Guest Post on Posing

One of my closest friend from college did a guest post for me on posing.  She had posted many fashion photography on her site and she is  ridiculously good at modeling, considering she is only doing it for fun (she is a full time doctor at Mayo!)  When I look at her blog, I am always amazed at how natural and gorgeous she looks so I asked her to do a guest post for me.  Christy has a wonderful sense of humor and I had such a good laugh reading it. I’ll have to try your advice Christy, they really do seem to work!  Her blog is sunnywithasideof.blogspot.com so check her out!  Also, I have to give credit to the guy behind the camera, her husband Aaron Chan.  He has such a good eye for composition and he picked up the camera not too long ago, I am very impressed!

My close friend, talented photographer, and now photography blogger Samantha Bartlett had asked me a few weeks ago to do a guest post on how to pose for the camera. I couldn’t help but snicker to myself because I still don’t have the faintest clue what I’m doing. If you watch Aaron and I take pictures, it’s usually me standing awkwardly, and Aaron saying stuff like: “Too stiff. Too fake. Smile more!! Your arm looks funny. Stop looking constipated. Look over there! Squirrel!!In any event, I thought I could have a little fun with this and share some of the top 8 go-to stances that have worked somewhat for Sunny with a side of. Yes, I collectively have named these poses:

1. THE “SMILE AT NOTHING”

 

This one is probably the easiest to do. Just relax your body and stare off at the nearest tree, lamp post or telephone wire, then think of something funny. You’d be surprised how well this technique works, and you still look somewhat natural.

 2. THE “WHATEVER”

Not a care in the world. Nope. Not paying any attention. Not listening.

3. “MY PRETEND EAR PIECE”

My hair often gets in the way, so may pictures are captured of me trying to tuck my hair back… which ends up looking like I’m talking on an invisible ear piece. It works, somehow.
Roger that.

4. “THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER”

 

Oh say can you see…

5. THE SIT

Sitting works much better than squatting- which is an awkward position to begin with, and I risk ripping my pants. The trick is to always keep your back straight.

 

6. MESSY HAIR

 

There are all sorts of ways you can mess with your hair, get closer portrait shots and have fun with it. It’s also much easier to do this when there is a strong wind out.

7. HIDE IN THE BUSHES

 

Use the nature around you to be part of the camera frame, especially if you need to hide your crooked skirts/pants.

8. THE “RE-ADJUSTING MY BOTTOMS”

In this case, my skirt was crooked. However, while you are adjusting your bottoms, you can turn it into a pose. This is a variation of “hands on the hips”, except I think this looks maybe a little bit less forced.

Top: Generously contributed by Lalamagic

Skirt: J.Crew

Bag: Target (Philip Lim)

Shoes: Ferragamo

Bottom line is, it doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner fashion blogger or top model, do what you are comfortable with. There’s really no right or wrong way, as long as you’re connecting with the photographer, enjoying the experience and having fun. With time, the rest will fall together naturally. Have an awesome weekend, everyone!!! Check out Samantha’s photography blog!