Posing Techniques for Glamour Photography

The Torso.

Once you have the feet, legs, thighs, and waist in a flattering position, you

can carefully study the torso before moving on to the neck, face, and hair.

With the torso you’ll target the stomach, bust, shoulders, arms, hands,

and even the base of the neck. Get into the habit of evaluating these body

parts one at a time, while watching how the movement of one can

affect another part of the torso.

For starters, I normally turn the shoulder just a tad in the op-

posite direction from the direction I have turned the waist. For ex-

ample, if the waist was turned to the camera left, then the torso

would turn slightly to camera right (while ensuring, of course, that

the bust line was kept at least somewhat in profile to show the flat-

tering C-curves formed by the breasts).

The posing of these two sections, the waist down and the torso, is crit-

ical—especially when the model is scantily clad and her midriff is exposed.

Abdominal Areas.

I always observe the abdominal area as the body twists and turns, paying

particular attention to the stomach to ensure it’s not recorded in an un-

flattering manner.

Creases.I first look for abdominal lines or creases. If these lines begin

to show, I’ll carefully ask the model to turn back in a direction that begins

to bring the hips and torso back in line, but only to the point where the

creases and lines disappear.

A Belly or a Six-Pack.One thing to consider when observing the ab-

dominal area is whether or not the model has either a protruding stom-

ach or a six-pack. Both can photograph poorly without the right camera

angle and lighting. If you determine the model has a slightly protruding

stomach, then turn the stomach away from the camera as little as possible;

turning a not-so-flat stomach to the side will only showcase its roundness.

4. The Torso, Arms, and Hands.

Get into the habit

of evaluating these body

partsone at a time...

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