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Modeling Tips and Tricks |
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The Winner, By A Pose
Think you need flawless looks and a perfect body to be a model? Think again! The single most important asset a professional model needs may be easily acquired: the art of the pose. Strategically positioning yourself in front of a camera, creating eye-catching visual effects without direction or hand-holding: that's what the art of the pose is all about. And while most photographers will help you with some coaching and conversation on the set, this aspect of your job as the model will be, for the most part, entirely up to you.
Where to start? Look for examples and learn from the best: create a pose guidebook as a reference, just for you. Begin with a scrapbook or binder of magazine clippings. Choose shots that really draw your eye. Look for lots of angles, attitude, and motion. Try to gather at least 10-15 examples to start, focusing on variety. Think of each picture as a collection of lines. How often do the lines intersect, curve and swerve? What sorts of shapes do the lines create? The more complicated the shape, the more interesting the pose.
Select poses from various channels (advertising, editorial, even paparazzi). It is unlikely you will be working for only one type of client, especially if you are a beginner. You also want to remember how you factor into each pose: if you love a pose that makes use of a model's long straight hair, but your locks are cropped short, rethink placing this clip in your pose-guide. Select poses to play up your personal strengths. Are you athletic? Smoldering? Double-jointed? Use it-just know that the one adjective you never want attached to your posing is "stiff".
Once you've compiled some good examples, study your personal pose-guide, memorize the lines in each example, then re-create them in front of a full-length mirror. Start building a repertoire of moves for the camera. Keep in mind that you will not be standing stock-still at a real photo shoot. Once you've mastered each individual pose, move from one to the next as gracefully as possible, pausing for a moment in each, imagining you hear the click of the shutter. Don't worry if you don't have an extensive range of poses at first: this will be an area you may constantly expand and experiment with, once you've discovered a flow.
You'll find your new posing routine gives you an edge over inexperienced competition, time after time. Even if you have never stood before a real camera before, photographers and casting personnel will know instantly that you've come prepared, increasing your chances of being seen as a professional who will get the job done!
*Money-saving tip: Don't want to invest in stack after stack of glossy magazines, only to cut them up and toss them out? Head to your local library and copy only those images you want to emulate-you'll collect the reference you need for a fraction of the cost!
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