Posing for Portrait Photography

Posing the Arms. To learn how to pose the arms, watch people
as they are relaxing. They fold their arms, they lean back and relax
on one elbow, they lay on their stomachs and relax on both elbows,
or they will use their arms to rest their chin and head.
Any time weight is put onto the arms (by resting them on the
back of a chair, the knee, etc.) it should be placed on the bone of the
elbow. If weight is put on the forearm or biceps area, it will cause
the area to mushroom and make it appear much larger in size than
it actually is. This is another reason to have the arms covered if it at
all possible.

60 POSING FOR PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY

A pose is selected for many reasons. In this

photograph, showing the cutouts of the

blouse give the portrait more impact.

Elevating the arm created an interesting line

in the image, and giving it a place to rest

makes the pose look natural.

If weight is put on the forearm

or biceps area, it will cause

the area to mushroom.