When it comes to portrait posing, there are some great poses, some not great poses, and then, there are those poses that are so egregious that they should be avoided at all costs.
In this tongue-in-cheek video, I discuss what I consider the five worst posing techniques that headshot and portrait photographers have used in the past and often still use today. My list includes every pose you'd expect to find when taking glamour shots at the mall, circa 1993, and although I only listed five examples in the video, there are definitely a lot more out there. My list includes "The Hard Lean," where the subject is tilted precariously towards the camera; "The Angry Shoulder," where the subject's front shoulder is aimed directly at the camera, resulting in a confrontational look and a completely twisted head; and more.
I would love to know what your least favorite portrait poses are in the comments below. Perhaps it's the "One Leg On A Ladder," or the always popular "Fist Under The Chin?" Keep in mind that this is all in good fun. I have used some of these poses in the past, which I also allude to in the video. I hope you enjoy the video.
Excuse you, the Fist Under Chin look is iconic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaIJJXRBQ60
😆 it's the CLASSIC pose LOL. "Surrounded by tiny seahorses" I'm gonna use that at my next session haha
Dangerous topic... discredit certain poses as generally bad is in my opinion simply wrong. Even though those poses sometimes need active help from the photographer there are faces, situations and sentiments that need or embrace those poses that Pete Coco is demonizing.
For the first 4 no-go-poses there are counter-examples where it looks good or even perfect. Again... the more decisive aspect, in my opinion, is the subject, the purpose of the portrait, the situation and the emotional side.
I most agree with the fifth topic Pete mentions even though it's more Photoshop than posing. And I agree that if crossed arm are 'applied', it should look natural and has to fit to the subjects every-day-behaviour.
Bad headshots are common. And I'm thankful for that. That makes good work look better. But I disagree with most of what Pete says.
Thanks for the input Hans. I appreciate your thoughtful reply. I don't think it's a dangerous topic and you are welcome to disagree with me of course! The point of the vid was more to get us thinking about the common poses we use in a funny (perhaps a bit irreverent) way. More food for thought with a little New Yorker sarcasm lol.