When starting out, posing subjects naturally can be tougher than mastering camera settings or lighting techniques. Getting someone comfortable in front of the lens is a crucial skill that directly impacts your images.
Coming to you from Glyn Dewis, this practical video tackles common posing challenges head-on. Dewis starts by sharing a useful trick: pretend you're adjusting camera settings when you're actually waiting for your subject to relax naturally. This tip is especially valuable if you've ever felt stuck with a tense, overly posed subject. However, he cautions that this approach can only be used sparingly during a session. Another key insight Dewis offers involves studying established portrait photographers like Annie Leibovitz and Mark Seliger. Instead of relying solely on spontaneous creativity, he suggests building a mental library of poses from their work.
Beyond theory, Dewis emphasizes actionable techniques like incorporating simple props, specifically chairs, to help subjects settle into natural positions. He details how chairs serve both a practical and psychological purpose, helping the subject feel anchored and less exposed. Additionally, Dewis demonstrates the effectiveness of visual references—such as movie posters or iconic photographs—to quickly convey a desired mood or pose. Rather than verbally instructing subjects, showing them concrete visual examples reduces confusion and boosts their confidence in replicating poses. Dewis specifically references images from Leibovitz and Seliger, showing how effectively these visuals lead subjects into relaxed and authentic positions.
Further expanding on these techniques, Dewis advises a slower approach. Instead of constantly taking pictures and adjusting poses, stepping back and initiating casual conversations allows natural expressions and body language to emerge. These genuine moments often yield the strongest images. Dewis points out the strategic advantage of keeping your camera ready on a tripod. This way, when you see a spontaneous gesture or pose you like, it's easy to quickly capture it without interrupting the natural flow.
Dewis also touches briefly on how props or everyday actions—like allowing someone to smoke or take a short break—can further break down barriers. By granting these personal moments, subjects often reveal their true selves, giving you richer material for authentic portraits. Dewis underscores the importance of observation over constant direction, highlighting how being an attentive observer rather than a rigid director significantly elevates the quality of your portraits. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Dewis.
If you would like to continue learning about the art of portraiture, be sure to check out our range of tutorials on the subject in the Fstoppers store.
As a photographer who started in portraits, weddings and corporate images, I learned much of my posing techniques while studying classical portrait artists. Lighting was also part of that study. Its angle, hard and soft lighting, but the posing is what really enlightened me to how the artists rendered what we all do naturally, but never really take notice of.
I also learned advanced posing techniques from a number of master photographers that I did workshops with over my early photographic years through the PPA.
Don't forget...Study your subjects features...face, body, complexion. There's nothing worse than a poorly posed subject, poorly lite as well.