How to pose to look better in photos
Published: 09.11.2021
Many people do not like to be photographed, believing that they are not photogenic and do not look good in photos. But there are no unphotogenic people, as there is beauty in every person that can be captured with a camera. A successful photo depends on many factors: the skill of the photographer, proper lighting and camera settings, clothing, makeup, and the model's pose. The same person can look different in various poses. Even a top model can look unattractive in a photo if they strike an awkward pose. The tilt of the head, position of the hands, and body posture all affect how a person will appear in a photograph. Knowing posing techniques can visually elongate legs, hide the stomach, double chin, and other problem areas. Posing is an art, and professional models are trained in this skill for a long time. Some people intuitively know how to strike a beautiful pose, while others need to practice in front of a mirror for a long time to learn how to pose. Let's consider the most popular techniques on how to pose to look better in photos.
Examples of successful poses for photography
There are no universal tips for posing for photos, it all depends on the person's body strengths and weaknesses. However, there are a few rules that can help you look more attractive.
1. Pay attention to your hands, they should not be pressed tightly against the body, otherwise the figure will appear fuller. Move one hand slightly to the side, and place the other on your waist. There should be some space between your body and your arms. If you don't know what to do with your hands, accessories and props can help you. Girls can hold a purse or a bouquet of flowers. A man can hold a wallet or a glass. Just make sure that the accessories match the overall look and outfit. If the model is wearing an evening dress, it is definitely not appropriate for her to hold a glass of beer in her hands.
2. The pose with hands by the sides looks aggressive and unattractive, it's better to lightly touch the waist with your hands, but don't squeeze it too tightly as it will create extra folds in the clothing. Photos look good when the hands lightly touch the face. Avoid propping up your chin with your hands, instead, pretend to adjust your hair or accidentally touch your cheek. Don't stick your elbows forward, always try to move your arms back, this will visually reduce the shoulders and improve your posture.
3. Choose a half-turn pose, not a full-face one, so your figure will look slimmer. Move one leg back, and turn your face and chest towards the camera. If the light is coming from the side, the leg with less light should be behind. Do not shift your body weight to the leg closer to the camera, as your body will look bulkier and the thigh will appear larger.
4. Pay attention to the position of your head. Do not lower your head, otherwise your neck will disappear and a double chin will appear. Lift your head, stretch your crown upward, so your neck will look longer and your face more attractive. In photos, always strive upwards. Standing on tiptoes will visually make you taller and your legs slimmer.
5. One of the most successful poses for girls is the over-the-shoulder look. The model looks as if she has been suddenly caught by the camera, creating a beautiful curve of the back, and the exposed shoulder adds a touch of sensuality to the shot. To avoid wrinkles on the neck, cover it with hair or a scarf.
6. The silhouette in the photograph should resemble the letter S. Standing straight can look unattractive, so don't stand at attention. Instead, slightly arch your body, shift your weight to one leg, and add some smooth lines to your body.
7. Dynamic poses look more attractive than static ones. Put one leg forward to create a sense of movement. You can spread your arms to mimic the look of flight. Make sure your arms are soft and relaxed, do not spread or clench your fingers, relax your wrists and hands, imagine that you have wings instead of them and you are gliding like a bird.
8. It looks beautiful to pose lying on the floor. You can raise yourself on your hands or lie on your side, turning your head towards the camera. The photographer should shoot you from above, not from the side, to choose the most flattering angle.
9. Find support and lean on it with your hands, so the pose will look more relaxed. A wall, table, chair, staircase, or tree can serve as a support. Interacting with surrounding objects looks interesting in photos and allows the model to feel more confident in front of the camera.
10. It is not necessary to always look into the camera. Make a thoughtful gaze and look into the distance or pretend in the photo that you are not posing, but admiring the beauty of nature. These photos look less staged and create intrigue, making viewers want to see what caught the model's eye.
11. Always pay attention to your posture during a photoshoot. Slouching ruins even the perfect figure. When you hunch your back, your shoulders droop, your chest looks unimpressive, and any pose looks bad. Make it a rule to always straighten your back and pull your shoulders back in front of the camera, so your chest and neck will look much better in photos.
During a beach photoshoot, if you don't have a perfect figure, avoid sitting poses, otherwise all the folds on your sides and stomach will be immediately visible. You can hide problem areas underwater or take photos standing on tiptoes to conceal figure flaws.
Before the photoshoot, make sure to look at examples of successful poses online and practice them in front of a mirror. This way, you will feel much more confident in front of the camera, and it will be easier for the photographer to work with you. Also, ask the photographer to evaluate and correct your pose, so you will have fewer unsuccessful shots and be satisfied with the photoshoot. The best photos with successful poses can be saved by printing a photo book or ordering a Light album from Mapi Studio.
Cool photos deserve unusual framing. Print your cool pictures in a Polaroid style. Fans of instant photography from the 90s may experience familiar feelings when holding a Polaroid-style photo. Those unfamiliar with traditional Polaroid will appreciate the square images with space for captions.
