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in the world of visual storytelling, every detail matters, and hand poses are no exception.
this guide will explore the basics, break down essential poses, and provide practical tips for enhancing your hand modeling skills.
THE BASICS
use these three tips to become a pro hand model on your first shoot!
never cover the label or logo.
always identify where this is, and keep track of where your fingers are to ensure nothing is covered.
ensure labels are straight, centered, + visible.
know where the camera lens is pointing + adjust.
pay attention to other props in the scene.
ensure your placement complements the mood and composition of the set.
POWER OF A POSE
hand poses are more than just positioning fingers; they're a powerful means of expression! they can convey emotions, add elegance, or even tell a story.
even the subtlest of details can make an impact on the impression has on a viewer.
GO-TO POSES
here is a list of 5 ways to express emotions through hand modeling. it's best to have 2-3 poses in each expression to use on any given shoot.
see characteristics, purpose, usage and examples of each expression below!
THE NATURAL GESTURE
characteristics:
relaxed hand. subtle touch. authenticity.
purpose:
subtle and relatable connection to the audience.
common usage:
any industry. demos / product use.
THE ELEGANT GRACE
characteristics:
long lines. fluidity. soft. little to no tension.
purpose:
sophistication and visual appeal
common usage:
jewelry, beauty, + skincare industry. decorative.
THE POWER GRIP
characteristics:
muscle activation. grip. firm + still.
purpose:
convey strength + confidence.
common usage:
fitness + tool industry. highlight essence of product.
SOFT + SUPPORTED
characteristics:
embracing touch (like a hug!). cupping. gentle.
purpose:
display care, fragility, or comfort.
common usage:
health / wellness industry. demonstrate essence of product.
EXPRESSIVE FINGERS
characteristics:
recognizable symbols. purposeful tension.
purpose:
to excite, add personality, or quirk.
common usage:
any industry. "stop the scroll." decorative.
FEELING STIFF?
if you begin to feel awkward or stiff, set the product down, shake out your hands and try again!
sometimes making a bunch of micro adjustments can cause an awkward + tense look, and its just best to just reset!
ANATOMY OF A HAND
knowing the types of joints and motion available can increase understanding of hand model pose mechanics.
(we promise we won't use science terms)
the fingers
each finger has three hinge joints: the top, middle, and bottom. hinge joints are joints that only move in one direction. they often have limited twisting or rotating capabilities.
the top joint generally has the least amount of mobility and finishes the line of the finger. its crease could be used to delicately balance certain items - like a keychain.
it is often hard to move on it's own without another joint joining in and usually has very minimal movement backward. although - if you hold the middle joint of a finger - you may be able to get some isolated movement of this joint.
the middle joint is what creates the "curled" finger, claw, or hook look. this joint dictates to what degree a finger is straight or curled and it has very minimal movement backward (unless you have hyperextension).
the bottom joint dictates whether the hand is considered open or closed.
this joint mostly bends forward, but has more flexibility to bend backward than the other two (as may be seen when someone cracks their knuckles).
the wrist
the wrist is a complex joint made up of multiple smaller joints that work together to provide flexibility and support to the hand.
the combination of joints allow for forward and backward movement, a small amount of side to side movement, and limited circular movement. you can witness these by holding your forearm still and trying each direction.
the wrist is responsible for how the hand looks in relationship to the arm. it can follow the line of the forearm, or bend to create angular shapes.
it can also be strengthened, stretched, and can help bear weight (like in a handstand!).
the elbow + forearm
the elbow joint is another hinge joint made up of the two bones in your forearm plus the one in your upper arm.
the elbow is responsible for the rotation in the lower arm which often is most visually drastic in (and gets labeled as) the wrist. if someone is asking you to flip your wrist, that movement is coming from your elbow!
to test this out, put your elbow at a 90 degree angle and hold the elbow joint with your other hand. twisting your palm away from and toward you, and you'll feel the joint moving with each twist.
listen to Austin model, Tina's,
5 ways to be a pro hand model!
GREAT hand modeling looks like...
GREAT hand modeling looks like...
✅ reliability.
update your availability. be early. always be in appearance standards. respond to communications + assignments. and consistently bring your best to every shoot.
✌️pose variety.
make small adjustments between each picture. the more variety you give clients, the more likely they will fall in love with your photos!
tip: think about adjusting fingers, level of tension, wrist angle, amount of bend in knuckles, etc. see what story you can tell with just your hands! the crew will tell you what's working.
👍 understanding the assignment.
read through each assignment carefully + thoroughly. knowing as much as you can will reduce the amount the photographer or client have to repeat or relay info.
💡inspiration.
use Pinterest or research other similar products for ideas on poses, mood, angles, and more!
MORE QUICK TIPS
keep your hands away from your body.
this is one of the hardest skills as a hand model - is achieving poses that seem natural and effortless, but are actually extremely awkward to do without getting other body parts in the shot.
you may need to lay down, kneel, or just generally feel like you're playing a game of Twister. 🤪
you are always welcome to ask for things like pillows or chairs if that helps you stay steady and comfortable!
practice with objects of all shapes, sizes, and weights.
some objects much more straightforward to hold than others. like a box, mug, scissors, etc.
but chances are you will have to hold an awkward, large, or even heavy object at your time at soona. these can be unintuitive and difficult to make look easy on set.
practice using all sorts of objects at home to understand what your strengths and areas of opportunity are. when you arrive on set, you can also ask the crew to handle the object for a bit to practice some options before you start shooting!
if you know a client will be asking for something you're not the best at, (always give it a shot and...) it may be best to come with some alternative poses that acheive a similar effect!
ground your arm or elbow(s) to help stay still
use a surface or parts of your body to help ground your pose.
when holding objects far away from you, especially heavy ones, it can get extremely tiring very quickly without additional structural support. not to mention you may be (unintentionally) waving the product around making it hard for the photographer to center the shot.
use your surroundings or other parts of your body to help stabilize these poses to increase your stamina and help the photographer out
have go-to poses
have some signature poses and styles ready to go.
it's more likely than not that you encounter a client who isn't sure what they are looking for or are asking you to experiment. these clients can be either the most fun, or the hardest to work with.
having those go-to's will ensure efficiency and show off your professionalism. plus you'll know they make the product shine every time!
stay inspired
look up hand modeling pictures every so often to see if there are any new trends or poses you'd like to add to your bag-o-tricks.
bringing fresh new ideas to shoots not only looks good, but can make the client swoon with delight!
keep up with hand + nail maitenance
well groomed hands and nails are a must for hand modeling. tend to your nails frequently, keep them clean and looking polished. moisturize regularly to maintain the health and appearance of your skin.
check out our hair, skin, + nail maintenance for tips on how to stay within soona's appearance standards.
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