What Are Some Good Picture Poses?

Single Person

• When photographing one single person, all the emphasis is on them. Positioning them in the best possible pose will be critical to a successful shoot and happy client. Use angles to create interesting lines. Have the subject stand at a near 45-degree angle to the front of the camera, and have their head turned directly towards the camera. This creates a very slight profile that is flattering as well as interesting to the viewer's eye.

Two People

• A pose for two people is different than a pose for a couple. Two people could be professionals who need a picture for a promotional brochure. When shooting two people one of the most important aspects to remember is to create enough depth of field to keep both parties in focus. Begin the one person on the left side of the picture and have them turn slightly at an angle towards the camera. They should be standing so they face the other person. Have the second person stand opposite to the first person and slightly farther away from the camera. The second person should almost be square to the camera, with only a slight turn in their shoulders. When done, you will have created a pose where the line of the person on the left draws the viewer's eye to the person at the back of the picture. The second person, having less of an angle will have a strong presence in the picture and effectively stops the viewer's eye from looking elsewhere.

Couple

• A couple, whether they are just engaged or have been married for years, should be shot using poses where they can be very close to one another. Begin with placing the taller person behind the other. Have the taller person wrap their arms around the shorter person's shoulders, have the shorter person hold onto the arms with one hand. This picture can be shot tight, so it only shows the arms wrapped around the shoulders and their heads, or it can be shot as a vertical picture showing the full length of the couple's bodies.

Group

• When shooting a group of people, you have to be aware of the number of people and the type of picture that will be used. For example, an 8-by-10 inch print is more square than a 5-by-7 inch picture. Try to use steps in a house or the front of building as a way to create some elevation so back rows of people can be seen. If the group is a number of children from a class or sports team, have them pose on playground equipment at a school or park. These climbers give you options for placing children in different places.