How to pose your model? or ...
How to pose as a model?
- Personal experience, and problems -
Back in the days ... when I first stepped into a professional studio with a fresh freelance model, we both had no clues what we were doing ...so we cranked up the stereo and just danced around and pulled random 'poses' from thin air.
Soon, models after models; I have entered a 'copy-cat' phase, I started collecting fashion magazines, scanned the pics that were inspirational; also, I googled every single major Models Managements out there, and started learning how the pro-models pose for their modeling books.
The first year of my professional model-shooting career was very easy and exciting, there were endless creativity and ideas on poses and themes. Three years and couple hundreds models/clients later, a repetitive pattern occurred; I was running out of creative 'juice' in the right-brain sort of speak. It was time to consult the left-brain and create a logical 'formula' on how to pose models, especially for new models that have no clues on how to pose. (see the tips below)
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| Model: Elisa Grandjean Photographer: Luo Qi Location: Image Style Studio *My officially first 'fashion-ish' shoot with a freelance model. |
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| Model: Elisa Grandjean Photographer: Luo Qi Location: Image Style Studio *My officially first studio shoot with a freelance model. |
Before we get into the 'posing' tips, photographers need to answer the above questions.
If the shoot is for a modeling portfolio, then the goal is to 'sell' the look of the model; the purpose of posing is to emphasize on certain 'features' of that particulate model.
Examples: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=212471&id=642860361
If the shoot is for a designer's lookbook, then the goal is to 'sell' the fashion design; the purpose of posing is to emphasize the design pieces and the branding image - i.e classy, elegant, or naughty and sexy.
Examples: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=178670&id=21456200758
Tips for photographers:
- Start a 'poses' reference book/folder, google 'models managements' and study their portfolios.
- Start an 'inspirational' reference book/folder, by scanning magazines or research online.
- Before 'posing', have a friendly chat with the model first, break-through the 'stranger phase'.
- Knowing the model's 'comfy zone', and their 'best features' i.e legs, abs, hair, eyes, back ...
- Study the 'outfits', what is the model wearing and in what occasions a real person will be wearing it...
- Study the model's 'look' and personality, try use simple key words to describing it ...
- Never stress the model out, always keep a happy working environment ...
- Create a fun & energetic shooting environment, put on the model's favorite type of music, not yours!
- Instead of telling the model to pull a 'sexy' expression, asking him/her to project sexy images in their mind.
- A glass or two Champagnes will always ease the shyness and soften the 'edge' (drink responsibly!!)
- Give the model's self-confidence boost whenever possible, never blame the model!
- As a photographer, start practicing all the 'poses' as well; learn how the human body works.
- Ask the model about their favorite actor/actress, and ask them to project 'hero' images in their mind.
- Study the 'micro facial expressions', and practice them yourself (feel free to email me for more info on this)
- Keep a hobby studying famous models, actresses, and actors; it's easy to say 'let's try 'Kate Moss' today'
- Always try to give a reason on each 'posing' decision made ...
Inspirational link: http://papermode.trendland.net/
If you have any questions or if I missed something, please leave a comment below the post :)
... now for freelance models ...
During the past 3 years of my professional career, 80% of my clientele and models that I have shot were beginner freelance models. 'Posing' was always a challenge, they looked so easy in fashion magazines or on TV; but, when you are in the middle an empty studio filled with 500W flash lights, especial with a 'stranger' photographer that gives no directions at all ... it is stressing! Here are few survival tips when you are facing a newbie photographer or an arrogant 'pro' ...
Luo Qi's three 'golden rules' on model's posing:
1. 'Levitation' - always and whenever possible, keep yourself as 'tall' as you can; work on your posture; even when you are posing a 'slacking' pose, still try to imagine that you are 'growing' taller and 'levitating' ...
2. 'Do the turtle' - always keep your chin forward, 'neck-out', without pushing your bottom jaw out; you'll feel like an emu or E.T, but, the result will look good, the purpose is to avoid 'double chins' and create an elegant 'jaw/neck-line'.
3. 'This is NOT a photo shoot' - even tho you have a camera in your face! Try not to think you are getting your picture taken, no one likes to see your 'passport' face; in your mind, focusing on your modeling dream and this is the moment you shine; just give the photographer your best, and 'let's drop few jaws'!!
Tips for models:
- Practice makes perfection, that's what your bath room mirror is for ...
- It's not shame to be a 'copy-cat', search for couple of idols and start 'copying' their signature moment ...
- Self-confidence, forget about 'he said, she said'; you are the best and you know it!
- Learn your body movement, and facial expression; join a yoga, dancing, or drama class, or self-taught ...
- Know your best 'features' your better 'side' and let the photographers know too ...
- Forget the word - shy - because you are a model, I found extremely hard to work with shy models ...
- Always have a look at what you are wearing, positioning yourself in real-life events, what would you most likely be doing rather than 'posing' ...
- Avoid 'cat walk' poses, so boring and overly done to death; but mastering that first ...
- Never bite your teeth, keep a cm gap in between; try to relax your face as much as you can ...
- Whenever you are looking into a camera, you are looking at 'million' real audiences right in the eyes; hence, there should be a 'message' passing from your eyes to theirs; i.e flirting, seductive, provocative ...
- If the shoot is for a commercial campaign, there should be a 'creative brief' somewhere for you to study...
- Sometime, best images are created from photographer and model 'go nuts' and have fun and pull silly faces and poses ... :)
- Keep studying modeling portfolios from world class modeling agencies, such as 2pm, DNA, IMG, STORM, FORD, and many more ... google 'Models Management' or 'Modeling Agency'
Inspirational link: http://papermode.trendland.net/
If you have any questions or if I missed something, please leave a comment below the post :)
Case-study from my recent shoots:
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| Model: Nitasha Thakur Photographer: Luo Qi Hair/Makeup: Penny Ngu Styling Advice: Luo Qi @ fh. Luo Qi © 2011 |
- Key words: Elegant, Classy, Innocent, Feminism still kept the sexiness ...
- Nitasha has long hair, but after the styling I have decided to ask Penny to make her hair up to emphasize on her neck/jaw-line ...
- Focusing features - eye-line, lips, neck-line,collar bones, waist /hip curve, legs ...
- 'Posing' directions - cross legs to make them look 'longer n' thiner', also gives an elegant/innocent feeling; relax arms, because it's already a lot going on there ... kick the bum out to create curves, she has kept her back very straight, while keeping the shoulders a bit forward and relaxing ... she's 'doing the turtle' to create better neck/jaw line ... very subtle n' relaxing facial expression, I instructed her to gaze away into the 'wonderful imaginary landscape' and thinking about the 'prince charming' ... :)
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| Model: Ariane Éléonore Cotté Photographer: Luo Qi Hair/Makeup: Tam Scully Styling Advice: Luo Qi @ fh. Luo Qi © 2011 |
- Key words: Healthy, Gymnastic, Summer, Sexy, Seductive, Attitude, Megan Fox ...
- Focusing Feature - Killer Abs, legs, bust/waist, gorgeous hair/color, attitude, sharp jaw, fuller lips, eyes ...
- 'Posing' direction - The idea to 'rest' her right arm on her head, is to stretch the waist muscle and abs making her 'taller', killer abs, and more 'curvy' (also keeps the hoodie in position) ... left thumb is in the 'open' shorts' pocket to create a 'pulling off' intension, making the image a bit more provocative and adds a bit of sexiness ... I instructed her to imagine Angelina Jolie or Megan Fox in that outfit in her mind ...
Thanks for reading ... all critiques and comments are welcomed ...
Luo Qi © 2011
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