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 Couple Trio Small group (4–6) Large group (7+)
Who is in frame Woman7 Man Any / unspecified Child Newborn Teen Senior Family Pregnant With pets
Shoot type Portrait5 Headshot Corporate1 Fashion / editorial2 Wedding Engagement Maternity Newborn Family Graduation Boudoir2 Fitness / sport Dance Lifestyle1 Street Cosplay Product with model
Crop How much of the subject is in frame.
Full body1 Knee up4 Waist up2 Chest up1 Close-up Detail Environmental
Lens Focal lengths this pose is built for, in 35mm equivalent.
Wide (up to 35mm)1 Normal (40–58mm)7 Short telephoto (70–105mm)1 Telephoto (135mm and up)1
Camera angle Eye level6 Low angle High angle1 Overhead Worm's eye Dutch tilt Over the shoulder
Facing Front on2 Three-quarter turn5 Profile Back to camera
Body position Standing3 Walking Sitting3 Kneeling Crouching Lying on back Lying on front Lying on side1 Leaning Reclining Jumping Twisting Dancing
Location Studio4 Home interior3 Window-light interior1 Café / restaurant1 Urban street2 Rooftop1 Forest Field / meadow1 Beach / water1 Mountain Desert1 Pool2 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 Bed1 Sofa Ladder Railing1 Fence Doorway / arch1 Window sill Column / pillar1 Mirror Tree / branch Rock / boulder Curb / kerb Bicycle Umbrella / parasol Hat Fabric / drape1 Flowers Book Phone Drink Musical instrument Sports equipment No props needed1
What the hands do The problem every model asks about first.
In pockets1 On hips In hair3 Framing the face Arms crossed Behind back Clasped1 Touching collar or jewellery Holding an object2 One hand raised1 On thighs or knees2
Gaze At camera5 Off camera Eyes closed At the other person Down2 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 anything1 Casual2 Jeans2 Business casual1 Suit Evening gown Flowy dress1 Structured dress2 Skirt7 Athleisure1 Swimwear Lingerie Jacket2 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 fabric1 Needs heels Flat shoes only Avoid short skirt Avoid tight clothing Footwear is visible2 Needs pockets1 Long sleeves help1
Contact with the ground Pairs with the cleanliness rating: what the clothes actually touch.
No ground contact1 Sitting on the ground3 Lying on the ground Kneeling on the ground Back or hands against a wall2 Wet1 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 briefly1 Needs flexibility Needs strength Needs balance Hard on the knees Not for a first-time model1 Works for anyone
Mood Joyful Serene5 Confident5 Sensual1 Melancholic Playful Candid Intense Dreamy Vulnerable1 Aloof
Lighting Window light2 Golden hour2 Backlit / rim1 Hard sun3 Overcast2 One-light studio3 Rembrandt1 Loop1 Butterfly1 Split High key2 Low key 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 space7 Open space
Frame Portrait (2:3, 4:5)7 Landscape (3:2)1 Square (1:1)1 Vertical video (9:16)
Time and weather Golden hour2 Blue hour Midday4 Night Needs direct sun Works overcast Rain1 Snow Wind helps
Works well for Who this pose actually flatters.
Petite frames3 Tall frames4 Plus size Pregnancy Limited mobility Kids Seniors Groups Gives the hands a job4 Defines the jawline Lengthens the legs2
