There are some posing techniques which are highly
recommended when photographing non-models.
These will give you the best chance of capturing a flattering photo.
1. Pose the Hair - If you are photographing a model
with long hair, it will be easy for the image to look unflattering if the hair
is not posed in the right way. Of course, this is different for everyone, so
experiment with this.
2. Pull the chin (or ears forward) – if you ask
your model to pull their chin or ears forward, this will eliminate the ‘extra
chin’ that everyone has in photos.
3. Lift the arm – When people stand naturally, they
stand with their arm flat to their sides. This makes the arm look bigger than
it really is. A way to overcome this, is
to ask your model to place a hand on their hip, or lift their arm slightly.
4. Leave visual space by the waist – This instantly
makes your model appear slimmer. For example, if their arm is next to their
waist, this gives the impression of a wider waistline. Again, lifting the arm
away from the waist to leave a little space, can eradicate this.
5. Turn the shoulders – simple, but effective! If
your subject looks at the camera square on, they look bigger. By asking your model to turn their shoulders
to the side, or their whole body slightly, this can make them appear slimmer.
6. Don’t show the whites of the eyes – when giving
your model a ‘distant’ look, don’t just ask them to ‘look over there’, give
them an object to focus on so that you are controlling their eye line.
7. Don’t let the nose break the face – when you
don’t want your model to face forward, you turn them to the side, but if you
turn them too far to the side, their nose would appear prominent. This is
unflattering for a model with a larger nose. In simple terms, turn your model
to an angle where the end of the nose does not cross the outline of their
face/cheek. This is a far more flattering pose.
8. You can ensure your model in comfortable in
front of the camera by asking them to breathe slowly for a few seconds. Ask
them to relax their shoulders and imagine a string is running up their spine
and through their head – this gives a more confident look – and your model will
feel more confident.
9. Whatever is closest to the lens looks instantly
larger, so pose your model with their weight on the back leg/leg furthest from
the lens. Ask your model to lean forward
to conceal a larger tummy. Or position yourself higher if you want to remove a
fold under the chin.
1.
Most importantly, always reassure your model
that whatever they are doing looks good!
Express positivity in your voice and actions, make them feel as though
they really are a GOOD model! Finally,
have fun! J
