How to look amazing in EVERY photo you take! | Posing Guide
I don’t know about you, but I want to look good in photos…Ok, I know you do too, ha! Luckily, when it comes to photography, there are a few universal rules that once understood, we can use to our advantage. Photography works by capturing a 3-dimensional scene and then transposing that as a 2-dimensional photograph. This means that reality can easily be manipulated by the way a scene is shot (good and bad). Once we know how these manipulations can happen, we can pick and choose how to use them to get the most pleasing images. Let me explain!
1. Anything square to the camera is going to be experienced at it’s full width
You’ve heard it said that the camera adds ten pounds, but it doesn't have to! The truth is that anything square to the camera will look wider, but sometimes this is a great thing! As a man, broad shoulders are a good look for me! so if I square my shoulders to the camera they are going to look wider and more pleasing in the image. Other times, we definitely don't want the wide look. If we are trying to accentuate a waistline or body line, we are going to want to minimize any horizontal distortion. Below are some tips for men and women on how to pose your body to use this to your advantage.
Men: Turn your bodies at an angle (30-45 degrees) to the camera, and then square up your shoulders to the camera. This will result in a V shape from your toes to your shoulders making your shoulders look broader.
Women: Turn your bodies at an angle (30-45 degrees) to the camera, and slightly turn your shoulders back towards the camera. We don’t want to completely square back up but a little turn will help broaden the chest and add pleasing shape. This will result in a thin, trim, and fit look in photos!
2. Whatever is closest to the camera is going to look bigger
Similarly to the previous point, whatever is closest to the camera is going to look larger because of the compression of the image. Knowing this, there are a few things we can do to bring out the best shape and form to our bodies. Virtually everyone wants a larger chest and smaller waist! Assuming we are standing at an angle to the camera, all we need to do is shift our weight to our back leg, bend the front leg, and slightly lean forward at the waist. This will put our chest slightly closer to the lens (making it appear larger) and our hips slightly further away (making the waist appear smaller).
Men: This will be more subtle for the guys as we still want to maintain a strong look.
Women: Women can get away with a more exaggerated knee pop and bend at the waist.
3. Compress what you want to look larger
If you want your arms to look larger (Guys), compress them against your body. If you want them to look smaller (Girls), gently lift them away from your body. Just enough so that they are not touching you is all you need. This will result in skinnier arms
Men: Folded arms compressed against your body will make them look larger (without hitting the gym!). Either hide one or both of your hands behind your crossed arms.
Women: No matter what you are doing with your arms (folded, at your side, holding something, etc.) lifting them slightly away from your body will keep them looking thin and trim!
4. Check your posture
We look best with proper posture. Unfortunately, most of us have bad habits in this area, but fixing them is very simple. Simply raise your shoulder all the way up, then push them all the way back, and relax. That should fix your posture and add back in a proper arch to your back and spine. Again this will give us the appearance of a larger chest
5. Relax your hands
“What do I do with my hands?” is one of the most common questions I get from couples. I get it! It can feel awkward once a camera is pointed at you and you’re unsure of what to do. The hands are the second most expressive part of our bodies (behind our eyes) so knowing what to do can make or break a composition. The best thing to do is to keep your hands on the other person and keep them relaxed. We don’t want any stiff hands, so pull your partner close and keep a slight curl to your hand shape.
Men: When posing alone, hands fully in your pockets is always a safe bet. When you are posing with your partner, use both of your hands to pull her in tight. Put your hand furthest away from the camera around her waist and pull her in tight and connect your other hand around her waist.
Women: Keep your hand poses delicate and shaped. Think about how you hold a champagne glass. We want hands posed like that with intention. Stay away from flat hands to the camera. When posing alone you can bring your hand to the smallest part of your waist with your elbow out. When posed with your partner, rest the hand furthest from the camera around his waist and the other hand you can place on his chest, shoulder, neck, or pull him in but always keep the hand shaped and intentional.
6. Keep your chin slightly up and out (ears forward)
If this feels a little like you’re a turtle trying to pop your head out of its shell then you’re doing it right! This will help maintain a flattering chin and jawline, and avoid any skin being compressed under your chin (which can give the appearance of a double chin).
Now that you understand the basics of how cameras capture scenes and the rules to abide by, you are all set to look great in any photo! I don’t rely strictly on posing during my photography sessions as I believe that spur-of-the-moment, real connection is the most important. However, I fall back on my knowledge of these principles to bring out the best of every composition, and now you can too!