Pose Your Best - 1
Part 1
How often when scrolling on your phone has a photo made you pause and take a second look to admire a perfectly posed subject in great lighting? How often have you take the time to take apart what makes that photo great, so that you can apply it to your own physical stance the next time you have your photo taken? Never? Lets break down the do’s and don’ts for your next photo session.
Light Source Positioning
If outdoors, angle the sunlight so that it comes from behind you for the most flattering portrait. This will reduce your squinting, and will help your face feel relaxed. The light often will highlight your hair in a halo of light.
All times of day are beautiful, and with shade or proper flash fill lighting, you can have beautiful lighting at any time of day. Mid Day has the most vivid ocean colors.
Scheduling your photo session in the first 2 hours of the last 2 hours of the day will insure you have cooler weather, and gentler light to help relax your eyes.
Head shots
Confidence is key in your headshot portrait. Imagine there is an invisible string connected to the back crown of your head, and it is pulling you upward. This pull straightens your posture. Leave your chin directed slightly down and towards the camera. Take a full breath so your chest is out, and bring your shoulders 2 inches back and let them drop down.
Head and Eye Positioning
Pointing your chest slightly away from the camera, try pointing your chin towards the camera and away from the camera for variety. Look both towards and away from the camera. When everything is directed at the camerathe portrait can look stiff. When all three are pointed away from the camera you feel disconnected. A combination of possibilities will give different levels of connection to the portrait. Combine that will a straight head or a tilted head.
Female Portrait
While your spine is straight, shoulders back, and head is up, your full breath is holding your chest up and out, hold your stomach muscles firm, so that your stomach is taunt. Allow your lower back to create a curve. The lower curve of the female back is natural and noticeable in photos from both behind and at a side angle. In seated photos as well, make sure to retain this posture.
Hold at least one arm slightly away from the body, so that the camera can see a negative space between the waist and the arm. This gap will help identify the waist line and keep you looking more slender.
Natural Body Positions with Movement
If you struggle looking natural posing, try to move to be more relaxed and natural. Try walking or pretend your walking by putting your weight on one leg, and allowing the other leg to bend naturally without weight. Turn your body at a slight angle, so your shoulders do not directly face the camera, but away at a 30 degree angle. Cross one foot over the other, placing the weight on the back foot, as though you are walking. Pair the leg cross over with sitting on a bench, or leaning casually against a wall or palm tree. If you are concerned about the size of your legs, just cross your feet at the ankle, which will make you look curvy, but not wide.
