After the popularity of “Posing Tips: Make your Subject Feel (& Look) like a Model” I decided to share some posing secrets for portraits that are not as obvious. There are a few mirco-movements that make a major impact when posing for portraits.
As always, make your subject comfortable and feel at ease. The first 10 shots or so in a session I rarely let them see. They are just a way for us to find a rhythm and connect with this strange object I keep pointing in their face. After those initial shots and established relationship, then you can start to employ some of these secrets for posing in portraits.
Note: This is the very first post where the images were taken from a free stock photo website. This is due to the fact that I do not have permission from all my subjects to share and blog about our sessions. However, all tips are mine and ones I use often.
Secret #1 
Place the tongue to the roof of the mouth.
What it does: Creates a muscle tension/flex and lifts the chin skin up.
Area of Concern Addressed: Double chin/lack of a defined jaw
Use When: Shooting profile views or 3/4 views
Secret #2
Part the Lips
What it does: Creates a sultry look or elongates the face
Area of Concern Addressed: None- only an added effect. Can be useful for those with especially round faces when paired with a upper angle.
Use When: Shooting close ups or during boudoir sessions
Secret #3
Angle the face
What it does: Creates structure and gives interest. Defines the jaw and intensifies the eyes. Universally flattering.
Area of Concern Addressed: Lazy eyes – this is the best trick for an individual who may have a lazy eye which is especially prominent in photos. Angle the face and have them look in the direction of the lazy eye if possible. Shooting them straight on will not be flattering in most cases.
Use When: Shooting portraits or head shots
Secret #4
Hands on the waist (instead of the hips)
What it does: Creates a hourglass figure and gives the illusion of a smaller frame. Lifts the arms off the torso.
Area of Concern Addressed: Extra flowy clothes or a subject who has requested to look thinner (I get asked for this all the time).
Use When: Anytime you are tempted to say “Put your hand on your hips” . This will lift the arm from the torso which is good and flattering for how the camera picks up this part of the image, but it is not good for the size of the frame. Hands on the inner waist will cinch in the frame. This is also very helpful if your subject wore super flowy clothes since these have a tendency to drown your the form.
Secret #4
Lift the Collar Bone and Extend the Neck
What it does: Creates the illusion of a “thinner” look.
Area of Concern Addressed: None- only a effect (being thinner is desired by clients, but not something I think should ever be a “area of concern”)
Use When: Laughing photos or intense and serious photos (both will be intensified with this pose)
Secret #5
Cross your Ankles
What it does: Creates a point at the end of the frame and tilts the body slightly. Makes you appear taller.
Area of Concern: When two subjects are drastically different heights – have one subject cross ankles with one foot in front to appear taller.
Use When: Photographing couples or when using a wide lens (as those tend to make people look shorter and squatty)
That is all for now! Give it a shot and tell me how it goes. Or better yet, if you have some of your own secrets for posing, comment below. Thank you all!
