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 Solo11 Couple Trio Small group (4–6) Large group (7+)
Who is in frame Woman10 Man Any / unspecified Child1 Newborn Teen Senior Family Pregnant With pets
Shoot type Portrait7 Headshot Corporate1 Fashion / editorial6 Wedding Engagement Maternity Newborn Family Graduation Boudoir1 Fitness / sport Dance Lifestyle Street Cosplay Product with model1
Crop How much of the subject is in frame.
Full body2 Knee up2 Waist up4 Chest up2 Close-up1 Detail Environmental
Lens Focal lengths this pose is built for, in 35mm equivalent.
Wide (up to 35mm)1 Normal (40–58mm)10 Short telephoto (70–105mm)2 Telephoto (135mm and up)1
Camera angle Eye level10 Low angle High angle1 Overhead Worm's eye Dutch tilt Over the shoulder
Facing Front on5 Three-quarter turn6 Profile Back to camera
Body position Standing7 Walking Sitting2 Kneeling1 Crouching Lying on back Lying on front Lying on side1 Leaning1 Reclining Jumping Twisting Dancing
Location Studio9 Home interior2 Window-light interior1 Café / restaurant1 Urban street1 Rooftop1 Forest Field / meadow1 Beach / water1 Mountain Desert1 Pool3 Gym Car / vehicle Snow
Props and supports What the location has to provide for this pose to work.
Wall2 Corner Floor / ground Stairs / steps Chair Stool Bench Table / desk Bed Sofa Ladder Railing2 Fence Doorway / arch Window sill Column / pillar Mirror Tree / branch Rock / boulder Curb / kerb Bicycle Umbrella / parasol Hat1 Fabric / drape Flowers Book Phone Drink Musical instrument Sports equipment No props needed5
What the hands do The problem every model asks about first.
In pockets3 On hips3 In hair4 Framing the face Arms crossed1 Behind back Clasped2 Touching collar or jewellery1 Holding an object1 One hand raised1 On thighs or knees2
Gaze At camera7 Off camera2 Eyes closed At the other person Down1 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 Casual4 Jeans4 Business casual1 Suit1 Evening gown2 Flowy dress2 Structured dress2 Skirt4 Athleisure1 Swimwear1 Lingerie Jacket5 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 visible2 Needs pockets4 Long sleeves help2
Contact with the ground Pairs with the cleanliness rating: what the clothes actually touch.
No ground contact7 Sitting on the ground1 Lying on the ground 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 first Looks odd in person Can only hold it briefly Needs flexibility Needs strength Needs balance Hard on the knees1 Not for a first-time model3 Works for anyone
Mood Joyful Serene5 Confident10 Sensual1 Melancholic Playful Candid Intense Dreamy Vulnerable1 Aloof
Lighting Window light2 Golden hour1 Backlit / rim1 Hard sun3 Overcast1 One-light studio8 Rembrandt1 Loop1 Butterfly1 Split High key6 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 space11 Open space
Frame Portrait (2:3, 4:5)11 Landscape (3:2)1 Square (1:1)1 Vertical video (9:16)
Time and weather Golden hour Blue hour Midday11 Night Needs direct sun Works overcast Rain Snow Wind helps
Works well for Who this pose actually flatters.
Petite frames3 Tall frames7 Plus size Pregnancy Limited mobility Kids1 Seniors Groups Gives the hands a job6 Defines the jawline Lengthens the legs2
