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 Portrait8 Headshot Corporate1 Fashion / editorial2 Wedding Engagement Maternity Newborn Family Graduation Boudoir Fitness / sport Dance Lifestyle4 Street Cosplay Product with model
Crop How much of the subject is in frame.
Full body Knee up5 Waist up5 Chest up Close-up 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)1 Telephoto (135mm and up)1
Camera angle Eye level10 Low angle High angle Overhead Worm's eye Dutch tilt Over the shoulder
Facing Front on4 Three-quarter turn6 Profile Back to camera
Body position Standing4 Walking Sitting5 Kneeling Crouching Lying on back Lying on front Lying on side Leaning1 Reclining Jumping Twisting Dancing
Location Studio4 Home interior2 Window-light interior1 Café / restaurant1 Urban street4 Rooftop1 Forest Field / meadow1 Beach / water Mountain Desert Pool2 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 Sofa1 Ladder Railing2 Fence Doorway / arch Window sill Column / pillar Mirror Tree / branch Rock / boulder Curb / kerb Bicycle Umbrella / parasol Hat Fabric / drape Flowers Book Phone Drink Musical instrument Sports equipment No props needed3
What the hands do The problem every model asks about first.
In pockets3 On hips1 In hair3 Framing the face Arms crossed Behind back Clasped3 Touching collar or jewellery Holding an object1 One hand raised On thighs or knees3
Gaze At camera7 Off camera1 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 Casual8 Jeans10 Business casual1 Suit1 Evening gown Flowy dress Structured dress Skirt2 Athleisure3 Swimwear Lingerie Jacket5 Outerwear (unsorted)2 Long coat / trench1 Traditional / cultural dress Costume Nude or implied
Wardrobe constraints Things to tell the client before they pack.
Needs flowing fabric Needs heels Flat shoes only Avoid short skirt1 Avoid tight clothing Footwear is visible3 Needs pockets6 Long sleeves help4
Contact with the ground Pairs with the cleanliness rating: what the clothes actually touch.
No ground contact4 Sitting on the ground5 Lying on the ground Kneeling on the ground Back or hands against a wall1 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 strength1 Needs balance1 Hard on the knees Not for a first-time model1 Works for anyone1
Mood Joyful Serene4 Confident9 Sensual Melancholic1 Playful Candid Intense Dreamy Vulnerable1 Aloof
Lighting Window light4 Golden hour2 Backlit / rim1 Hard sun2 Overcast2 One-light studio4 Rembrandt1 Loop1 Butterfly1 Split High key2 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 space10 Open space
Frame Portrait (2:3, 4:5)10 Landscape (3:2)1 Square (1:1)1 Vertical video (9:16)
Time and weather Golden hour2 Blue hour Midday4 Night2 Needs direct sun Works overcast2 Rain Snow Wind helps
Works well for Who this pose actually flatters.
Petite frames3 Tall frames6 Plus size Pregnancy Limited mobility Kids Seniors Groups Gives the hands a job4 Defines the jawline Lengthens the legs4
