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Photography Poses - A Posing Guide Just For You

Photography Poses Can Be Hard To Recall On The Spot - Unless You Have Them Written Down
Gathering up all of your favorite photography poses and putting them in a notebook can give you a reliable posing guide that you can take on all of your shoots. Having a notebook like this will not only help you deal with unexpected problems that may come up but also help you plan on exactly what type of image you want to get. It will provide an excellent reference for any model on what pose you want and will speed up the whole shooting process.
There are posing guides out there for sale, but I decided long ago to come up with my own posing guide that has all of the photography poses and notes I find interesting and useful. A guide made especially for me, by me. This lens will show you how I created such an invaluable notebook and exactly what you need to do to create one for yourself. Once you get yours made, I guarantee that you will feel naked on photo shoots without it. You may even have to eventually start another, because odds are good it will fill up very fast with photo poses and notes. Posing for photos is never easy; help yourself and your model by providing a useful reference.
Photo by Scarleth White / flickr.
Flickr Can Be An Excellent Resource For Coming Up With Posing Ideas - Posing guide ideas come from looking at great images.
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Books On Photography Poses - For those that still want reference material from professionals.

Have you ever purchased a book on photography poses before?

Basic Setup of My Posing Guide
Contents, Photography Poses and Ideas
1-The first thing I did was to buy me a pocket-sized Moleskine notebook. Any notebook is acceptable, but I chose this brand because I wanted something durable.
2-I then decided how I wanted to divide up the notebook.
Section 1-Contents (3 pages).
I made up a few categories that was important to me and whenever a photography pose fit into that category I put its number in it. The categories were photography poses for men, women and both. The image to the right shows you what I'm talking about; the only difference is that each category had their own page. You can even highlight your favorite poses. The next step was to number the pages (starting after the contents). I numbered each page, as I wanted one page to have only one pose on it (front page-1, back of that page-2 and so on).
Section 2-The photography poses and notes (150 pages / bulk of content).
Section 3-Ideas section (30 or 40 pages).
These pages are set aside for interesting ideas that may come to you on your shoot you may want to try at some point in the future.
Image by YellowHammer.
Photo Poses For Couples
Coming up with photography poses for couples is all about letting it happen naturally.
The important thing to remember when posing couples is that less direction is often more. Let the couple do all the work. The interaction between two people who care about one another will always get you some interesting photos. The second most important thing is to get them to feel comfortable showing affection in front of you. A zoom lens is a good idea here, as the closer you are, the more uncomfortable they are likely to be.
One good trick to use is to have one tell what they like or find sexy about the other. They could take turns. Doing this often puts some kind of emotion in the shot, whether it be bad or good. Having them dress up in interesting clothes or putting them in interesting situations is a small part of it, but in my opinion, it's all about the emotion and body language.
Couples Posing in different settings
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More Books That Photgraphers Will Love - How may of these do you already have on your shelf?
Books like these will make you a better photographer whether you're photographing couples, groups or a single person.
Don't Want The People In Your Photos To Look So Stiff?
Then consider hiring a professional model.
One huge benefit of using professional models during a photo shoot is that they are used to being in front of a camera. I like to take pictures that don't look posed. People who aren't used to getting photos taken of them will often look stiff. The only drawback to using a modeling agency is that you usually have to pay them.
There are some websites such as Model Mayhem, One Model Place or Models.com in which you can sometimes trade time for prints, but not always. I am beginning to realize that hiring a model pays off in the long run, just be sure to know what you want to shoot as most charge by the hour.
Posing Alone
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Posing Tip #1
When doing portrait photography, try to get the subject to laugh and feel comfortable before the shoot. Try to build a good vibe between the two of you. Poses won't look as stiff and your pictures will come out much better.
Photography Poses On YouTube
While the poses below are modeled by a young woman, keep in mind that some of them may also work quite well for a man too.
Example Interior Pages of Posing Guide - Photography poses and notes.

First let me start off by saying I made the writing a little too big; most people's writing won't be this big unless they're using a Sharpie pen. The image that you see above is what is in the majority of my notebook. I number each photography pose, draw the figure and then add a few notes. If your the type of person who takes a lot of notes you could always use one side for the sketch and the other for notes in which case you would only have room in you notebook for half as many photography poses.
What you put in your notes will depend on what you like and what type of photographer you are. I like to put whether the image would be better for a male or female (or both), lighting preferences, mood, emotional state of model and clothing ideas. Keep in mind that you don't have to fill the page; a bare minimum of how you feel when you see the image is all that is really necessary in the beginning. I promise that you'll add more as you use the poses on shoots.
Sketches by YellowHammer.
Sketch Photography Poses - The perfect thing to use in a posing guide.

Although you could use photography poses cut out from a magazine (fastened by tape or glue), I like to sketch stick figures in mine. I found that when I used actual pictures I often sub-consciously copied the style and sometimes even the clothes. With bare-bones sketches you can truly create your own unique image.
If you are dead set on some color, why not use some colored pencils? I often put down what color I would like to use as a background against certain skin tones, and seeing as I don't know all the proper skin tone names, pencils come in really handy. Use them sparingly, though, or your posing ideas could turn into a bunch of style ideas.
Sketches by YellowHammer.
The Two Things You Need - When shooting out in public.
A good solidly put together notebook and a pen that won't break easily are mandatory items whenever I go on a photo shoot. You never know when a good idea will hit or when you'll need a good idea.
Finding The Perfect Way To Pose Your Model is Hard - These pictures may give you a little photographic inspiration.
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Posing Tip #2
This one is also about making your model feel comfortable. When going out on public shoots take with you some sheets or shower curtains and hangers so you can jury rig a place for your subject to change in private. You don't want them to change out in the open.
11 Great Photography Poses
Great Photos That You Can Actually Own
Most photos that are actually being sold to the public are fantastic sources for inspiration not only for poses, but point of view and style as well. They will give you all kinds of photo shoot ideas and can help you become a better photographer if you're willing to study them.
Lucinda in London, 1959 (12 x 12 in. Art Print)
Photo by Georges Dambier
Buy for $9.99
Man Balancing in a Dance, Yoga Pose (16 x 16 in. Photographic Print)
Photo by Monsoon Images
Buy for $19.99
Fashion Model Wearing Amazing Hat (22 x 28 in. Art Print)
By John French
Buy for $19.99
Mountain Biker on Cliffs, Turnagain Arm, Alaska, USA
16 x 12 in. Photographic Print
Photo by Paul Souders
Buy for $24.99
Little Ballerina (9 x 12 in. Art Print)
By David Handley
Buy for $9.99
Cowgirl in Heaven (20 x 16 in. Art Print)
Photo by David R. Stoecklein
Buy for $19.99
Woman Floating In Water / Weeki Wachee Spring, Florida
16 x 16 in. Photographic Print
By Toni Frissell
Buy for $19.99
How to Make You Love Me by Elizabeth May
16 x 16 in. Photographic Print
Buy for $19.99
Cowboy and Cowgirl Silhouetted on a Ridge in the Big Horn Mountains, Wyoming, USA
12 x 9 in. Photographic Print
By Joe Restuccia III
Buy for $19.99
Marilyn Monroe - 24 x 36 in. Poster
Buy for $7.99
Clint Eastwood - 14 x 11 in. Photo
Buy for $14.99
Knowledge - 18 x 24 in. Art Print
Buy for $11.99
A Great Place To Go For Posing Ideas
Wonderful ways to direct your subject.
Pose Maniacs is a website that has thousands of 3-D rendered models that you can actually rotate to get a full all around view of the pose you're interested in. It is mainly used by artists learning to draw the human form, but I've found it perfect for getting good ideas for the camera as well. The only drawbacks are that the models have no skin (so you can see muscles) and in some of the poses there are only subtle differences. Despite this, the site is worth a visit. Below is the link.
Posing Tip #3
Never have more people than you need on a photo shoot and always allow the model to bring someone along if that makes them feel more comfortable. A comfortable model is always more photogenic and relaxed. You are also likely to get more natural poses from them than you would otherwise.
Want To Shoot In Low Light? - You need the right kind of lens.
Ever notice that when you take photos in low light that they are often not as sharp as they should be? One easy remedy to that is to use a lens with a lower f-stop. Either a 1.4 or 1.8 is recommended when shooting people less than ideal lighting conditions. This is the lens you're going to need for when shooting at dusk, dawn or night, and when combined with a sexy pose will produce an amazing picture. You really won't believe the difference until you experience it for yourself.

Canon also makes a more solid 50 mm lens with an even lower f-stop (1.4). It will do even better, but it will cost you more money.
The one to the right should serve you well, unless you plan to use it and abuse it a lot.
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Photography Poses - Ideas Can Come From Anywhere - Any thoughts on posing people that you'd like to share with others?
I have a great book on pinup photography with poses. I also like your choice of prime lens. It's the one I use!
Great tips. Poses can be very difficult to explain to the model especially if they are not professional. Your drawing are a great way to show them what to do. Thanks for the help.
great lens! didn't realized till now, that this is actually real issue... huh!
Great lens with great ideas. I am in the process of putting together my swipe book and will definitely check out the website you suggested
Very helpful tips. Great lens!
I know in some of the photography that I have done that posing was always the biggest challenge and also the biggest opportunity to make a great photo. Awesome information above.
Great looking lens and good tips for creating quality photos.
Great looking Lens! Cool tips this is helpful for photography addicts like me, Thanks!
you click nice photo you did fabulous job.........
I love Photography and have had many experiences in it, professional as well as just hobbiest. It always bring light to peoples lives when they can see the beauty that they hold inside. Helping them let it out is wonderful and rewarding. Great lens thanks for sharing it
Nice couple poses!
Most people love to pose for the camera, this lens is really interesting.
Will be bookmarking this lens, what a great resource - full of good ideas and well written.
Hi, I really liked this lens.
I am just getting back into the industry (model/casting) after a 10yr break so need to get a new portfolio sorted and your lens on poses was amazing, thank you.
Brilliant ideas and great photos. Thanks!
I like this lens because it shows the other side of my modeling job. The photoshoots I do won't work if the photographer doesn't know what poses look good as well. Great lens with tons of information!
Woman floating in water is awesome! Fun Lens!
@anonymous: it is really great
Great lens. Getting people to smile naturally can be difficult. I try to get them to do something silly and them catch them when they're not expecting it.
dejavu international models is also a great agency that would trade models for prints.
I love the woman floating in water. It just looks so peaceful.
Excellent lens with tips and ideas drawn from your own experience. Thanks for sharing.
You have spent hours and hours preparing this excellent guide to successful photography poses with wonderful insights and tips all along the way that will be helpful at any level and your drawings with notes are sure to get you just what you planned. Having to leave a little angel dust on this excellence!
I do snap shots. Posing doesn't really matter me. However, facebook photo tags are too popular. I think everyone should learn posing ;-)
Great idea for getting more variety in portrait photography. I need to do this.
Wow this lens was fantastic! I've never thought about writing down my posing ideas! Good job! Cheers
Fantastic lens with a really interesting range and collection of poses - very useful, I'm sure, for all photographers attempting to photograph people :-)
Very well organized and presented.
Nice lens with great photos!
Interesting lens! I am not completely comfortable in front of the camera but I'm learning.
amazing tips. thanks for sharing
Great tips!
My brother is the photographer in our family:)
Great lens idea! Informative and inspirational!
Quite excellent information here, indeed! Thanks so much for sharing - blessed by a SquidAngel!
Dang, I had to bookmark this page. Great and I mean great!
This is inspirational! Thank you for sharing your expertise.
Amazing tips.. i really impress with all your tips.. thanks
Like it - who knew there was so much involved...?
I have never thought about photography poses - that's probably where I was going wrong. A very interesting lens - thank you.
I like your suggestion of doing stick sketches first.
very pro! thanks for those posing tips, it was indeed very helpful .. thanks, keep up.
Very helpful to an aspiring photographer, great tips on posing. Your comments about using other images for inspiration is very useful, and having a notebook is a wonderful idea that I hadn't thought of before. Thanks!
Awesome Lens! loved it and its really helpful too
This is my favorite! i love this lens, you should have A+.
Thanks, these are all great ideas. I love photography and always am willing to hear some great tips.
Thank you for the great ideas. Will definitely help me in my quest to be a better photographer.
Great! Some nice ideas!
Fantastic!
Thanks for all of the ideas!
great ideas great photos
Now, if onloy I could remember where my camera was packed. But the lens is well composed and has lots of ideas for those who may really need the info. Thanks!
Great lens... It's giving me an excuse to buy a fancy Moleskine notebook!
I like to tell my models to visualize a clock face on the floor and then place her feet at the 3:00 position and the 9:00 clock position which gives her an open stance...places feet at different hours on the imaginary clock is a good exercise for fashion and print models.
Thanks or adding the very educational video.
Wow, this is one of those lenses about an idea I would have never thought of. You provide a ton of great information and helpful advice. Well done!
Li Li
Even as a professional photographer, I love this guide and learned things from it! I've always swung more toward the candid/photojournalistic side of photography, and even with my film directing experience, I used to just choke up entirely on posing people for portaits. Useful guides to posing get an A+ from me! :)
Very cool idea, like the woman floating in water. Most of the ladies probably enjoy Clint floating in the tub. ha! Squid Angel blessed!
@JohnAtker: I've been in that situation before and it really does no good for your ego. It's amazing how a simple posing sketchbook like this can make you more confident. I've been using one for years.
This is just what I was looking for. A lot of photography sites explain how to pose someone and take the picture (which you should know), but I was just looking for ideas. I will be making my own posing sketch book based on your suggestions. Thanks!
Wonderful Lens!. I really like the images. thanks for sharing it. http://www.squidoo.com/photographersinindia-com
Great Lens. I have a lens over what's the best camera for you. It goes over point and shoot cameras and dslr cameras. So if your interested make sure and check it out.
This is a FANTASTIC lens and extremely thorough. This will prove useful for models and photographers alike.. looks like a lot of hard work went into this and it shows- great work!
www.modelmentors.com
I like the idea of making your own field posing guide book and using stick figures as a base. I find that when I look at a photo, I often find myself trying to match not only the pose, but the mood and clothing as well.
Great tips! Thanks
Nice it is really cool to see such post, I have one with same topic Photography I would like to see your comments there, so that i can Improve the same.
Nice tips for all photographers out there dealing with models. When you are behind the camera you get like a mental block and you can't seem to figure out how to make the model look more natural in a pose and not stiff or uncomfortable :) Nice!
Your sketches rock! What a cool idea that is.
Thanks for the tips! I really like the sketches!
cool lens. Some beautiful photographs here.
Great ideas... Now if I could only get your lens in my backpack.... :))
I love the sketches! What a great way a great way to record ideas and develop new photography poses
. Thanks for sharing.
nice lens, thanks
I love photography, all these tips are helpful, thank you.
Interesting subject matter. I never really thought about posing in photography. You've offered some great tips! Angel Blessings**
Unique and interesting lens on photography poses. I'd like to explore photography a little in the future. It's a wonderful hobby to have. Thanks for sharing your notes.
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