posed, it will lack visual appeal or even send the wrong message about the
subject. This is one reason it’s so important to work with your subject and
learn what they want to communicate in glamour photographs of them-
selves. Glamour photography is ultimately about the subject—not the pho-
tographer, not the model’s friends, not her family—and the portrayal of
that subject relies heavily on her actual pose.
Another way that psychology comes into play when posing a model is
in communication. If you don’t know how to communicate effectively
with your subject, how to direct her into each pose, you can end up cre-
ating such a confusing photographic shoot that your model is left flab-
bergasted. The face is the most im-
portant part of any pose, and confused
or dazed expressions are not going to
sell photographs—or enhance your
reputation as a photographer. While
novices will definitely need your guid-
ance, even experienced models often
rely on your communication abilities
to provide direction so they can turn
what you “see” into what they feel is
the proper result.
Ultimately, posing is the road map
of the image. When a pose is success-
ful, it should not require a GPS device
for the viewer to navigate through the
image, to understand the photo-
graph’s intention, or to perceive the
model’s message.
Playboy Playmate Holley Dorrough is posi-
tioned toward the back of the frame to allow
room for a mirror reflection of her face and
the faint appearance of her legs. (Camera:
Canon 5D;Lens:Canon 85mm f/1.2L, USM
lens, effective focal length 85mm;ISO:100;
Shutter speed:^1 / 160 second;Aperture:f/4;
Lighting:Hensel Porty Premium power pack
with a Hensel ring flash and the Hensel Oc-
taSunhaze attachment with a Rosco Bastard
Amber #02 gel;White balance:6000K)INTRODUCTION