitness / sport Dance Lifestyle2 Street1 Cosplay Product with model
Crop How much of the subject is in frame.
Full body3 Knee up4 Waist up6 Chest up3 Close-up Detail Environmental
Lens Focal lengths this pose is built for, in 35mm equivalent.
Wide (up to 35mm)1 Normal (40–58mm)16 Short telephoto (70–105mm)1 Telephoto (135mm and up)1
Camera angle Eye level15 Low angle High angle1 Overhead Worm's eye Dutch tilt Over the shoulder
Facing Front on3 Three-quarter turn13 Profile Back to camera
Body position Standing13 Walking Sitting2 Kneeling Crouching Lying on back1 Lying on front Lying on side Leaning1 Reclining Jumping Twisting Dancing
Location Studio7 Home interior2 Window-light interior1 Café / restaurant1 Urban street4 Rooftop1 Forest2 Field / meadow2 Beach / water1 Mountain Desert Pool1 Gym Car / vehicle Snow
Props and supports What the location has to provide for this pose to work.
Wall3 Corner Floor / ground Stairs / steps1 Chair Stool Bench Table / desk Bed1 Sofa Ladder Railing1 Fence Doorway / arch1 Window sill Column / pillar2 Mirror Tree / branch1 Rock / boulder Curb / kerb Bicycle Umbrella / parasol Hat1 Fabric / drape2 Flowers2 Book Phone Drink Musical instrument Sports equipment No props needed5
What the hands do The problem every model asks about first.
In pockets4 On hips3 In hair5 Framing the face Arms crossed1 Behind back Clasped1 Touching collar or jewellery3 Holding an object5 One hand raised3 On thighs or knees2
Gaze At camera9 Off camera3 Eyes closed1 At the other person2 Down Up1 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 anything Casual6 Jeans6 Business casual1 Suit4 Evening gown4 Flowy dress Structured dress2 Skirt4 Athleisure4 Swimwear1 Lingerie1 Jacket4 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 fabric5 Needs heels Flat shoes only1 Avoid short skirt Avoid tight clothing1 Footwear is visible5 Needs pockets5 Long sleeves help3
Contact with the ground Pairs with the cleanliness rating: what the clothes actually touch.
No ground contact8 Sitting on the ground2 Lying on the ground1 Kneeling on the ground Back or hands against a wall2 Wet2 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 briefly Needs flexibility1 Needs strength1 Needs balance1 Hard on the knees Not for a first-time model4 Works for anyone
Mood Joyful3 Serene8 Confident12 Sensual2 Melancholic Playful Candid Intense Dreamy1 Vulnerable Aloof
Lighting Window light4 Golden hour4 Backlit / rim1 Hard sun4 Overcast6 One-light studio7 Rembrandt1 Loop1 Butterfly1 Split High key3 Low key1 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 space12 Open space4
Frame Portrait (2:3, 4:5)15 Landscape (3:2)2 Square (1:1)1 Vertical video (9:16)
Time and weather Golden hour6 Blue hour Midday7 Night1 Needs direct sun Works overcast1 Rain1 Snow Wind helps
Works well for Who this pose actually flatters.
Petite frames3 Tall frames16 Plus size Pregnancy Limited mobility Kids Seniors Groups Gives the hands a job5 Defines the jawline Lengthens the legs1
