Posing Tips for a Portrait Session
Posing in front of the camera, when you are not a trained model, can be nerve wracking. What do you do with your hands, your legs, should you smile, not smile, face the camera straight on, or turn at an angle? I’ve spent a lot of time educating myself on how to best advise my clients on how to pose during a portrait session. I want my clients to feel comfortable and relaxed in front of the camera so that their personality shines through. Here are a few tips to help relax you before your own session.
Movement is your friend. If you keep moving, it will help relax your nerves and it looks amazing in photos. Even if there is no wind, you can create it by moving your hair, your clothes, walking, and laughing. I love talking to my clients during a session, to bring up points that they mentioned in their questionnaire I sent them prior to the session. Talking through a session helps relax the mind and body and brings forth some of the best photos.
Angles help give your body some shape and give you something to do with your arms and legs. Instead of keeping your hands at your side or in front of you, you can place one hand on your hip and one hand on your hair with your elbow bent. Relax your legs by crossing one leg over the other, bending the leg closest to the camera at the knee, or pointing your toes to help release some tension in your body.
Bring accessories with you to help occupy your hands. Anything can act as a prop and add variety to your photos. A sun hat, a funky pair of glasses, a bouquet of flowers, or even a pet. Move the item [or pet!] around in different ways, whether wearing it appropriately, holding it in your hands, to your side, or above your head. You can even create many faceless portraits that still exude a ton of personality and pop by having your prop be the main part of the photo either with your back turned or your face covered.
Wear something comfortable! This can mean different things to different people. Whether its a flowy maxi dress, a form fitting midi dress, jeans and a t-shirt, or a two piece outfit. This is not the time to wear something that is out of the norm for you. If you don’t feel comfortable in your clothing, no amount of posing or talking will help you feel right. If you are tugging on your clothes or constantly readjusting you won’t be able to relax. Rather than wearing what you think you should wear, wear what feels right. I spend a lot of time with my clients prior to their session, making sure that they have chosen outfits that not only match the location but also that they feel comfortable in.
If you are interested in booking your own portrait session, I would love to chat!
Sidra is a Charlotte area family photographer looking to connect with people who are unapologetically authentic and in love. She loves to capture the unscripted moments, the details you don’t want to forget, and the momentous occasions and changes in your life. From planning the shoot to creating heirloom quality albums and prints, her goal is to create a relaxed, comfortable, and complete experience for all members of the family. Sidra is based in Charlotte, NC but travels to surrounding areas including Mint Hill, Concord, and Pineville.