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 Solo7 Couple3 Trio Small group (4–6) Large group (7+)
Who is in frame Woman9 Man4 Any / unspecified Child Newborn Teen Senior Family Pregnant With pets
Shoot type Portrait4 Headshot Corporate Fashion / editorial1 Wedding3 Engagement Maternity Newborn Family Graduation Boudoir3 Fitness / sport Dance Lifestyle3 Street1 Cosplay Product with model
Crop How much of the subject is in frame.
Full body2 Knee up4 Waist up2 Chest up3 Close-up 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) Telephoto (135mm and up)
Camera angle Eye level9 Low angle High angle1 Overhead Worm's eye Dutch tilt Over the shoulder
Facing Front on1 Three-quarter turn9 Profile Back to camera
Body position Standing5 Walking Sitting3 Kneeling Crouching Lying on back1 Lying on front Lying on side Leaning2 Reclining Jumping Twisting Dancing
Location Studio1 Home interior2 Window-light interior Café / restaurant Urban street2 Rooftop Forest2 Field / meadow1 Beach / water1 Mountain Desert Pool1 Gym Car / vehicle Snow
Props and supports What the location has to provide for this pose to work.
Wall2 Corner Floor / ground1 Stairs / steps Chair Stool Bench Table / desk Bed2 Sofa Ladder Railing1 Fence Doorway / arch Window sill Column / pillar1 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 hair2 Framing the face Arms crossed1 Behind back Clasped1 Touching collar or jewellery3 Holding an object6 One hand raised2 On thighs or knees2
Gaze At camera5 Off camera1 Eyes closed1 At the other person2 Down1 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 Casual4 Jeans2 Business casual Suit3 Evening gown3 Flowy dress1 Structured dress Skirt2 Athleisure3 Swimwear1 Lingerie1 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 fabric4 Needs heels Flat shoes only1 Avoid short skirt Avoid tight clothing1 Footwear is visible3 Needs pockets2 Long sleeves help3
Contact with the ground Pairs with the cleanliness rating: what the clothes actually touch.
No ground contact2 Sitting on the ground3 Lying on the ground1 Kneeling on the ground Back or hands against a wall2 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 balance1 Hard on the knees Not for a first-time model1 Works for anyone
Mood Joyful3 Serene9 Confident5 Sensual2 Melancholic Playful Candid Intense Dreamy1 Vulnerable Aloof
Lighting Window light4 Golden hour5 Backlit / rim Hard sun1 Overcast3 One-light studio2 Rembrandt Loop Butterfly Split High key 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 space6 Open space4
Frame Portrait (2:3, 4:5)9 Landscape (3:2)1 Square (1:1) Vertical video (9:16)
Time and weather Golden hour10 Blue hour Midday Night Needs direct sun Works overcast Rain Snow Wind helps
Works well for Who this pose actually flatters.
Petite frames7 Tall frames6 Plus size Pregnancy Limited mobility Kids Seniors Groups Gives the hands a job3 Defines the jawline Lengthens the legs2
