Pose Ideas For Your Next Fashion Model Shoot
One of the most important aspects of any model shoot is how your model poses, acts, and conveys your brand. Facial expressions, stances, actions, and even the eyes communicate to your customers.
It all starts with the information you provide in advance of the shoot. Here you should explain what you are hoping to achieve, which can include detailed instructions for the model if you wish. This can be left to your photographer, and we're happy to recreate your vision. However, here’s some ideas for your shoot that you may want to include in your brief, along with some key considerations.
Choosing Your Models
There is a surprising amount to consider when selecting models for your clothing photoshoot. Your choice of model should tie directly with your aspirations for the project, your brand, and your customers. You should also consider your current imagery and aim to complement this.
Pay attention to how you represent a range of people in your marketing. Diversity should be considered in all its aspects, and conscious decisions made on how your brand looks to positively represent various demographics.
Be Aware Of Your Model’s Experience Level
Experienced models will be quicker to understand a brief, find the best poses, and work with the photographer more effectively. Less experienced models will need frequent direction, which can hinder the photographer from focussing on the composition of the image and slow down the shoot. There is likely to be budget considerations, however, balance this with the value provided by an experienced model.
Set A Clear Direction Before The Shoot
Making decisions ahead of time will help your model and photographer have a greater understanding of what is required for the shoot. You may choose to ask your photographer to choose poses for your model on the day - if this is the case, ensure you have provided your photographer with an overall vision that they can replicate. This can come in the form of a written brief, but often reference images are helpful.
Consider Hair & Makeup
You’ll need to be sure that your model’s hair and makeup complements the style you are hoping to achieve. Often a professional hair and makeup artist is the best option if you have the budget to add this on to your shoot. Your hair and makeup artist may need up to an hour to prepare the models for the camera. Their expertise ensures that under studio lighting your models will look perfect, meeting your brief and reflecting your brand's style.
Expect Multiple Poses
Your photographer will naturally mix up several poses over the course of the shoot. This is especially important if your clothing has a specific use such as athletic apparel. Allow creativity to spark during the shoot by experimenting with innovative ideas or making adjustments as you go. Be aware of limiting this creativity accidently in your brief, unless you are looking for strict consistency.
Natural Poses
For a natural look, avoid any forced or overly contrived poses that can be off-putting and distract from the purpose of the image. Use natural poses that the model is comfortable with and don’t force anything that could be jarring.
Fashion photography is all about capturing the perfect shot of a model that shows off your clothing brand. It’s important to consider the poses that will best suit the style you’re aiming for, here’s a few more ideas:
The Walk
Your model takes a step as if they were walking – they just hold the pose instead of walking off set! To get a natural feel, it’s often best that the model rocks onto the lead foot and then holds the pose long enough for the photographer to capture the shot. This technique works for all types of clothing, and breaks up rigid poses.
The Lean
On a wall, a prop or anything, this one is great for a more casual look, and allows your model a natural way to stand. It's a pose that sets a casual tone and will feel natural which can be great for inexperienced models. There's lighting options here for your photographer to either create more shadows or soften them - let them know which you prefer.
Hands In Pockets
Although this leads to a more casual look and isn’t suitable for all garments, hands in pockets is a useful pose. It works well with jeans, hoodies and casual clothing, or is perfect for demonstrating pockets as a feature of the garment.
The Over-the-Shoulder Glance
With the model’s back to the camera, they look over their shoulder. This is perfect for showing the back of a garment whilst keeping personality in the shot. Your photographer may adjust the angle to see what works best for your garments.
The Casual Sitting Pose
Sitting on the edge of a chair or bench gives your images a relaxed feel and works well for informal garments and backdrops.
If you want to include this type of shot, remember to consider the style of the chair to make sure the aesthetic works with the garments. For a more obvious studio feel that's effective for high street fashion brands, use cleanly painted boxes that match your background. We have a vast prop library and would suggest the best options for your brand.
Hands Near Neck, Face Or Hair
Your model can demonstrate a range of emotions using this pose, and it works especially well for female models. It's easy to quickly change in the moment to see what works for your shoot.
Create Movement
Your model can add movement to the poses that lead to dynamic and engaging images. Stick to simple movements, and show how a garment falls during gentle walking, turning, and arm sways. Above all styles, this is most applicable to active wear with poses replicating running, stretching, and yoga. Be clear what your product is designed for in your brief to provide your photographer with some direction.
Options With Two Models
With more than one model, your shoot can include poses that have models interacting with each other. Arms around shoulders, casually leaning on each other, and one facing forward and the other backwards are all effective options. Having them stand at different angles to the camera can help to show more features of a garment in one image. A male and female model are great for showing unisex clothing.
Model The Details
Have your photographer and model work collaboratively to demonstrate the features of your garments to help point out unique selling points. This could be zips, buttons, pockets, hoods or any other part of the garment. Include the features you're keen to demonstrate in your brief, to provide your photographer with direction on what to include.
Working On Set With Your Photographer
It's important that, if you're on set, you work with your photographer to help your model perform at their best. Your photographer will have experience in this, however, if you're on set and directing models during a photoshoot, be aware that it can be a challenging task. With the right approach however, you can make the process smoother and more effective. Here's our advice on getting the most out of your model on the day.
Arrive Early
Arrive on set early. This is to ensure that your photographer has all the information they need to maximise the time on set. However, it is worth noting that hair and makeup can take up to an hour before a shot can be taken, so work this into your planning for the day.
Keep Cool
Your contribution on the day can affect how a shoot can go, particularly if models are involved and you want to get the best out of them. This can get difficult if there's time pressure involved in your shoot, however, working collaboratively with photographers and models is always more efficient. Our photographers have experience of working to time pressure, if you'd prefer, you can leave all the directing to us!
Consider Demonstrating Poses
Try to communicate with your model by showing them how you would like them to pose. It can be frustrating when someone doesn’t follow explanations, so demonstrate the more complex poses. Then when you are using verbal cues to direct your model, be as specific as possible. Clarity in your direction will only benefit your shoot. Again, your photographer can take the lead on this if you prefer a hands-off approach.
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