Ihave put the bustline and waistline together because they

have much in common. First of all, one is on top of the
other, so you need to consider both when selecting the lighting,
clothing, and posing since these choices will effect both areas. The
second thing they share is the fact the photographers are normally
either hiding them from the view of the camera or trying to enhance
them.

Enhance or Conceal?.

In 95 percent of all portraits, the bustline (or the chest, for male
clients) and uncovered waistline are not visible and really don’t need
to be considered.
However, if you have a busty woman in a blouse that shows way
too much cleavage for a business portrait, you will have to hide the
bustline. If that same woman is taking a portrait for her husband,
however, you will want to make the bustline appear as full and
appealing as possible.
Similarly, imagine you are in a session with a man who works out
and has a washboard stomach. If he wants to show off his muscles
in a portrait for his wife, you could have him put on a jacket with no
shirt underneath and leave it open. You would also want to use both
lighting and posing to bring out the texture of the muscles in his
stomach area.
Let’s imagine, however, that a second man comes in who is—
well, we won’t say he’s overweight, but he’s eight to twelve inches
too short for his current weight. If you show his stomach, you’ll

68 POSING FOR PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY

THE WAISTLINE. 5. THE BUSTLINE AND

AND THE WAISTLINE

Imagine you are in a session

with a man who works out and

has a washboard stomach...