Posing Techniques for Location Portrait Photography by Jeff Smith

JEFF SMITH’S
POSINGTECHNIQUES
for Location Portrait Photography
Amherst Media®
PUBLISHER OF PHOTOGRAPHY BOOKS

Copyright © 2008 by Jeff Smith.
All rights reserved.
Published by:
Amherst Media, Inc.
P.O. Box 586
Buffalo, N.Y. 14226
Fax: [phone]
www.AmherstMedia.com
Publisher: Craig Alesse
Senior Editor/Production Manager: Michelle Perkins
Assistant Editor: Barbara A. Lynch-Johnt
Editorial Assistance: Carey A. Maines
ISBN-13: 978-1-58428-225-9
Library of Congress Control Number: 2007926866
Printed in Korea.
10987654321
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechani-
cal, photocopied, recorded or otherwise, without prior written consent from the publisher.
Notice of Disclaimer: The information contained in this book is based on the author’s experience and opinions. The au-
thor and publisher will not be held liable for the use or misuse of the information in this book.

Introduction ...............................6
1. The Goals of Posing ........................8
Suit the Purpose of the Image . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Enhance the Style of the Image . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
FlattertheSubject...........................9
Yield More Marketable Images . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
2. Critical Decisions ........................13
Determine the Intended Use of the Portrait . . . . . .15
ChoosetheClothing........................17
ChoosetheSetting .........................19
ChoosetheLighting ........................21
Choose the Style of the Pose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Traditional Posing .......................23
Casual Posing ...........................24
Journalistic Posing .......................24
Glamorous Posing ........................24
PracticalExample ..........................26
3. Flatter the Client ........................29
Basic Guidelines for Posing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Explain Problems with Tact .................30
Observe the Details .......................31
Don’t Rely on Digital Fixes .................32
TheHead ................................32
Tilt ...................................32
The Eyes ...............................35
Mouth and Expression .....................40
Hair ..................................40
ChinandNeck ............................44
ShouldersandSpine ........................45
Arms ...................................47
Long Sleeves ............................47
Posing the Arms .........................47
Using the Arms to Conceal Problems ...........48
Hands...................................48
Bend Every Joint? ........................48
Give Them Something to Hold or Rest On .......50
TABLE OF CONTENTS 3
Table of Contents

Fists ..................................51
Bustline .................................51
Waistline .................................52
HipsandThighs ...........................53
Standing Poses ...........................55
Seated Poses .............................56
Legs ...................................60
Ankles .................................60
Muscle Tone ............................60
Color and Nylons ........................60
Posing Techniques ........................60
The “Deadly Sins” of Leg Posing ..............62
Feet ...................................63
Bare Feet ..............................63
Minimizing the Apparent Size ...............64
Posing the Toes ...........................64
Shoe Selection ...........................64
MovingForward...........................64
4. Posing on the Ground .....................66
Clothing and Location Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67
Disguise Problem Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67
ChooseRestingPoses .......................68
FindPosingAids...........................70
ComposeCarefully .........................70
Technical Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70
PhotographingGroups ......................71
AdditionalTips ............................75
5. Seated Posing ...........................77
FindingaSeat .............................77
CommonProblemAreas.....................78
Hips and Thighs .........................78
Waistline ..............................79
GroundthePose...........................79
Angle the Body and Lean Forward . . . . . . . . . . . . .81
Arms ...................................83
Compositional Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83
4 JEFF SMITH’S POSING TECHNIQUES FOR LOCATION PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY