FULL BODY POSING GUIDE
🕺🏼 modeling isn't just about standing still near a product. it's about storytelling through your body.
🔑 the key to going from just a person next to a product, to a model with a product, is your poses.
🧠 understanding the purpose and impact of poses + body language will completely change the quality of your modeling.
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use our tips + tricks below to help you advance your posing skillset as a full body model!
WHAT IS A POSE?
a specific position of the body that's intentionally crafted to convey a particular mood, emotion, or aesthetic.
contrary to the static nature of photos, posing is a dynamic art that is most successful when using movement, balance, and storytelling.
what makes posing effective?
in addition to telling a story, posing emphasizes body lines, proportions, and angles to create visually striking compositions. an understanding of lighting and angles is also a crucial part to posing effectively!
notice how Tyler V. + Alyse G.'s poses and facial expressions create different energy in each photo.
HOW TO
PRACTICE
PRACTICE
like any skill, practice is crucial.
set aside time regularly to practice posing. the more you practice, the more confident and versatile you'll become in your poses.
use a mirror 🪞
study your body movements in front of a mirror. experiment with different poses, angles, and expressions to help you understand your body's lines and how they can be used to create captivating shapes.work on your posture 🧍
take a moment to simply notice to how you naturally stand. then make the adjustments necessary to have a straight back, shoulders relaxed + rolled back, neck in line with spine, and chin parallel to the ground. engage your core muscles to maintain a strong and confident stance.
remember this adjusted stance as your "neutral pose" while modeling (if not also in your daily life)!remember each body is unique 🌟
embrace your individuality and use it to your advantage. do your best to avoid comparing your body to others. these thoughts are natural to occur, but gently let them fade as they only hinder growth potential. ❤️keep practicing!
posing is an art that evolves with time and practice. keep experimenting, stay confident, and enjoy the journey of discovering your signature style as a full-body model
FEELING STIFF OR UNCOMFORTABLE?
whether remaining still or incorporating intentional + consistent movement in your poses, try these tips on your next shoot to make it look effortless and comfortable on camera!
whether remaining still or incorporating intentional + consistent movement in your poses, try these tips on your next shoot to make it look effortless and comfortable on camera!
BREATHE. this is a simple one, but so easy to forget. check to see if you're holding your breath.
take a quick reset inhale ... and exhale before the camera clicks.
you might just have to tell your body when to breathe for a bit until your body remembers it can do it on it's own .THINK OF YOUR JOINTS. sometimes when it's go-time, we forget all the ways our bodies can move! start by identifying any stiff or locked joints, and soften them to add a small bend.
pro tip: if you're feeling stuck or lost with pose options, think of all the joints that are visible in the shot and try moving them one at a time. this will change the your body's angles in the frame, which will in turn change the composition of the shot + where the light hits you or the product.INCORPORATE MOVEMENT. try a movement pattern that incorporates the pose you're aiming for. even small movements such as shifting weight from one leg to another can do the trick!
example: you are trying to showcase a brush combing through your hair. instead of holding a pose with the brush midway, try slowly pulling the brush through over and over until the photographer has the shot.
MORE EXAMPLES
POSING SKILLS
focus on honing your skills in the following areas to continue expanding your modeling abilities!
😁 expressing emotion
🍎 using props + environment
📸 understand camera angles + perspective
📣 taking feedback
expressing emotion
body language speaks volumes! practice conveying different emotions through your poses or facial expressions (like confidence, vulnerability, joy, flirtatiousness, mystery, etc).
notice if certain emotions come naturally or are more uncomfortable. sometimes the most effective way to represent an emotion feels nothing like how you actually feel or show the emotion in real life.
make the basics muscle memory (excitement, joy, smolder, dissatisfied, etc.) so you can quickly and confidently pull out a wide range of emotions while on set!
use props + environment:
take a moment before shooting to understand what props or pieces of the environment you could interact with to enhance your poses or the product. please ask the crew if you're not sure what you can or cannot touch.
even just looking at certain props or environment pieces can transform an image from a "cheesy photo" to an immersive experience.
understand camera angles + perspective
understanding lighting and your body / face's best angles are crucial for model performance.
know lighting types. the most common types of lighting used are natural light, studio light, or a combination of both. learn how each source affects your appearance + skin tone to find your most flattering angle under different lighting conditions.
always face the light. whether it's natural or artificial light, facing the primary light source often creates even illumination on your face, reducing harsh shadows.
be aware of shadows. understand how your face + body structure casts shadows on yourself. sometimes shadows can add depth and drama, but too much shadow in the wrong places can obscure details or create an unflattering look.
study your angles. experiment with different angles for your face in a mirror or by taking pictures on your phone. change your face's angels by tilting your head slightly, adjusting your chin, or changing the position of your eyes in relation to the camera. all of these can significantly alter the mood and appearance of a shot.
take feedback
don't shy away from feedback! listen to photographers, stylists, and experienced models. their insights and suggestions can immensely help in refining your posing techniques.
although feedback (especially about something as personal as your body) is sometimes nerve-wracking, an "us vs the problem" mindset goes a long way.
you, the client, and the crew are all working together to achieve a goal within a short amount of time. modeling can feel vulnerable - so doing your best to separate yourself and objectively identify problems and solutions as a team.