How to Pose Like A Model
the beginners guide to posing with tips from TREND45 models and photographers.
I joined TREND45 as a writer, not a model. When arriving in Tulum at the most serene resort I have ever stayed in, the photographers were obviously antsy to unload their gear and start snapping pictures. As for me, I was terrified.
Sure, I’ve had my photo taken hundreds of times, but my “photographer” has always been my mom, and my “posing instructions” have always been “just move around.” I don’t really think me jumping and dancing and twirling around in front of a real camera would result in me being taken very seriously.
Maya, the head of marketing and PR, was the first one to jump into the viewfinder. Shots of her in the salt water infinity pool or her lounging in the common area were delivered to her phone by the end of the night, and she looked stunning. Confident. Relaxed. I knew that I wanted pictures like that, but I also knew that I couldn’t rely solely on the photographers for a great image. I told myself that I wouldn’t be leaving with photos of me standing around awkwardly - or like a high school boy, hands clasped in front of me, legs apart, like a bodyguard - during my stay here. I needed to learn how to pose, and quick. Thankfully, I was surrounded by tons of people who could teach me a thing or two.
Photo by Serafim Mazurs
After breakfast on the second day I went to go shoot with Serafim, a TREND45 photographer. He took quick shots of me standing on the path that leads to the pool or sitting on the steps outside one of the villas. I figured he could help me out while we were shooting.
His advice: “just relax.” “Often times the candid shots are the best ones.”
I thought back to the first time I got professional photos taken - the obligatory senior pictures. After scrolling through the Instagram’s of several models and practicing their poses in the mirror, I had some inspiration. Unfortunately though, the poses looked better on the models than they did me. They looked forced. Uncomfortable. I will be taking Serafim’s advice and posing based on what feels good on my body.
Actually, everyone that I talked to gave me that same advice. Maya also threw in the suggestion to work with what you have. Throw your flowy dress. Tug on your high pony tail. Play with the laces on your sneakers. It keeps it interesting.
I was taken through a whole lesson on posing with Remy, the CEO of TREND45, who also happens to be signed with 7management. He modeled for me - my role being the pretend photographer - on the nude resort steps. Here’s what he taught me:
Don’t turn your eyes. Always look forward and just shift your head. We don’t want a shot where all you can see is the whites of your eyes!
Look in a different direction after every click. Every third click, change up your pose. This will ensure that you have a ton of variety in your shots in order to get the best one.
Never be symmetrical. Have one leg up or one arm across your body or something, but straight forward is never a move.
Do what feels good to you. Like Serafim also emphasized, comfort is key.
Photo by Lane Oliveri
The last person I asked for advice from comes from a little different photography background than the rest of the TREND45 team. Fashion photography. Lane is the bad ass female photographer of the group, and she had tons of advice to give. While she admitted that a lot of her advice was specific to the world of editorial, she did give me several things that apply to lifestyle as well. Starting with the small things, she told me that I should always have my feet pointed outward and my hands relaxed - or ballerina hands as she calls them. “I’ve been unable to use some photos because of the models feet and hands,” she told me. Another feature she mentioned every model works on is knowing their angles. What works for you is different from what works for me, etc., although she did recommend having your face either straight at the camera or at a quarter angle away from it. “I know it will be weird, but practice your facial expressions in the mirror,” was her next tidbit of advice. “Learn how to smile with your eyes.” I was ready to face the awkward encounter with my reflection in order to get the kind of image I longed for.
Later today, while the guests arrived in waves, we had a few hours of down time to shoot. I put these tips into practice and was incredibly impressed with what appeared on the camera display. I, just like the other stunning models I am on this trip with, looked stunning. Confident. Relaxed.