Strike A Pose

11 picture posing techniques from a model and beauty contestant.

At a time when Social Media is deeply woven into mainstream culture and society, it is no surprise a well-polished photo is an important representation of your personal brand or business image. Ironically, making the “first impression” is no longer defined by a handshake or a smile. But it is now established by how well a portrait photo looks on Facebook, or how striking a pose appears on Instagram!

Before I started sharing my personal style and photos on Instagram, I never knew how hard it would be to pose for a “wow” photo. There are many factors that come into play like lighting, body shape, height, age, angle, shades, and outfit. It takes multiple camera clicks, turns, poses, and movements to get it perfect. And in reality, no one has the time or patience to spend 15 minutes trying to achieve the perfect photo pose. As busy women, we got some serious stuff to get done at work and at home caring for family, but the perfect pose is a necessity for a business owner or a corporate professional.

Then I thought to myself, why not put together a list of practical photo poses for women based on an expert’s advise? So I reached out to my young friend Solo who is a trained model, and a former beauty contestant with this idea. She loved the idea and we set a date at my house to do a photo shoot. At that point, I learned that the perfect photo pose requires effort and multiple clicks even for professional models! This made it that much important for me to write a blog and help you (and me) learn basic professionally polished poses for photos. So stand in front of your mirror and let’s get the show going:

The confident pose

This is an easy and cute pose for a photo. Just stand up straight facing the camera. Place one hand on your hip and push your hip out sideway. Then, place the other hand straight down your thigh and stretch your leg sideway.

The elegant pose

This pose is similar to the first one for the arms but different leg placement. Place your hand on one hip; bring your front leg forward with a slight bend and toes pointing forward. Place your other hand straight down your thigh and keep the leg on the same side straight. Sometimes a very simple change to the way you stand can make the perfect pose for a picture.

The “Check My Arm Candy” pose

Stand sideways and turn your face towards the camera. The leg facing the camera should be bent at the knee, lift your foot and point your toes down.

The “Prim And Proper” pose

Want longer legs? Go for this classic royal pose perfected by Prince Diana and Duchess Kate. Sit up straight on a chair or coach with both hands on one thigh, and while keeping your legs closed, move both legs sideways at an angle. Yeah and make sure to keep your feet pointed out to get the perfect pose idea.

The “Power House” pose

This is a fierce pose typically seen in magazine shoots yet so simple. Again sitting down with a correct straight posture, bring one leg forward with a slight gap between both legs and place both hands on the back knee. I’d like to add this pose to the next photo-shoot.

The “I’m Too Sexy For Your Party” pose

It’s a combination of a chilled seductive pose perfect for Instagram pictures. Sitting in a straight posture, hands on your sides with one hand slightly tucked back, pull one leg up, bend it and place it on the coach. The other leg goes above the bent one and just below the kneecap.

The “Princess” pose

This pose is very similar to the “Prim and Proper” pose but legs are straight and crossed with the front foot pointing down. This is a great posing idea for a photo when wearing a short dress.

The “Staircase” pose

The infamous “staircase pose”: This is my personal favourite photo posing idea. So, whether indoor or outdoor, this is the perfect staircase pose that makes you look taller. Sit few steps above ground level and stretch your legs down the staircase at an angle with your front foot pointing down. To elongate your torso, place your arm back and rest it a step or two behind.

The “Classic Railing” pose

Stand at the bottom of the staircase and place both hands on the bottom post. Turn your body slightly towards the camera and push your bum outwards. With your legs close, bend your front leg at the knee, pull your foot up as if you’re standing on your tippy toe.

The “Classic Railing 2” pose

The “Classic Railing Pose 2”: For this picture posing idea, stand at the bottom of the staircase and place the back hand on the bottom post and the front hand on your waste. Turn your body slightly towards the camera and your head tilted down. With your legs close, bend your back leg at the knee, pull your foot up as if you’re standing on your tippy toe

The “Lean On Me” pose

Stand sideway and lean your back shoulder on the wall. Cross your arms and tilt your head down a bit while facing the camera. Stand with the legs slightly wide open and bend the back leg at the knee. Smile

All these stands and photo posing ideas were brought to you courtesy of Solomya Skoryk, a talented Canadian model. The names of these poses are fictional and made up by Elle Muse for your entertainment.

In summary: Make sure to save these photo poses in your Pinterest photo idea folder for when you need them. You could surely accessorize the look with a smile, shades, pout and various outfits and shoes.  Happy posing.