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 Solo10 Couple Trio Small group (4–6) Large group (7+)
Who is in frame Woman9 Man1 Any / unspecified Child Newborn Teen Senior Family Pregnant With pets
Shoot type Portrait4 Headshot Corporate1 Fashion / editorial5 Wedding Engagement Maternity Newborn Family Graduation Boudoir1 Fitness / sport Dance Lifestyle3 Street Cosplay Product with model1
Crop How much of the subject is in frame.
Full body1 Knee up2 Waist up5 Chest up1 Close-up1 Detail Environmental
Lens Focal lengths this pose is built for, in 35mm equivalent.
Wide (up to 35mm)1 Normal (40–58mm)9 Short telephoto (70–105mm)2 Telephoto (135mm and up)1
Camera angle Eye level9 Low angle High angle1 Overhead Worm's eye Dutch tilt Over the shoulder
Facing Front on3 Three-quarter turn7 Profile Back to camera
Body position Standing5 Walking Sitting2 Kneeling Crouching Lying on back Lying on front Lying on side1 Leaning2 Reclining Jumping Twisting Dancing
Location Studio6 Home interior4 Window-light interior1 Café / restaurant1 Urban street2 Rooftop1 Forest Field / meadow2 Beach / water1 Mountain Desert1 Pool1 Gym Car / vehicle Snow
Props and supports What the location has to provide for this pose to work.
Wall3 Corner Floor / ground Stairs / steps Chair Stool Bench Table / desk Bed1 Sofa1 Ladder Railing Fence Doorway / arch Window sill Column / pillar Mirror Tree / branch Rock / boulder Curb / kerb Bicycle Umbrella / parasol Hat Fabric / drape1 Flowers Book Phone Drink Musical instrument Sports equipment No props needed4
What the hands do The problem every model asks about first.
In pockets2 On hips2 In hair5 Framing the face Arms crossed Behind back Clasped1 Touching collar or jewellery1 Holding an object3 One hand raised2 On thighs or knees1
Gaze At camera5 Off camera2 Eyes closed At the other person Down2 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 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 Casual5 Jeans4 Business casual1 Suit1 Evening gown Flowy dress Structured dress1 Skirt4 Athleisure3 Swimwear1 Lingerie Jacket3 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 fabric2 Needs heels Flat shoes only Avoid short skirt Avoid tight clothing Footwear is visible Needs pockets4 Long sleeves help4
Contact with the ground Pairs with the cleanliness rating: what the clothes actually touch.
No ground contact4 Sitting on the ground2 Lying on the ground Kneeling on the ground Back or hands against a wall3 Wet Sand Grass1 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 briefly1 Needs flexibility Needs strength1 Needs balance1 Hard on the knees Not for a first-time model3 Works for anyone
Mood Joyful Serene6 Confident8 Sensual2 Melancholic Playful Candid Intense Dreamy Vulnerable1 Aloof
Lighting Window light3 Golden hour4 Backlit / rim1 Hard sun3 Overcast2 One-light studio7 Rembrandt1 Loop1 Butterfly1 Split High key3 Low key1 Night / neon1 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 space9 Open space1
Frame Portrait (2:3, 4:5)10 Landscape (3:2)1 Square (1:1)1 Vertical video (9:16)
Time and weather Golden hour3 Blue hour Midday6 Night Needs direct sun Works overcast1 Rain Snow Wind helps
Works well for Who this pose actually flatters.
Petite frames4 Tall frames5 Plus size Pregnancy Limited mobility Kids Seniors Groups Gives the hands a job10 Defines the jawline Lengthens the legs1
