How to Pose for Outfit Photos

Months ago I got an email from Kristin asking me to write a post on “Posing” for pictures, and as it would turn out one of my favorite parts about the blogging process is taking pictures, so it only seemed like an obvious choice to make. Now, it’s been a little longer than we both anticipated, but better late than never right?

So, with that being said, when it comes to posing you have to feel natural, some people are natural smilers and some, well, have to work for it (ie: me). Not everyone is ready to jump in front of the camera and work it. It seriously took me forever to get used to shooting with my husband and I have a modeling background (two babies and a what seems like a lifetime ago). I literally would freeze and get ridiculously shy, but we pushed on and I got more more comfortable playing around and seeing what worked for me, now it just comes naturally. I always suggest to first get comfortable with a tripod or self timer and then move on to someone else taking your pictures. Just make sure you’re comfortable, otherwise it just wont work…trust me…I have some hot messes to prove it.

As far as posing goes, not everyone knows this, but I’m actually really petite, so I love opting for poses that elongate my structure, thus making me appear longer and showing off my favorite features.

Try going for asymmetrical poses, by doing something different with each body part. For instance try putting your hand on your waist (it defines your waistline and shows off the smallest area, thus making you appear curvier/thinner) and then bending your leg out. You can go for a subtle look or go bolder making the appearance of a “4” with your legs.

Use your body and outfit as a prop, try sweeping your hair behind your ear, adjusting your bracelets, collar or jacket sleeve. It keeps it from being the same shot over and over.

Slouching is sometimes better than standing up straight, it helps you get loose. Don’t go full hunchback of Notre Dame on me..

Angling your self with your side facing the camera always help the elongating process, you can either opt for spacing your legs out or tilting your body back a little bit.

Try pointing your nose away from the camera, straight on is great when you’re going for dramatic, but angling away can also show off some of your other fabulous features while giving a softer look. When you do this, tilt your chin up a little bit.

And then there’s smiling…one of the best ways to improve a picture, but not always the easiest. If you’re not loving how your pictures are looking with your best smile forward, try the age old rule of sticking your tongue behind your top teeth and angling your chin up slightly, it will nix any double chin action that might be on the horizon…

Also, think about something funny…you want to really smile, not fake it. I’m lucky I have a somewhat amusing photographer, so most of the time I’m having a hard time keeping a straight face.

Last but not least, you don’t have to stand up. You can angle yourself on edges, sit on benches or simply squat down (but be careful, it’s tricky not appearing like you’re relieving yourself, funny, but not so stylish).

Now go out, take a few pictures and play with your poses! Don’t forget to have fun for the most natural look.

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Thanks to our lovely contributor, The Fashion Chameleon, AKA Megan Zietz, for her tried and true tips on posing for photos…