You don’t need to remember poses: Try this instead!
How do you pose for photos? It seems like everybody is trying to teach us a set of poses for a specific occasion: 5 poses for business headshots, 10 poses for lifestyle branding photos, etc – instead of actual techniques for effective photo posing. What if I told you that you DON’T need to remember any poses to be able to shine during your photoshoot?
How to pose for pictures without remembering poses
Don’t get me wrong, it’s great to have a few posing ideas handy (as a cheat sheet for example) in case you need a little inspiration during your shoot. We are not robots, we will struggle to store a bunch of poses in our brain – sometimes we do need a little inspiration. I just don’t want you to completely rely on them, that’s all!
Here’s what I would recommend instead… RELAX & FIND CONFIDENCE.
How to relax in front of the camera
It’s not always an easy task to relax in front of the camera, I get it. However, the benefits from it will be incredible.
When we are nervous, our muscles tense – not only in your body, but also your face. Have you noticed your clenched jaw, shut mouth and a frown on your forehead? The truth is, we carry so much tension on our faces without realising it, and tension doesn’t photograph well – it creates sharp angles in your face, you can visually see the discomfort. The moment you relax, your face will relax, and trust me, the photos will look so much better!
When photographing my clients, at the beginning of a photoshoot I usually ask them to close their eyes, take a big inhale and then an even larger exhale. The idea is to relax muscles in a person’s face. This technique is very simple, but it works! Though it might take several attempts to achieve a state of relaxation.
Camera Confidence
I often hear people say that being photogenic is a natural talent. To me, as a professional photographer being photogenic=being confident in front of the camera.
You might also enjoy How To Be Photogenic: The Secret Revealed.
I find that different elements help people feel confident in front of the camera – it can be a setting (a place where they have already been), a familiar face during a photoshoot, encouragement and positive feedback, favourite clothes or nicely done makeup and hair.
When you feel confident, you stand a little taller, smile wider, and you will project this energy outwards. Confidence is all about energy – even the simplest body position adjustments will appear they are made with purpose. Most professional models are essentially relaxation experts: they are relaxed and confident in front of the camera.
When you find yourself next having your photo taken; focus on relaxing rather than remembering.
I hope you enjoyed this blog post. If you have any questions on how to pose for pictures, you’re most welcome to drop them in the comment section below! Also, make sure to check out Posing Section on my blog!
