Posing for Portrait Photography

and hide their flaws before the session day. If they don’t wear the

clothing that you have suggested, then they must be billed for the

time it takes to fix the problems that their decision created. This

information has to be given to them in writing (in a session

brochure) or in the form of a video consultation. We use both, since

we want even the most clueless clients to be aware of how they

should dress and prepare for the session—and how much it could

cost if they don’t!

Explaining Problems with Tact.If a client decides not to heed

your warnings, potential problems need to be addressed at the start

of the session. If you see that your client is a larger woman and you

also see sleeveless tops, you need to explain, “One area that women

tend to worry about is their arms—either the size of the arms or hair

on the forearm showing in the portrait. This is why we suggest wear-

ing long sleeves. Now, you can try one sleeveless top, but most

woman stick to long sleeves just to be safe.” This is a nice way of

telling your client, without embarrassing her, that her arms are too

large for that kind of top. In referring to other clients and not specif-

ically to her, you save her feelings and the final sale.

POSING THE SHOULDERS, ARMS, AND HANDS 59

When the arms will be resting on something,
try to put the weight on the elbow or rest the
arms very lightly on each other to avoid hav-
ing the biceps or forearms mushroom out
and look larger than they are.

Potential problems need

to be addressed at the start

of the session.