Posing For Photography
The Beginner’s Guide to Better Posing in Photography
Good posing can completely change a photograph.
You can have perfect lighting, a beautiful location, and an expensive camera, but if your subject feels uncomfortable or looks stiff, the image often falls flat. That’s why learning how to guide people naturally in front of the camera is one of the most valuable skills a photographer can develop.
After watching a training video from instructor and posing coach Amanda Lusant, one idea stood out immediately:
Great posing starts from the inside out.
That means posing is not just about hands, shoulders, or where someone stands. It’s about emotion, confidence, posture, and helping people feel comfortable enough to look natural on camera. Amanda Lusant’s posing lessons focus heavily on body language, expression, posture, and creating emotion in portraits.
For photographers just beginning portrait work — or intermediate photographers seeking more confidence in directing people — here are some of the most important lessons to learn. I have provided a list below of links to some of the best photographers to help you improve your posing.
1.Stop Thinking About “Poses” and Start Thinking About Direction
Many photographers make the mistake of trying to memorize dozens of complicated poses.
Instead, think in terms of small adjustments:
Shift weight to one foot
Relax the shoulders
Turn the body slightly away from the camera
Bring the chin forward slightly
Create movement instead of stiffness
Small changes create a much more natural look than rigid posing.
Subjects usually feel awkward when they are told to “pose.” But they relax when you guide them gradually through movement and conversation.
A great portrait session feels more like coaching than commanding.
2. Posture Changes Everything
One of the strongest points Amanda Lusant emphasizes is posture.
Good posture instantly creates:
confidence
elegance
stronger body lines
better jaw definition
more flattering portraits
Simple posture tips:
Lengthen the spine
Roll your shoulders gently back
Keep the neck extended naturally
Avoid slouching into the camera
Even subtle posture corrections can dramatically improve a portrait.
3. The Camera Exaggerates What Is Closest
A classic portrait rule:
Whatever is closest to the camera appears larger.
This matters constantly in posing.
For example:
elbows pushed toward camera look oversized
knees aimed directly at camera can appear distorted
hands too close to lens become distracting
Instead:
angle the body slightly
avoid limbs pointing straight at the lens
use gentle curves and diagonal lines
This creates a more flattering and dimensional portrait.
4. Hands Matter More Than Most Photographers Realize
Awkward hands instantly make portraits feel unnatural.
New photographers often focus entirely on facial expression and forget the hands.
A good rule:
Give the hands something to do.
Ideas include:
lightly touching hair
holding a jacket
placing a thumb in a pocket
gently touching the face
interacting with clothing or props
Relaxed hands create relaxed portraits.
Amanda Lusant’s training also emphasizes posing essential body parts individually rather than trying to fix everything at once.
5. Movement Creates Natural Emotion
The best portraits usually are not frozen.
Instead of asking subjects to stand completely still:
ask them to walk slowly
turn gradually
laugh
look away and back
adjust their clothing
move their hair
interact naturally
Movement creates authenticity.
This is especially helpful with:
couples
families
lifestyle photography
outdoor portraits
6. Expression Is More Important Than Technical Perfection
A technically perfect portrait with no emotion often feels empty.
A portrait with real expression feels memorable.
Amanda Lusant’s teaching strongly focuses on extracting emotion from subjects rather than simply arranging body positions.
To create better expressions:
keep talking during the shoot
encourage movement
avoid silence
give prompts instead of commands
make subjects feel successful
Instead of: “Smile.”
Try:
“Think about the best part of your week.”
“Look back toward me slowly.”
“Laugh like you just heard something ridiculous.”
Emotion photographs better than perfection.
7. Beginner Photographers Should Learn a Few “Base Poses.”
You do not need 200 poses memorized.
Start with 5–10 reliable setups:
standing pose
seated pose
leaning pose
walking pose
over-the-shoulder pose
hands-in-pocket pose
couple connection pose
Then make small variations from each one.
Professional photographers rarely invent completely new poses every session. They build on strong foundations.
Helpful Videos and Resources for Learning Posing
These are excellent educational resources for photographers wanting to improve posing and portrait direction.
Amanda Lusant – Ultimate Portrait Posing Guide
A strong introduction to body language, posture, expression, and emotional portrait direction for photographers and subjects alike.
KelbyOne Photography Courses
Large library of portrait, lighting, and posing education from professional photographers.
Peter Hurley YouTube Channel
Excellent for learning facial expression, headshots, and natural posing techniques.
Lindsay Adler YouTube Channel
Fantastic education on fashion posing, body positioning, and visual flow.
Mango Street YouTube Channel
Simple, practical portrait photography advice for beginners and intermediates.
Jessica Kobeissi YouTube Channel
Helpful for learning real-world portrait sessions, model direction, and creative posing ideas.
Final Thoughts
Posing is not about forcing people into unnatural positions.
It is about helping people feel confident, relaxed, and connected to the camera.
The more comfortable your subject feels, the stronger your portraits become.
For beginning and intermediate photographers, mastering posing is one of the fastest ways to improve portrait quality without buying new gear.
And the good news is this:
You do not need perfect models to create strong portraits.
You simply need better communication, better observation, and the ability to guide people naturally.
And remember … “A Pose Without Expression Is Just A Pose.” Amanda Lusant