Posing Senior Portraits

Posing graduates is always tricky. I often hear “I don’t know what to do with my hands” or “Now what? Do I look awkward?”. As a photographer, you are the director during a photo shoot time. Knowing how to pose for others is a skill that is required anymore to achieve dream photos for your clients.

Starting with sitting poses always sets my clients at ease as I talk with them and make conversation learning more about who they are as an individual.

For females having them cross their ankles always makes their legs look much longer.
Have males take a wide stance and prop their elbows on their knees.
Prop the back leg up and extend the other, always have them sit tall and arch their back slightly.

Action poses can help lighten their nerves before posing in more static ways. Giving them fun prompts or just having them skip around always makes them laugh and have a good time. Females love action poses so I always try and get some in the mix.

Have them walk away from you then turn around and walk back.
Skipping while twirling to look at the camera.
Place the camera low to the ground and have them twirl slightly above your camera.

Your static standing poses always seem to be the worst to get but can be the best for prints. Joking with your muse and bringing out their personality is what always makes a great photo and gets you amazing reviews.