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 Solo6 Couple Trio Small group (4–6) Large group (7+)
Who is in frame Woman5 Man1 Any / unspecified Child Newborn Teen Senior Family Pregnant With pets
Shoot type Portrait5 Headshot Corporate Fashion / editorial1 Wedding Engagement Maternity Newborn Family Graduation Boudoir Fitness / sport Dance Lifestyle3 Street1 Cosplay Product with model
Crop How much of the subject is in frame.
Full body Knee up3 Waist up3 Chest up Close-up Detail Environmental
Lens Focal lengths this pose is built for, in 35mm equivalent.
Wide (up to 35mm) Normal (40–58mm)6 Short telephoto (70–105mm) Telephoto (135mm and up)
Camera angle Eye level6 Low angle High angle Overhead Worm's eye Dutch tilt Over the shoulder
Facing Front on Three-quarter turn6 Profile Back to camera
Body position Standing3 Walking Sitting2 Kneeling Crouching Lying on back Lying on front Lying on side Leaning2 Reclining Jumping Twisting Dancing
Location Studio1 Home interior Window-light interior Café / restaurant Urban street4 Rooftop Forest Field / meadow1 Beach / water Mountain Desert Pool Gym Car / vehicle Snow
Props and supports What the location has to provide for this pose to work.
Wall3 Corner Floor / ground Stairs / steps2 Chair Stool Bench Table / desk Bed Sofa Ladder Railing Fence Doorway / arch Window sill Column / pillar1 Mirror Tree / branch Rock / boulder Curb / kerb Bicycle Umbrella / parasol Hat Fabric / drape Flowers 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 hair4 Framing the face Arms crossed Behind back Clasped Touching collar or jewellery Holding an object2 One hand raised2 On thighs or knees2
Gaze At camera4 Off camera1 Eyes closed At the other person 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 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 Jeans3 Business casual Suit Evening gown Flowy dress Structured dress Skirt1 Athleisure6 Swimwear1 Lingerie Jacket 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 fabric2 Needs heels Flat shoes only1 Avoid short skirt1 Avoid tight clothing Footwear is visible3 Needs pockets1 Long sleeves help2
Contact with the ground Pairs with the cleanliness rating: what the clothes actually touch.
No ground contact 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 briefly Needs flexibility Needs strength Needs balance1 Hard on the knees Not for a first-time model2 Works for anyone1
Mood Joyful Serene4 Confident5 Sensual1 Melancholic1 Playful Candid Intense Dreamy Vulnerable1 Aloof
Lighting Window light2 Golden hour3 Backlit / rim Hard sun2 Overcast1 One-light studio1 Rembrandt Loop Butterfly Split High key Low key Night / neon1 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 space4 Open space2
Frame Portrait (2:3, 4:5)6 Landscape (3:2) Square (1:1) Vertical video (9:16)
Time and weather Golden hour3 Blue hour Midday1 Night2 Needs direct sun Works overcast Rain Snow Wind helps
Works well for Who this pose actually flatters.
Petite frames2 Tall frames4 Plus size Pregnancy Limited mobility Kids Seniors Groups Gives the hands a job3 Defines the jawline Lengthens the legs1
