Branding and Posing: Tips for your next photoshoot | Eastern WA Branding Photographer
Let’s be real: most people are a little self-conscious in front of the camera. It’s just a fact, especially for women, especially for women who aren’t used to being the center of attention.
During my sessions, I guide my clients into natural and authentic poses. Which means I find out what poses make them feel most comfortable, I encourage them to pretend I’m not there while they do their work or interact with clients, and I catch glimpses into their regular every day lives by just being present and getting the right angles. It sounds more complex than it really is.
While we take the more posed headshot type photos, I have them move their bodies in various ways. From walking toward the camera to dancing, from sitting in different positions to striking standing poses. I also give them tips on where to put their hands and how to shift their weight so that they’re more comfortable and their stance is more flattering. In the end we get gorgeous images that don’t look “posed”.
Like these:
Here are some tips for finding the right pose for you.
Before your next session try some of these out and see how they feel. Stand in front of a mirror or set your phone up to take some timed photos while you test out the tips.
Here we go:
Lean forward
This can be applied to sitting, standing, leaning, really any pose. If you position your body the way you want to stand then lean forward from the waist just slightly, it creates a more flattering pose. Standing up straight is great for posture, but oftentimes it causes us to lean back a bit, creating a wider frame.
Criss cross
Create more dimension by crossing your legs, ankles, arms, or wrists. Don’t do all of them, that would look ridiculous, but 1 or 2 makes the pose look and feel more fun.
Add movement
Walk toward the camera using big strides, or dance a little bit if that’s your thing. You can even twirl, or if you’re wearing something flowy, play with your clothes. Move your cardigan around or flip your skirt. Not only do these make some dynamic photos, the movement often makes you laugh which causes immediate authenticity.
Interact with your surroundings
Use the things around you. Depending on what your business does, this can look like creating/making art, using the tools and supplies in front of you, going through a rack of clothing or other products, or even throwing confetti in the air. Get creative with it and remember to play.
Forget manners
Don’t consider what looks modest or ladylike. Throw it out the window. Use your power stance, get tough, be a badass. Power exudes from you and all you do, embrace that!
Sit down
Sitting poses can get really fun, you can sit on the floor and really embrace your limbs and how they interact with each other. It might sound weird, but sitting on the floor with furniture behind you gives you a lot of options for ways to place your hands and move your legs around. You can put an elbow up on a chair or bench and put that hand in your hair. Or you can kick 1 leg up so your knee is close to your face and rest your hands and face on that knee.
Floating arms
Keep your arms from squishing against your body. If you hold your arms in close it causes the skin to push out, which makes your arms look less toned. If you’re anything like me, and your arms are already lacking muscle, you definitely want to avoid that. So hold your arms out just enough that they’re either still touching your torso but not squished, or not touching your torso at all.
Hand placement
This is everyone’s biggest struggle point. What the hell do you do with your hands??
Here are some options:
Hands on hips (common pose)
Crossed in front of you
Play with your hair
Cross both arms then lift 1 hand up and put it on the side of your face gently
Both hands crossed under your chin
Crossed hands rested on your knee (sitting pose)
Elbows on a surface in front of you, with both hands up resting on your neck, face, etc.
Hands in the air
Holding a prop or product
Both hands holding your jacket or sweater at the buttons
There are so many other ways your photographer can help during your session, they should be guiding you into beautiful poses throughout the photoshoot. You can also prepare beforehand and look up flattering poses for your body type.
Everyone has insecurities about their body, so embrace that and look for the perfect poses for you. For example, when I look up “branding poses for short curvy women” (my body type) I find a ton of samples of other women who look like me and how their photographer posed them for their pictures.
When you’re ready for your lifestyle branding photography session that showcases the heart of your business, click the button below.
I can’t wait to create with you.