ing smiles are definitely not appropriate. But at the same time, serious ex-
pressions need to be relaxed. Most people taking traditional portraits aren’t
comfortable doing so, and therefore have a tendency to scowl. This needs to
be avoided.
Casual Posing.Casual posing is a style of posing in which the body is ba-
sically positioned as it would be when we are relaxing. Observe people as they
are watching television, talking on the phone, or enjoying a picnic, and you
will see the most natural and best casual poses for your clients. Casual poses
are most often used when the portrait is to be given to friends and family.
Casual poses are resting poses. The arms rest on the legs, the chin rests on
the hands. The back is posed at more of an angle. It is common to use the
ground to pose on, laying on the side or even on the stomach. The purpose
is to capture people as they really are.
Journalistic Posing.Journalistic posing really isn’t posing at all. It is
recording people as they interact with their envi-
ronment. It is capturing the child, bride, or family
as they are engaged in an activity so they basically
forget you are are recording their image. This is a
very specific type of portrait and not one that the
majority of people will respond to when it comes
time to purchase, unless they have requested it and
have a complete understanding of what the out-
come of the session will look like.
Glamorous Posing.Glamorous posing is sen-
sual or sexy; it makes the subject look as appealing
and attractive as possible. I am not talking about
boudoir or the type of glamour that achieves its
look by having the client in little or no clothing.
You can pose a fully clothed human being in cer-
tain ways and make them look extremely glam-
orous and appealing. If you finish the pose with the
right expression, often with the lips slightly parted,
you will have made the client’s romantic interest
very happy.
An excellent source of glamorous posing is
found in lingerie catalogs, such as those published
by Victoria’s Secret or Frederick’s of Hollywood.
The photographers who create these images are
masters of making the human form look its best.
Your client will just have more clothing on.
Many of my traditional poses are much more
glamorous in their look than what the average pho-
24 JEFF SMITH’S POSING TECHNIQUES FOR LOCATION PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY
FACING PAGE—Casual poses are relaxed and
natural. These are the kinds of poses best
used in portraits created for the subject’s
friends and family.Glamorous posing is designed to make the subject look as appealing as pos-
sible. It is more dramatic and stylized than traditional or casual posing.