Seeking out and learning a lot of photography poses is the quickest and easiest route to becoming a sought out photographer. Even if you never decide to earn a living with photography, mastering the basic photography poses will put pizzazz in your photography. If you’ve decided to start getting YOUR percentage of oohs and ahhs, keep reading…

The Football player…

The most typical error I see in inexpert photos – and in more pro work than you might imagine is what I consider the “Linebacker” pose.

Consider a professional football player. (The U.S. kind, not what we in the U.S. call soccer.) Size is a large factor of their job. The more massive they are, the better. When they pose for photos, they try to face the camera straight on – with their shoulders looking as wide as they can. They want their hips and thighs to look huge as well.

The more of the frame they can fill, the better – looking intimidating is the objective.

Now imagine almost everyone else in the world…few of them are trying to appear intimidating in their photos.

Take Off The Excess Size…

To assist our model’s desire to shed that “linebacker” look, simply have them turn their shoulders so they’re about 45 degrees to the lens. This appears natural, and is a slimming pose. If they’re visible in the photo, their hips, legs and feet should be adjusted too.

Rule of thumb…Shoulders, hips, legs and feet should never be straight on to the camera.

Avoid The “Sumo Wrestler” Pose Too!

While linebackers want to appear broad – they don’t necessarily want to appear fat! The only photo subject I can think of that actively WANTS to look fat is a Sumo wrestler.

Throughout the known universe, and particularly in the U.S. we almost ALL feel that we look too fat! (With valid reason.) It has become almost an obsession. How often have you heard the saying “the camera adds 10 pounds?” To assist our models to visually lose some pounds, consider what makes us appear visually heavy! It’s the shadows!

We visually define shape by highlights and shadow. If we minimize shadows, people will appear slimmer. Have your models posing in dark clothing and the shadows disolve – and so does the weight.

Start employing these two photography poses ideas and you’ll see instant improvement in your photography.