Posing for Portrait Photography

Posing the Toes.A client’s tension becomes visible in their

toes. If a person is nervous, their toes will either stick up or curl

under. Neither one is exactly attractive. Just like the fingers, toes

photograph better when they are resting on a surface.

Shoe Selection.The subject’s footwear should reflect the feel-

ing of his or her outfit. If the client is in an elegant dress, then high

heels should be worn. Choose higher heels, in the 3- to 3^1 / 2 -inch

range, to add an elegant look to the portrait, make the legs look

great, and make the feet appear smaller.

If the client is in a business suit, shoes should be worn that

reflect the professional look of the clothing. My wife once told me

that you can tell how successful a person is by looking not at their

suit, but their shoes. While most people (men especially) will buy

THE FEET AND LEGS 91

The higher the heels, the smaller the subject’s
feet will look.

The subject’s footwear

should reflect the feeling

of his or her outfit.