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 Woman5 Man2 Any / unspecified Child Newborn Teen Senior Family Pregnant With pets
Shoot type Portrait3 Headshot Corporate Fashion / editorial3 Wedding Engagement Maternity Newborn Family Graduation Boudoir Fitness / sport Dance Lifestyle2 Street1 Cosplay Product with model1
Crop How much of the subject is in frame.
Full body Knee up4 Waist up2 Chest up Close-up1 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)1 Telephoto (135mm and up)
Camera angle Eye level7 Low angle High angle Overhead Worm's eye Dutch tilt Over the shoulder
Facing Front on2 Three-quarter turn5 Profile Back to camera
Body position Standing3 Walking Sitting2 Kneeling Crouching Lying on back Lying on front Lying on side Leaning3 Reclining Jumping Twisting Dancing
Location Studio2 Home interior1 Window-light interior Café / restaurant Urban street3 Rooftop Forest Field / meadow Beach / water Mountain Desert Pool1 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 Sofa1 Ladder Railing1 Fence Doorway / arch1 Window sill Column / pillar2 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 hips1 In hair1 Framing the face Arms crossed Behind back Clasped2 Touching collar or jewellery1 Holding an object4 One hand raised On thighs or knees
Gaze At camera5 Off camera1 Eyes closed At the other person Down 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 Casual5 Jeans4 Business casual Suit1 Evening gown Flowy dress Structured dress1 Skirt1 Athleisure2 Swimwear Lingerie Jacket3 Outerwear (unsorted) Long coat / trench Traditional / cultural dress Costume Nude or implied
Wardrobe constraints Things to tell the client before they pack.
Needs flowing fabric Needs heels Flat shoes only1 Avoid short skirt Avoid tight clothing Footwear is visible1 Needs pockets3 Long sleeves help7
Contact with the ground Pairs with the cleanliness rating: what the clothes actually touch.
No ground contact2 Sitting on the ground2 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 briefly Needs flexibility Needs strength1 Needs balance2 Hard on the knees Not for a first-time model1 Works for anyone
Mood Joyful Serene3 Confident7 Sensual Melancholic Playful Candid Intense Dreamy Vulnerable Aloof
Lighting Window light2 Golden hour2 Backlit / rim Hard sun Overcast1 One-light studio2 Rembrandt Loop Butterfly Split High key1 Low key1 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 space6 Open space1
Frame Portrait (2:3, 4:5)7 Landscape (3:2) Square (1:1) Vertical video (9:16)
Time and weather Golden hour3 Blue hour Midday2 Night Needs direct sun Works overcast1 Rain1 Snow Wind helps
Works well for Who this pose actually flatters.
Petite frames3 Tall frames3 Plus size Pregnancy Limited mobility Kids Seniors Groups Gives the hands a job4 Defines the jawline Lengthens the legs2
