| Studying and learning various photography poses is | | | | Take Off The Excess Size... |
| the fastest and easiest route to becoming a sought | | | | To help our subjects shed that "linebacker" look, |
| after photographer. Even if you never decide to go | | | | simply have them turn their shoulders about 45 |
| "pro", mastering the basic photography poses will put | | | | degrees to the camera. This looks natural, and is a |
| pizzazz in your photography. If you want to start | | | | far more slimming pose. If they're visible in the photo, |
| getting YOUR share of oohs and ahhs, keep reading... | | | | their hips and feet should be turned as well. |
| The Linebacker... | | | | Rule of thumb...Shoulders, hips and feet should never |
| The most common error I see in amateur | | | | be straight on to the camera. |
| photography - and in more professional work than | | | | Avoid The "Sumo Wrestler" Look Too! |
| you may imagine - is what I call the "Linebacker" | | | | While linebackers want to appear broad - they don't |
| pose. | | | | necessarily want to appear fat! The only photo |
| Consider a professional football player. (The American | | | | subject I can think of that actively WANTS to look |
| kind, not what we in the U.S. call soccer.) Size is a | | | | fat, is a Sumo wrestler. |
| major component of their job. The bigger and wider | | | | We almost ALL think we look too fat, and "the |
| they appear to be, the better. When they pose for | | | | camera adds 10 pounds." To help our subjects visually |
| photographs, they will face the camera straight on - | | | | loose some weight, consider what makes us look |
| with their shoulders looking as wide as possible. They | | | | heavy! It's the shadows! |
| want their hips and thighs to appear huge as well. | | | | We define shape by highlights and shadow. If we |
| The more of the frame they can fill, the better - | | | | minimize shadows, people will look slimmer. Have your |
| intimidation is the object. | | | | models wearing dark clothing and the shadows |
| Now imagine almost everyone else in the world...few | | | | disappear - and so does the weight. |
| of them are trying to appear intimidating in their | | | | Start using these two photography poses and you'll |
| portraits. | | | | see immediate improvement in your photos. |