Strike a POSE, there’s nothing to it…
If you’re feeling a little worried that you might feel awkward in front of the camera, it’s completely normal – many of my clients feel the same way at first. In fact, for the first 5–10 minutes, I 100% expect you to feel a little self-conscious.
But as we get into the swing of things, you’ll be concentrating on me and on what I’m asking you to do, and the rest of the world will fade away. Often by the end of the shoot, my clients are laughing, twirling their skirts, and completely forgetting there’s even a camera there.
So, I don’t expect you to arrive striking poses like Madonna in Vogue. It’s my job to guide you into empowering, flattering poses and gorgeous expressions that reveal the truest, best version of yourself.
Here are a few ways we make that happen (illustrated with photos of my clients who had no experience at all in front of the camera. I’ve chosen these images specifically to show that you don’t need any experience to look amazing in photos.)
DANCE LIKE NOBODY’S WATCHING…
You’ll possibly notice there’s a lot of movement in my photos. Most of the dresses and skirts available to VIP clients are long and flowy, and are such a useful tool for posing because they give you something to do. I might ask you to delicately hold the fabric as you walk and twirl around. This naturally creates long, elegant, relaxed arms and beautiful lines through the body. I love when my clients look like they are having fun – living their best lives in Paris – and a little dancing is a sure-fire way to loosen up and lose yourself in the moment.
Hold the skirts and hug your elbows softly into your waist, sway your shoulders gently backwards and forwards, and turn your head so that your chin aligns with the shoulder closest to me.”
SHAPING THE BODY
Small adjustments make a huge difference in how the body looks on camera.
Take a look at celebrities on the red carpet — they are experts at posing to show off their figure as well as the clothes and jewellery they’re wearing. They are often sponsored to wear these outfits, so every pose is intentional, designed to highlight the cut, the fabric, and the overall design.
Lily Collins on the red carpet is sensational. She creates shape in her body by stepping one foot back and placing her weight on that leg, leaving the front leg free to move — crossing it over, bending the knee, or touching the tip of the foot lightly forward. She often leans back slightly to elongate her legs, while leaving space around her waist by bending her arms and placing her hands at different points on her body. Check out slide 5 on this Instagram post to see Lily in action.
Zendaya is another pose queen worth studying, and this Instagram post breaks it down by Christine Buzan
WHAT DO I DO WITH MY HANDS?
Probably the number one question people ask me is what to do with their hands! The way the celebs show off their jewellery on the red carpet is an example I use all the time. They basically bend their elbows and touch their fingertips together – relaxed wrists can make a big difference. This not only shows off the rings on their fingers, but also allows the shape of the waist to show, which is a great way to show off curves.
If you get the pose right, your hands don’t really need to do anything; they can touch your thighs, or even just dangle at either side of your body. Otherwise, have something to hold! Flowers or a cute bag, depending on your outfit.
Follow this link for some great hand posing in this post from Fashion Critical on Instagram, and this one with videos to see how even subtle changes create impact.
TRIANGLES
A little secret from the world of portrait and fashion photography: triangles are your friend. When we bend an arm, shift a hip, or step one foot back, we naturally create triangular shapes with the body. These shapes add elegance, define the waist, and make the pose feel relaxed and natural.
EXPRESSION
Possibly the most important factor in a successful portrait is your expression. Micro-expressions can make or break a photo. I want you to look engaged and happy to be there — and I’m not talking about a cheesy, pageant-style smile.
By varying your expression throughout the shoot, you begin to see how you truly look in everyday life. It’s actually a great exercise if you believe you’re not photogenic.
Most of us judge how photogenic we are based on the photos our partners or friends take on their phones. I know I certainly do. I have very few photos of myself that I like on my iPhone, but I almost always love the ones taken by professional photographers.
During the shoot, I’ll guide you through subtle changes in expression so we capture a range of looks — from relaxed and natural to confident and powerful.
Rose Byrne is a great example. Her micro-expressions are wonderful: relaxed features, but fully engaged. She communicates a feeling to the viewer through her eyes and the subtle way she holds her mouth. And probably changes this after every other frame.
Study their movements. Practice in the mirror. The more you practice, the more comfortable you’ll feel when we meet in Paris.
And please don’t be shy about discussing this with me — I want to capture you looking confident and powerful. My goal is to create the best photos you’ve ever seen of yourself, and the magic really happens when we work together as a team.
