Jeff Smith. Posing Techniques for Location Portrait Photography. 2008

The hair can’t strike a pose, but you as a professional are responsible for
ensuring that your subject’s hair isn’t in their eyes or creating a shadow over
any part of the face. Longer hair also must be positioned so that it does not
overpower the face on the side that is closest to the camera. Generally, this
means pulling the fuller side of the hair forward over the shoulder that is far-
thest from the camera.
You should also check for stray hairs or strands of hair that separate from
the body of the hair; these can be very distracting. Many times, men and
woman with short hair have curls that peek out from behind the side of their
neck or their collar. This is another case where you need to make sure the hair
doesn’t draw attention to itself.

42 JEFF SMITH’S POSING TECHNIQUES FOR LOCATION PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY

LEFT—The full part of the hair can be pulled

over the shoulder farthest from the camera.

This shows its length and texture without

distracting from the face.FACING PAGE—Tilting

the head toward the side of the head where

the hair is fullest (the side opposite the

part), gives long hair a place to fall into be-

tween the head and the shoulder.

Longer hair also must be

positioned so that it does not

overpower the face