Looking like a model is one thing, posing another. Models are not paid to make beautiful figurines. Their success in the industry comes primarily from their ability to pose and offer interesting and salable shots to the photographer. Whether you want to enhance your modeling career or just become more photogenic, the following tips will help you give your photos more depth.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Mastering the Poses
Step 1. Hunch over slightly, but keep your head up
In some cases, you'll need to pull your shoulders back for a snap, but generally hunching a little makes the pose look more natural and relaxed. That doesn't mean you have to look like the Hunchback of Notre Dame though (though hunched over might work with some high fashion shots). If you are standing, distribute the weight unevenly on the feet, and the leg with less weight will tend to bend a little naturally. You will look more comfortable, and this position will communicate an idea of naturalness. However, don't bend over too much, as this will make your tummy area look more voluminous.
When we say you should hunch over, we mean you are natural. Most people don't realize they hunch over when they do, so if you tend to lean forward by nature, you risk accentuating the position. Try to have an informal posture, but with your head held high. You need to stretch your neck as much as possible. Imagine that the forehead is held up by a thread
Step 2. Convey a sense of vigor from head to toe
The whole body must have life. Think of a dancer: no muscle stays still when she dances, even while she is in a fixed position. No part of the body should feel limp and undefined.
Start by engaging your midsection (which also helps you hold your belly), then move on to the limbs. Warning: "strength" is not synonymous with aggression or masculinity in this context, it just means moving with conviction or energy. After all, you have to convey some sensations to the camera lens
Step 3. Look for asymmetry
For a more interesting shot, be sure to do something different with each side of the body. You can choose a position that doesn't go unnoticed, do something entirely different with each arm or leg, and bend your head sideways, provided that fits the aesthetics of the photo. Looking for asymmetry can mean simply lowering a shoulder or hip, making sure your arms are at different heights, or bending one leg slightly more than the other (or a lot more).
Remember: you are part of the image. This photo is not meant to show everyone how beautiful you are: the main purpose is to express the desired aesthetic. You can also do your makeup like a make-up artist and do a fantastic hairstyle: if you don't create visually appealing positions, the photography won't have the quality it should
Step 4. Don't point your nose directly at the target
Looking at the camera from the front can work for some intense shots, but it's generally best to tilt your face, and look at the lens from that perspective. Tilt your nose up or down slightly, a little to the left or right, but your gaze must still be directed towards the camera.
- Try to understand which are the angles that enhance your face the most. Do you have a nice jaw? Raise your head and bend it slightly to the side. Experiment in front of a mirror or with your own camera to understand which perspectives make your face more beautiful.
- Observe which direction the light is coming from. Remember that light and shadow areas are created, and even if the difference is minimal, they affect the appearance of the face. If the light is coming from above, tilting the nose down could cause the browbone to cast a shadow over the eyes; this is fine if you are looking for a sinister shot, but bad when you try to look friendly.
Step 5. Look everywhere
While you can get an interesting shot by looking at the camera, you can have a lot more options by looking elsewhere. What happens around the model? Is he staring at the mirror? Did you see anything strange? Who is he talking to? Everyone will want to know.
Pay attention to the stereotypical expression "I am staring at the horizon immersed in my thoughts". At best, it will appear that you are reflecting on existence; at worst, it will seem like you are trying hard to make this impression. Adopt it sparingly
Step 6. Stand at three quarters
You probably suspected it, but now we can confirm it: posing at three quarters will make you look slimmer. And everyone will ask: is your position frontal? Is it turned to the side? And how big is his waistline? Nobody will know. Turn around at a three-quarter angle and you'll look slimmer.
Looking head-on into each shot will make you look vulnerable and exposed (and that's true in real life too!). When you have three quarters, what's your best side? Emphasize it for excellent photos
Step 7. Remember the hands
Probably the most annoying part of posing is figuring out what to do with your hands. They are there, and all of a sudden they become the most useless thing in the world. However, if you engage the body from head to toe, at best you will find poses that make you feel good, that make sense. The only thing you should avoid is using them to frame your face. It looks like a cheap glamorous shot from the Eighties.
Generally, you should show the side of the hand. This creates a longer, thinner line extending from the arm. In addition, it also prevents concerns like "My hands are getting old" and "My palms are weird"
Method 2 of 3: Mastering the Techniques
Step 1. Try to have a perfect smile
Posing with a perfect smile is a true art, and most models naturally master it. The ideal smile is somewhere between a 32-tooth and a serious expression. The lips are slightly parted, and only the upper teeth are visible. This smile is considered barely hinted at, it offers a pleasant and relaxed result.
Generally, smiling causes the cheekbones to rise and the eyes to shrink. Then, try to relax your eyes, so that they are open and you can see the sclera. It may take some exercise in front of the mirror to isolate different muscle groups, but it will be worth it. Whether you are a model or just want to improve your portraits, mastering the perfect smile can make your shots so much more beautiful
Step 2. Create intensity
Being a fish out of water or simply looking bored to death does not reveal an interesting stance on nonconformity, it does not offer a new perspective on the materialism of the fashion world, and it is not a disarming gesture, at all. It's just weird. When your image is captured on film, you need to feel something the camera can pick up. The feeling depends on the shot, but whatever it is, create it. Feel it. It exudes emotions.
The only concrete way you can do this is by using your eyes. It's pretty easy to smile with just your mouth or pose with your body forgetting that your face has nothing to do with it. If you're not sure what you should be feeling, what signals is your body sending you? Are you strong and do you believe in yourself? Are you happy and carefree? As Tyra would say, Smize!, which means "Smile with your eyes"
Step 3. Try to have good taste
If you are modeling for work, sometimes you will find yourself wearing clothes that will make you feel particularly exposed. Regardless of what you bring (in most cases), it's best not to look vulgar.
A good model should convey sophistication and class. As much as you've been wearing a skimpy bikini, relax and act like nothing has happened, unless it's a sexy photo shoot. Your body will highlight your sensuality by itself, while the face and pose do not have this task
Step 4. Change often
You should change the pose every three seconds or so. A photographer does not want to waste time taking the same photograph dozens and dozens of times. While you're not sure if you look good, go ahead and give it your all. You'll have a billion shots to choose from once you're done, and some of them are sure to be awesome.
You have total freedom to dare. If your poses are unique, you will be memorable. Use the techniques you know (work from certain angles and so on), but change them every few minutes. A subtle change can dramatically affect the final result
Step 5. Hide the flaws
We all have them. Dutch models who wear the 36 and are 180cm tall also have it. You probably know what yours are. The good news is that there are ways to mask them. Don't get complicated: even your imperfections make you beautiful, the fact is that they are not ideal for a camera.
- If you place your hands on your hips, you will give the illusion of having a tighter waist. The holes that are created between the arms and the body create a background that takes away emphasis from that area. Do it in real life too.
- Keep the chin high to reduce the size of the forehead, while if the chin is large, do the reverse. Raising your head not only allows you to stand out your chin and hide your forehead, it also elongates your neck.
- Bring one knee forward or turn it outward to make your hips look less shapely. Ah, and then you'll give the illusion that you have the mythological thigh gap, which most women don't. By turning the knee, it will appear that you have it, and the hips will be visibly tighter.
- By turning the body to the side and raising the shoulders, the hips will look much narrower. It is as if you are looking in front of you, only the hips are disguised.
Step 6. Practice
Buy a digital camera and tripod and take thousands of shots. Since viewing photos on your computer screen costs nothing, you have no excuse not to practice. You should know which poses are right for you and which ones don't flatter you.
Find out which parts of the body to emphasize with the poses. Familiarize yourself with the various positions, and the effect they have on different types of clothing. Some emphasize the clean lines of a formal suit, while others highlight the fall of an evening dress. Practice with scenographic accessories such as chairs, objects to hold in your hand (a vase, a rope, a beach ball, whatever: be creative!). Who knows what they'll ask you to do on set
Step 7. Study
Analyze magazines and brochures with a critical eye. Take note of the poses of the models: what do they do with their hands, limbs, heads, eyes, lips? What emotions does a pose convey?
Find your favorite model and analyze her. How does he walk? How does it move in general? What are the poses that enhance it? While you certainly don't have to copy her, pay attention to her habits when starting out
Method 3 of 3: Work on a Snap
Step 1. Listen to the photographer
A good professional will make comments and hopefully be quite candid. He'll tell you what to do, so you can get the photos he wants. Cooperate and willingly (and gracefully!) Accept suggestions. Don't be distracted by nervousness, or you will look tense and stiff. Relax every time you take a pose and connect with the camera.
Take into consideration the type of service you are doing. If it's for a fashion house, they'll probably ask you to take on those elaborate, avant-garde poses that seem vaguely weird and forced. If it's for a consumer product, you'll need to have a casual, everyday look. For example, compare an advertisement for Jean Paul Gaultier with one for Dove
Step 2. Breathe
Sometimes, when we focus or are nervous, we slow down or speed up our breathing dramatically. For a while, you may even find yourself holding him back. Instead, you must be aware of it: it must be normal and relaxed.
This step is particularly important. The breath can actually determine your mood, and consequently the poses. If he is out of breath, the body receives a very specific message: you are ready to fight or flee. Obviously, if these thoughts were racing wildly in the subconscious, the pose would be a disaster
Step 3. Don't worry about the look
Some artists have rather bizarre visions that could leave you baffled and make you think things like "I look like I just rolled out of bed and attacked by a deer." Well, apparently, that's what the person you're partnering with was looking for, so you have no choice but to go along with it. Do not make any problems. You still remain yourself. A photo doesn't change who you are.
Do you remember what we said earlier? You are part of an image. Sure, you are the subject of the photo, but so are the clothes you wear, the background and the feeling it wants to convey. If you don't like your makeup, hairstyle, or clothing, you still need to act like a pro. You have the smile, the poses and the techniques on your side
Step 4. Visualize a motivation or feeling
This could help you capture the emotion you need for a shot. If the photographer wants a melancholy one, for example, imagine a sad episode in your life. As a result, you realize that you are better at attuning to this emotion.
If rethinking your past touches you a little too closely, think about the plot of a film that conveys these emotions, and put yourself in the role of the actress. The train of thought should transform the face and body, creating intensity for the photo
Advice
- Make sure you have character. Being a model means above all being proud and projecting self-esteem.
- Show emotions throughout the face, especially the eyes.
- In order not to get bored as you change from one angle to another for hours on end, ask to put on some music. It could help you feel energized and introduce you to the atmosphere the photographer is looking for.
