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 Solo4 Couple2 Trio Small group (4–6) Large group (7+)
Who is in frame Woman6 Man2 Any / unspecified Child Newborn Teen Senior Family Pregnant With pets
Shoot type Portrait2 Headshot Corporate Fashion / editorial1 Wedding2 Engagement Maternity Newborn Family Graduation Boudoir1 Fitness / sport Dance Lifestyle1 Street Cosplay Product with model
Crop How much of the subject is in frame.
Full body1 Knee up1 Waist up2 Chest up2 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 level5 Low angle High angle1 Overhead Worm's eye Dutch tilt Over the shoulder
Facing Front on1 Three-quarter turn5 Profile Back to camera
Body position Standing4 Walking Sitting1 Kneeling1 Crouching Lying on back1 Lying on front Lying on side Leaning Reclining Jumping Twisting Dancing
Location Studio1 Home interior1 Window-light interior Café / restaurant Urban street Rooftop Forest1 Field / meadow1 Beach / water1 Mountain Desert Pool1 Gym Car / vehicle Snow
Props and supports What the location has to provide for this pose to work.
Wall1 Corner Floor / ground Stairs / steps Chair Stool Bench Table / desk Bed1 Sofa Ladder Railing1 Fence Doorway / arch Window sill Column / pillar Mirror Tree / branch Rock / boulder Curb / kerb Bicycle Umbrella / parasol Hat Fabric / drape2 Flowers1 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 hair2 Framing the face Arms crossed1 Behind back Clasped1 Touching collar or jewellery2 Holding an object2 One hand raised3 On thighs or knees1
Gaze At camera2 Off camera1 Eyes closed1 At the other person2 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 hands1 Embracing2 Back to back Forehead touch1 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 Suit2 Evening gown2 Flowy dress1 Structured dress Skirt1 Athleisure2 Swimwear2 Lingerie1 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 fabric6 Needs heels Flat shoes only Avoid short skirt Avoid tight clothing1 Footwear is visible1 Needs pockets Long sleeves help
Contact with the ground Pairs with the cleanliness rating: what the clothes actually touch.
No ground contact1 Sitting on the ground Lying on the ground1 Kneeling on the ground1 Back or hands against a wall1 Wet1 Sand1 Grass1 Dust or mud
Comfort notes Pairs with the comfort and physical demand ratings — the things that make a model hesitate.
Needs rapport first1 Looks odd in person Can only hold it briefly Needs flexibility1 Needs strength1 Needs balance Hard on the knees1 Not for a first-time model2 Works for anyone
Mood Joyful2 Serene6 Confident3 Sensual1 Melancholic Playful Candid Intense Dreamy1 Vulnerable Aloof
Lighting Window light3 Golden hour2 Backlit / rim Hard sun2 Overcast2 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 space3 Open space3
Frame Portrait (2:3, 4:5)5 Landscape (3:2)1 Square (1:1) Vertical video (9:16)
Time and weather Golden hour4 Blue hour Midday2 Night Needs direct sun Works overcast Rain Snow Wind helps
Works well for Who this pose actually flatters.
Petite frames3 Tall frames5 Plus size Pregnancy Limited mobility Kids Seniors Groups Gives the hands a job2 Defines the jawline Lengthens the legs1
