Top 10 Photo Posing Tips: Help Your Clients Look Great

We know how important brand photography is in helping shape our clients' brand identity. 

So, how can you make sure they look their absolute best in every shot?

I share a few guidelines and tips with my clients ahead of their photo shoot and even the day of as we're getting set up to help them feel more confident in front of the camera AND so that we make sure we're capturing the most flattering angles! It works wonders to set these expectations ahead of time!

As the portrait photographer, you are the guide and expert (even if you have moments when you doubt this).

Your clients will be looking to you for direction, so make sure to communicate that they can absolutely ask for help throughout the shoot. 

Remind them that you don't expect them to be a posing expert. Have a few go-to poses in your toolkit that look great for everyone, so you can whiz through a nice variety and don’t have any awkward pauses.

My Top 10 Photoshoot Posing Tips

1. Give the hands something to do

Hands tell a story. But they also need something to do; otherwise, they tend to go all t-rex, and more often than not, when that happens, clients clam up and start to feel awkward. Make sure you're directing their hands as well as their body! They could be twirling a lock of hair, adjusting their glasses, or even holding a favorite pair of heels. Anything works as long as it suits their branding and tells the right story. A slight angle of the hand can make a big difference in how relaxed they look.

2. Keep it moving

Avoid having your clients hold a pose for too long, as it may feel and look unnatural. Try changing postures, moving around, and encouraging different expressions during the shoot to capture a variety of shots. At all points and poses throughout the shoot, have them move through the pose (rather than sit in it frozen) for the most natural look. This will give them a great selection of candid photos AND keep them from feeling stagnant.

3. Dress for success

Clothing can be a fun part of the posing process. If your client is a little nervous, advise them to search for outfits that would be fun to pose in. Ones that help them step into a more unstoppable version of themselves! Flowy wardrobe is beautiful on camera when movement is introduced, as well! As always, make sure to advise them to stick to clothing that they feel confident in and matches their branding. The best model poses can come from confidence in their wardrobe choices.

4. Triangles and space

There's a reason you see a lot of unique shapes in magazines and high fashion photography! It's different, intriguing, and catches the eye. Not saying it works for everyone and all businesses, but triangles are great (and flattering) shapes to make in photography. The space they create allows for a breakup of the body, meaning your subject may look slimmer as their clothing has room to breathe. This bit of space can create a more interesting composition and help avoid a double chin effect.

5. Play with props

Your clients' audiences are likely tired of seeing the same type of photo all the time, so encourage your clients to be playful and inject their personality into the images! Props can be a focal point that makes a huge impact, and using different things can bring out natural poses and candid moments.

6. Fake it till you make it and channel your inner diva

Remind your clients that even professionals don't get it right the first time! Beyoncé created a persona to help her show up as her most powerful, fierce self, and there's nothing wrong with faking it till they make it. In fact, have them imagine themselves as someone they admire—be it a celebrity, an entrepreneur, or a friend who's a brilliant poser. Encourage them to embody that confidence in front of a mirror before stepping in front of the camera. This can help them find their perfect pose.

7. Take breaks

Sometimes, we just need a break! If your client is starting to overly question themself or appear a bit uncomfortable, take a break together, shake it out, and revisit the shot list. A deep breath and a break can reset the energy, leading to more natural smiles and a more successful vibe throughout the entire body.

8. Work off inspiration

A key step in the brand photoshoot planning process is to have your client share photos that inspire them (pinterest is my favorite way to do this), but it's important to know what aspect of the images they're inspired by (is it the outfit? the location? the prop? the facial expression? the specific pose?) AND to be clear that the goal is to be inspired rather than to copy! Working off inspiration boards during my client shoots has been a great way to ensure that they'll leave with as many of their priority shots covered as possible, capturing both classic poses and more candid poses that reflect their true personality.but it's important to know what aspect of the images they're inspired by (is it the outfit? the location? the prop? the facial expression? the POSE?) AND to be clear that the goal is to be inspired rather than to copy! Working off inspiration boards during my client shoots has been a great way to ensure that they'll leave with as many of their priority shots covered as possible.

9. Turn up the tunes and shake it out

Music is transformative. Find out what playlists make your clients feel powerful and make sure to download the list before you leave wifi! Encourage them to let the music guide them (this is best to do after they've warmed up and are feeling more comfortable). Dynamic movement images are incredible, especially when paired with good posture and natural expressions. It’s also a good idea to mix up your focal lengths to get a variety of shots.

10. Perfection is overrated!

Remind your clients that they're not going to like all of their images, and that's perfectly normal. What's not ok is for them to let it dampen their mood or to speak negatively about themselves—it doesn't serve any purpose mid-photoshoot! Instead, vocalize what needs to be adjusted, and we go for take 2! Keeping the energy up is important as it will translate in the photos, and help them feel great about their body shape, no matter the pose.

Final Thoughts

In the end, we want our clients to look natural, professional, approachable, and whatever other way they need to for their specific business needs. It's about open communication, kindness, and showing rather than telling, so make sure you're demonstrating the poses as well! Remember, the best side of your client is the one that reflects their confidence and personality.

---