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 Solo2 Couple Trio Small group (4–6) Large group (7+)
Who is in frame Woman2 Man Any / unspecified Child Newborn Teen Senior Family Pregnant With pets
Shoot type Portrait1 Headshot Corporate Fashion / editorial1 Wedding Engagement Maternity Newborn Family Graduation Boudoir Fitness / sport Dance Lifestyle Street Cosplay Product with model
Crop How much of the subject is in frame.
Full body Knee up1 Waist up1 Chest up Close-up Detail Environmental
Lens Focal lengths this pose is built for, in 35mm equivalent.
Wide (up to 35mm) Normal (40–58mm)2 Short telephoto (70–105mm) Telephoto (135mm and up)
Camera angle Eye level2 Low angle High angle Overhead Worm's eye Dutch tilt Over the shoulder
Facing Front on1 Three-quarter turn1 Profile Back to camera
Body position Standing1 Walking Sitting1 Kneeling1 Crouching Lying on back Lying on front Lying on side Leaning Reclining Jumping Twisting Dancing
Location Studio Home interior Window-light interior Café / restaurant Urban street Rooftop Forest Field / meadow1 Beach / water Mountain Desert Pool1 Gym Car / vehicle Snow
Props and supports What the location has to provide for this pose to work.
Wall Corner Floor / ground Stairs / steps Chair Stool Bench Table / desk Bed Sofa Ladder Railing1 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 needed1
What the hands do The problem every model asks about first.
In pockets On hips In hair1 Framing the face Arms crossed Behind back Clasped1 Touching collar or jewellery Holding an object One hand raised1 On thighs or knees1
Gaze At camera1 Off camera1 Eyes closed At the other person Down 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 Casual Jeans Business casual Suit Evening gown Flowy dress1 Structured dress Skirt Athleisure1 Swimwear2 Lingerie Jacket Outerwear (unsorted) 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 only Avoid short skirt Avoid tight clothing Footwear is visible Needs pockets Long sleeves help
Contact with the ground Pairs with the cleanliness rating: what the clothes actually touch.
No ground contact Sitting on the ground Lying on the ground Kneeling on the ground1 Back or hands against a wall 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 balance Hard on the knees1 Not for a first-time model1 Works for anyone
Mood Joyful Serene2 Confident2 Sensual1 Melancholic Playful Candid Intense Dreamy Vulnerable Aloof
Lighting Window light2 Golden hour1 Backlit / rim Hard sun1 Overcast1 One-light studio1 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 space1 Open space1
Frame Portrait (2:3, 4:5)2 Landscape (3:2) Square (1:1) Vertical video (9:16)
Time and weather Golden hour1 Blue hour Midday1 Night Needs direct sun Works overcast Rain Snow Wind helps
Works well for Who this pose actually flatters.
Petite frames1 Tall frames1 Plus size Pregnancy Limited mobility Kids Seniors Groups Gives the hands a job1 Defines the jawline Lengthens the legs1
