Very simple pose for a man's portrait

Very simple pose for a man's portrait: An upper body shot with crossed arms. Two things to take care of: Shoulders should be pulled back a little, stomach muscles kept in check.

bride's portraits 3

Look for ways to utilize walls or doorways in your frames and compositions. More poses suitable for bride's portraits can be found in the “Women” section.

Bride's portrait pose 2

Bride's portrait pose similar to the previous, but taken from a different angle.

bride's portrait

Nice pose for bride's portrait. Shoot from a side with the bride holding her bridal bouquet right in front of her.

Very simple pose

Very simple pose for a portrait with the model standing or sitting and supporting herself on some foreground surface. Note that the model's hand shouldn't support her head. Instead, make it look like an easy gesture, otherwise the model's expression will communicate tiredness.

classic compositions

You might be familiar with composition rules like the rule of thirds. Even if your setting prevents you from using such classic compositions, pleasing effects can always be created by using diagonals. Also remember that you don't need to always hold your camera on a perfectly even level. Don't be afraid to tilt it, you might achieve some interesting and unusual perspectives.

form S shape body

Creative hand placement for fully frontal shot. If you frame you shot only around the face, still do keep in mind that the model should form S shape her body.

Glamourous close-up portrait pose

Glamourous close-up portrait pose for models with long, big hair. Note that the model should put her arms into the hair and slightly lift them up.

close-up portrait pose

Very nice close-up portrait pose. The model recreates common body language gesture and kind of places her hair behind the ear. Try the same gesture also by switching hands.

portrait pose

Very beautiful way to utilize a wall or some object for a portrait pose. Model should gently touch a vertical surface with her hands.

slightly adjusting the initial pose

You may follow the previous pose by another portrait variation with a different hand placement and shooting from a different angle. This is just another example how easily you can create completely different look, by slightly adjusting the initial pose.

play around with her hand

In portrait photography, hands are usually not visible or at least not dominant. However, you might get creative by asking the model to play around with her hands trying different positions around her head or face. Keep in mind, though: No flat palms, and the hands should only show their sides!

Shooting from a side

Shooting from a side. Very nice way to make the model slimmer. The model should push her chin forward and tilt it slightly down while at the same time place the shoulder up, but not too much! There should definitely be a little gap between chin and shoulder.

model look over her shoulder

Have the model look over her shoulder. Note how unusual and interesting a portrait might look, if shot simply from a different angle.

Pose with a child sitting on the ground

Very easy and nice pose with a child sitting on the ground.

shooting from above may provide some good opportunities

In general shooting children from their eye level is a sure way to go. Having said that, also try other angles, for example, shooting from above may provide some good opportunities.

Simple pose for a portrait shot

Simple pose for a portrait shot, utilizing an object on which a child can put his arms on. Depending on what kind of object and surface that is, he might be sitting as well as standing.

Show me your favourite funny face!

You may try and simply ask “Show me your favourite funny face!” To your surprise, the child might come up with very impressive performance.

Be attentive and don't miss children's heavy laughing

Be attentive and don't miss children's heavy laughing or loud shouting. Such situations always produce very emotional and thus rewarding shots!

A parent can join in and read a book together with a child

Following the previous one, a parent can join in and read a book together with a child.

Looking at a favorite picture book

It really is a good idea to set everything up so that the child is busy with his own "things" and not even noticing your actions. Looking at a favorite picture book is just one example of how to keep them "posing" for you.

Keeping them busy

Try taking pictures of kids in their everyday environment, for example, playing their favorite games, doing homework or as in this example, painting with watercolors. Keeping them busy in a familiar setting is a good way to get them to cooperate and to make those special poses you want.

Relaxing pose

Relaxing pose with the child resting on her arm. Note that the arm may as well be straightened.

ake kids more relaxed

To make kids more relaxed, try to make them hug or play with their favorite teddy bear or any other toy of their choice.

Natural expressions for children

When photographing children, remember to shoot from their eye level! Concerning poses, though, let them be "as they are" and try to capture their natural expressions, emotions and behavior.