12 posing Ideas for a Photo Session on a Beach or in a Desert
A photographer is a person who is responsible for the success of a photo session. Even working with professional models, he must know the basics of posing and he must constantly remind the model what to do and what is better to avoid.
1. Frameworks
Frameworks are the first thing that we start discussing with my students when we talk about posing. Do not ‘glue’ to a wide shot, do not forget to take mid-shots, portraits and close-ups. Without these photos, your shooting will be boring.
2. Angles
Don’t mix with frameworks. It means when we take photos not only frontally, but also from the side (profile shot), from the back, from below (worm’s-eye view), from above (high-angle shot). Spin around the model like a bee. Then you will take not 2-3 good photos, but dozens of them at 1 location. You will get interesting and diverse photos.
3. Don’t look into the lens all the time
As soon as a person sees the photo camera, he starts looking exactly into the lens. You must not do it. There should be only 20-30 % of the photos with a look into the lens. Then ask the model to look away, look up, look down, past the photo camera, as it is ‘through’ the photographer. Such photos look more natural.
4. Relax
This is the first thing I say to the model at any photo session: “Relax!” If a person is nervous, tense or embarrassed, it will be very noticeable in the photo. Try to find contact with the model so that he or she feels comfortable working with you. Then the person feels relax, he starts to trust the photographer and everything goes like clockwork
5. Half-turn!
Do not place the model frontally to the camera. Such a pose rarely suits anyone: a little half-turn, a slight leaning forward. So, it will be great!
6. Crossed legs, stand on tiptoes
When you take photos in the sand, a person puts his legs wider for greater stability. It looks terrible in the photo. Yes, it's hard, I know, but you need to cross your legs or put them overlap, ideally stand on tiptoes. Then the legs will look longer and slimmer in the shot, and the model will look more elegant!
7. Once again about legs
It does not matter whether the model is posing standing or sitting, but it is important to remind the model constantly about her legs: the leg that is closer to the camera should be half-bent. So, legs look better, and the figure is slimmer. Don't you believe it? Take two shots and compare, you will be surprised.
8. Do not press your hand to your body
Even if a fragile girl presses her hand to her body or leans on it, the hand will deform and look ugly. It is necessary to remind the model about it many times during the photo session, keep an eye on it!
9. Pull in your stomach, straighten your back!
Yes, we are not shy. We have to talk about it to the model. It is relevant for both men and women. Take a couple of shots with a belly and a hunchbacked back and vice versa and show these shots to the model. He or she will see the difference and will follow this rule on his/her own.
10. Sharp edges
Avoid sharp edges when bending arms, legs and fingers. It's not very attractive when the bent elbow ‘looks’ into the lens.
11. Avoid cropping at joints
It is not advisable to crop the model on knees, elbows, etc. Try not to cut off hands when you take a portrait shot: ask the model to raise her hands, holding her hair or straightening jewellery. Then you will definitely not cut off her hands and the shot will be much more attractive.
12. Look for a suitable view point
All people are different and we have to find an approach to everyone: someone has an amazing profile, the view from above will ‘open eyes’ for others, making them bigger and ‘removing’ the second chin. Long and beautiful legs will look even better from below. We often forget about the view from the back and a little half-turn. Make experiments! Don't forget - we need an individual approach to each client!
