C

ertain clients or situations call for a pose that is still relaxed but not on

the ground. The decision to get the client up off the ground may be

one based on making use of a particular background, foreground, or

even the lighting. It may also be because your client prefers not to be on the

ground, because the ground is too wet for the client to pose comfortably, or

because you need a somewhat less casual look.

Sitting poses appear relaxed, but not as casual as poses on the ground. In

group portraits, they also lack the close feeling of poses on the ground.

(Seated poses may, however, be used in combination with ground poses in

group portraits. This can help bridge the gap between standing members and

those on the ground.)

Finding a Seat.

There are two parts to posing people sitting outdoors: first, you must know

how to pose them; second, you must have something to pose them on. Find-

ing something to pose client on can be difficult in certain locations. Some lo-

cations have very little that is at the appropriate height; other locations have

SEATED POSING 77

5. Seated Posing.

RIGHT AND FACING PAGE—Here, a large tree root
provides a seat for the subject and allows for
a variety of poses.

Sitting poses appear relaxed,

but not as casual

as poses on the ground.