Free Posing Guide

POSE
- THE FREE

VERSION -
TAKE YOUR PHOTOS AND YOUR CONFIDENCE

TO THE NEXT LEVEL.
BY JESS LAYNN
CONTENTS
( CLICK ON THE TITLE TO JUMP TO IT)
HOW TO POSE POSES
Camera Basics Editorial

The Secret Sauce Stool
Posing Individuals Business
Posing Couples
My Go-To Prompts Bridal
Editorial Shoots Men
Communication Couples
Overview Wedding
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welcome
Welcome to the Free Posing Guide, the

resource that will take your photography to
the next level. Whether you're an aspiring
photographer, or simply someone who wants
to look their best in photos, this guide is
here to help you shine.

POSING GUIDE - BY JESS LAYNN

THE BASICS

HOW TO TAKE
GOOD PHOTOS
Before we get in to how to
POSE for photos we need to
talk about how to TAKE
photos.
Because no matter how

amazing the pose is... if the
angle, the lighting, the
framing, the camera settings,
or anything else is off, you still
won't get the results you're
looking for.
So let's start with some

basics.

LIGHTING
If you're shooting indoors, turn off ALL of
the overhead lights and lamps. Use only
window light if possible.

Stand with the light source directly to left

or right and your subject directly across
from you. Then have your subject turn
their body slightly toward the light.

(example shown on the next page)

LIGHTING SET UP
WINDOW
BASIC WINDOW LIGHTING

CAMERA ANGLES
For close up
portraits (half body
shots or closer) have
the camera at
shoulder height or
eye level.

For full body shots

have the camera at
waist height or even
lower looking up at
the subject.

Of course you can

play around with it,
but this is a good
starting point.


CAMERA ANGLES
HEADSHOTS
FULL BODY SHOTS

BACKDROP
Keep the background simple and uncluttered to
avoid distractions. A neutral backdrop draws
attention to the subject's face. My go-to
backdrop is always a plain white wall.

CAMERA SETTINGS
If you have a professional camera where
you can change the settings and lenses,
here are my starting camera settings:
Shutter Speed : 1/250

Aperture : F 2.2
ISO : 100-1000 (depending on light)

SUBJECT CENTERED
NEGATIVE SPACE OR ON ONE OF
THESE LINES
FEET CLOSE TO THE

BOTTOM
FRAMING
Keep your subject centered OR on one of the
vertical lines shown above. Feet at the bottom
of the frame with some negative space above
their head. Ideally, their head should be close
to the top horizontal line shown above.

THE SECRET SAUCE

LOOKING NATURAL
Now that we've covered camera setup,
there's one more crucial aspect to address
before diving into posing and that's "How to
look natural in photos"
There's a huge misconception that poses are

a static thing, that you can just place your
hand, arms, and legs in the perfect position
and the take the shot. And while you CAN do
this, it will often result in stiff and unnatural-
looking photos.

BODY LANGUAGE
Body language is like the secret
language that speaks volumes in every
frame. It's not just about striking a
pose; it's about capturing the essence
of our subjects and their emotions.
The trick is getting

your subjects feel
at ease, natural,
and completely
themselves.
Allowing their
true personalities
to shine through.

MY SECRET
There's a technique I use that instantly
takes a stiff pose and makes it look
effortless and natural.
I've kept this valuable tip to myself until

now, but I'm excited to share it with YOU
today. It's the key to capturing genuine and
authentic moments that will elevate your
photography to a whole new level.

3 EASY STEPS
Step 1 : Place the subject in the pose,

show them exactly what to do with
their hands, legs, and face.
Step 2 : Have them practice going into

the pose a couple of times on their
own.
Step 3 : Instruct them to sway, rock, or

step in to the pose as casually as they
can. And you're going to capture the
photo at the exact moment they reach
the pose.
This creates a natural, almost candid

look EVERY TIME.

NATURAL EXPRESSION
To achieve a natural expression have your
client look down and think of a happy memory
and then on the count of three have them look
up at the camera. If you snap the photo at that
exact moment they look up there is often a split
second of real emotion before it starts to fall
flat.

BUILDING RAPPORT
It's also essential to establish a
connection with your subject. Creating
a rapport that allows them to let their
guard down in order to be themselves.
Start with casual conversation and find

common interests. Ideally, set up a
phone call before the session if
possible.

PLAY MUSIC
I almost always have music playing at
photoshoots. (Especially when I'M the one
being photographed- it makes ALL the
difference!)
Ask if they have a playlist, artist, or genre

they'd like to listen to and then blast it! For
outdoor shoots consider bringing a portable
speaker.

TAKE CHARGE
Your clients will feed off your
confidence. So if you can take charge
and tell them exactly what to do they
will begin to trust you.
As you start to gain their trust they will

start to loosen up and really get in to it.
(Because they know you're going to

make the photos AMAZING.)

JUST REMEMBER

Authenticity over perfection. Be willing to

take a step back and let a moment happen.
Sometimes the most magical moments are
when our subjects let go of perfection and
simply are themselves.

HOW TO POSE

THE POSING TIPS
Now that you have a solid foundation

in basic lighting, camera setup, and
how to give a natural look to your
photos, it's time to delve into the
heart of our guide - the actual
POSING tips! We'll explore a diverse
range of posing techniques, carefully
categorized for different scenarios:
1. Posing Individuals
2. Posing Couples
3. Posing for Editorial
And in the final section, we'll discuss

a crucial aspect that ties everything
together - effectively communicating
with your subject.
Buckle up, because this is where the

magic happens!

INDIVIDUALS
POSTURE
Start by guiding your subject to stand

up straight with their shoulders relaxed
and pulled back. Good posture not only
conveys confidence but also elongates
the body, creating a more flattering
appearance. Here's what I say:
"Stand up straight, pulling up from the

base of your spine. Now, roll your
shoulders back and down. Imagine
drawing your shoulder blades together."

SHIFT YOUR WEIGHT
Have your subject shift their weight slightly to
one leg, and bump one hip to the side or back.
This creates a curved line to their silhouette,
enhancing that hourglass shape.

CREATE TRIANGLES
Look for ways to create triangular shapes
with their arms and legs to add visual
interest and flatter their figure. For
example, placing one hand on the hip and
one leg slightly bent creates a flattering and
confident look.

THE S-CURVE
For female subjects, suggest creating S-shaped
curves by shifting the hips and shoulders in
opposite directions. This pose adds grace and
femininity, accentuating the subject's natural
body contours. (as shown in the image above)

LEANING

Leaning against a wall or a prop can create a

relaxed and stylish pose. This technique also
adds depth to the image, drawing the viewer's
attention to your subject while creating a
flattering composition.


PLAYING WITH FABRIC
Flowing fabrics, such as dresses and
scarves, can add movement and a candid
feel to the pose. Encourage your subject
to interact with the fabric to create
elegant lines and shapes that enhance the
overall composition.

LEADING LINES
Utilize leading lines in your composition to
guide the viewer's gaze towards your subject's
best features. Whether it's a flowing dress or
the natural lines of a landscape, leading lines
can emphasize your subject's beauty.

EMPHASIZING
JAWLINES
To enhance the jawline, have your
subject push their chin forward like a
turtle then tilt their head slightly
downward. This simple adjustment
elongates the neck and defines the jaw,
creating a more elegant and flattering
look. (And eliminates any double chins)

HIGHLIGHTING EYES
For showcasing beautiful eyes, position
your subject with their face turned slightly
towards the light source. This technique
creates catchlights in their eyes, making
them sparkle and drawing attention to
this captivating feature.

SLIMMING EFFECT
Angle the body slightly sideways to the
camera to create a slimmer silhouette. This
minimizes the appearance of width and
highlights the curves of your subject's body.
Then have them lean their upper body
towards the camera.

FRAMING
Incorporate hands and hair
as natural frames to draw
attention to your subject's
face. Gently placing the
hands near the face or
allowing the hair to
fall gracefully can
add a soft and
flattering touch.

OFF THE BODY
Be mindful of where your subject places their
arms. Avoid pressing them flat against the body,
as this can create a "squashed" look. Instead,
have them rest their hands gently on their hips or
at their sides for a more natural and flattering
pose.

COUPLES
CONNECTION
Capturing the genuine bond and intimate
moments between couples is a true art form. In
this section, we'll explore techniques to bring out
the love and connection that lies at the heart of
every couple's relationship.

CONVERSATION
Encourage couples to interact naturally,
engaging in conversation. You can give a
pose or prompt but then step back and let
the couple fall into the moment a bit.

ASK QUESTIONS
Use guided questions to evoke authentic
reactions and emotions. Like "how did
you meet?" or "what's the coolest date
you've ever been on?"

USE PROMPTS
Incorporate playful interactions into your
poses. Laughter and playful touches can
add a sense of fun and spontaneity to the
photos, reflecting the couple's unique
dynamic. Often times I ask them to do
something silly just for the laughter it
evokes AFTER the prompt.
I'll share a few of my favorite prompts on

the next page.

PROMPTS FOR COUPLES:
Dance like No One's Watching

Eskimo Kiss (rub noses)

Forehead Kiss: Gently kiss each other's foreheads

Silly Face Swap: Swap facial expressions or mimic

each other's silly faces

Piggyback Ride: "Now bounce her off"

Tickle Fight: Start a tickle war for genuine laughter

Butterfly Kisses: Flutter your eyelashes on his neck

Snuggle up together and nuzzle into his neck

Thumb War: Challenge each other to a thumb war

Whisper a Compliment: Share a heartfelt compliment

to create genuine smiles.

Counting Kisses: Take turns counting how many kisses

you can give in 10 seconds.

Create a unique secret handshake together

The Tickle Test: Gently tickle their palm to see if they

can keep a straight face.

HANDS
Encourage partners to hold hands,
embrace each other's waist, or rest their
heads on each other's shoulders to
create an instant sense of intimacy and
connection.

Avoid gaps or space between them.
Encouraging partners to draw their bodies close
together helps convey their emotional
connection and strengthens the composition of
the photograph.

Suggesting subtle adjustments, like pressing

their bodies close or intertwining their fingers,
ensures that the couple appears seamlessly
connected.


CASUAL OUTIFTS
I always suggest my couples bring more
than one outfit to a shoot including at
least one casual outfit (specifically pants
for the girl) so you can do some more
active fun poses that don't work as well
with a dress.

GETINTIMATE
Towards the end of the session I really
encourage my couples to slow down. I
give less silly/laughing prompts and
more serious intimate prompts. I'll start
to give more space between my
directions so they can really sink into
the moment and focus on one another.
One of my favorite prompts for
transitioning to this slower pace portion
of the session is to have them stand
chest to chest and ask them to
synchronize their breathing.

EXAMPLES
of intimate close poses

Poses for Editorial Fashion Photography
EDITORIAL
POSING FOR FASHION AND
EDITORIAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Fashion and editorial photography requires a

blend of elegance, drama, and storytelling. In
this section, we'll explore posing techniques
that bring out the model's
personality and
enhance the visual
narrative.

LOW ANGLE
For editorial style shoots I love to get
some shots from a super low angle (think
camera on the ground)

DYNAMIC POSES
Experiment with powerful and dynamic
poses that emphasize strong lines and
create a sense of movement.

COMPOSITION
Use extreme composition: have your
subject all the towards one end of
the frame. "Editorial" actually means
it's designed for a magazine, and
therefore it means they need a part
of the photo to put text on!
(Just like this page)

FASHION FORWARD
Highlight the fashion elements by
accentuating clothing and accessories
through strategic posing.

TELL A STORY
Encourage models to embody the character
they are portraying, adding depth and emotion
to the image.

COMMUNICATION

BRING IT TO LIFE
Alright, in this last section, we're

going to talk about a crucial piece
that ties everything together - how
to effectively communicate the
pose you've got in mind to your
subjects.
This skill is the key to transforming

your creative vision into
breathtaking reality.

CLARITY IS KEY
Give one instruction at a time and
always use their right and left. For
example "First, stand with your legs
about a foot apart. Perfect! Now, shift
all your weight to your right leg, letting
that hip bump out to the side. YES!
Now, I want you to add a little bend in
your left leg." And so on.

BE SPECIFIC
Use precise language and detailed
instructions to convey the exact poses you
have in mind. Instead of vague directions,
provide clear cues for positioning and
movement.

DIRECTING

Give macro directions first like "shift your

weight to your back leg", "turn your body
slightly towards the light", "place one hand on
your hip" etc.

Then give them micro movements to add in

to the pose like "tilt your chin down just a bit",
"let your arms sway back and forth, "gently
tuck your hair behind your ear", "rock-step in
and out of the pose", etc.

This takes a stiff pose and adds in their own

natural body langue to it.


USE VISUAL REFERENCES
Demonstrating poses or showing sample
images can help your subjects better
understand what you're looking for. Visual
references offer a tangible and relatable
guide for achieving the desired look.

ENCOURAGE FEEDBACK
Create an open dialogue with your subjects,
encouraging them to share their thoughts and
ideas. Their input can lead to more
collaborative and authentic poses.

HYPE THEM UP
Offer genuine compliments and positive
feedback throughout the shoot. Literally THE
WHOLE time I'm just like "YES! Perfect! Oh
my gosh, you are ROCKING this!"

OVERVIEW
LET'S RECAP
Congratulations! You're now armed with
valuable insights into the art of posing and
how to create stunning and captivating
photographs that reflect the essence of your
subjects. Before we conclude, let's recap the
key points and provide you with additional
resources to further enhance your
photography skills.

CAMERA BASICS
Use natural window light with 3/4
positioning for the most flattering lighting.
Keep the camera angle lower than you
might think: shoulder height for close ups
waist height for full body shots. And
aperture of F 2.2 if you have a
professional camera.

AUTHENTIC
Have your subject move into the pose to
give natural look to the images. And have
them look down until the last moment so
their expression is genuine.

FLATTER FEATURES
Pay attention to body language, angles,
and lighting to showcase your subjects'
best qualities.

PLAYFUL PROMPTS
Embrace creativity and spontaneity in
your photoshoots, incorporating
playful prompts to elicit genuine
expressions and laughter.

THANK YOU
As we come to the end of this posing
guide, I want to express my deepest
gratitude for joining me on this journey
exploring the art of posing.

Throughout this guide, we've explored a

wide array of posing techniques, from
individuals and couples to lighting and
angles. I hope that these insights have
not only equipped you with valuable
knowledge but also sparked a newfound
passion for photography.

Remember, photography is a medium of

storytelling, and your unique perspective
and creativity will shine through your
work. Embrace the power of human
connection, the beauty of candid
emotions, and the art of flattering poses
to create photographs that leave a
lasting impact.

As you embark on your photography
journey, don't forget to practice,
experiment, and stay open to new ideas.

Every photoshoot offers an opportunity to

learn and grow as an artist, so approach
each session with an open mind and a
curious heart.

Lastly, I want to remind you that

photography is not merely about
technical skills or perfect poses; it's about
conveying emotions, telling stories, and
connecting with your subjects.

Wishing you an abundance of joy,

creativity, and unforgettable moments
captured through your lens.
jess laynn

POSE IDEAS

GET THE FULL GUIDE
In the next section I'm going to give you a
few of my poses to start with. But if you
want ALL of my poses in an easy to
reference downloadable (like this one) you
can purchase that by clicking here:
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EDITORIAL

One leg towards the camera and toe pointed. One hand one hip finger pointed
down and other hand up behind your head.

On your knees allow front arm to hang down and the back of your other hand
resting on your forehead. Lean your shoulders back behind you.

Place weight on your leg closer to the camera. Bend the knee of the other leg and
lean back like the matrix. Let your arms hang down behind you.

One leg out and bent. Loosely grab the writ of one hand with the other hand and
bring them up over your head.

STOOL

Stand a couple feet away from the stool and lean over placing one hand on top of
the stool. Cross your legs and drape the other hand on your hip.

Place one leg on the bar of the stool, other leg out toward the camera. Relax your
arms on your upper thighs.

Legs out and straight in front of you leaning back on the stool both arms behind
you.

One hand in between your legs one hand by your hair. two legs up on the bar of the
stool.

BUSINESS

One hand on hip under the jacket, hip popped out other hand hanging down.

Tow hand on hips fingers pointed towards belly button. Hip popped out to one side.

One hand up by your head, forearm resting on top of your head other hand down.

Two hands in pockets. One leg straight crossed over the other.

BRIDAL

Under the veil looking down with your hands together.

Point your flowers down toward the ground other hand resting the back of your
hand on your forehead. Lean back slightly.

Hold flowers in one hand and hold the dress in the other, flick the fabric of the
skirt around.

Turn your back to me and hold your hands together by your belly button. Turn back
over your shoulder to look at me.

MEN

Pretend to pull you pants up

Leaning on something, Both hands flat on the table looking off.

One leg forward and slightly bent. One hand on the table behind your or in back
pocket other hand reaching across to the opposite shoulder.

One arm crossed over your chest, other hand up at your chin.

COUPLES

Hold hands up between you and interlace fingers. Push and pull away from each
other kissing a different place every time you come in.

One arm under her hair while she reaches up to hold that hand. Other hand on her
waist. Slight dip and kiss her

Cuddle up behind him holding his one hand with both of your hands. Lean on his
shoulder.

Have him sit first and legs open have her sit next to him and place her legs crossed
in between his legs. He'll have on hand on her lower back and one hand on her legs

WEDDING

Havin him pick her up under her butt and have her kick one leg out

Hold her like a baby, she'll have one arm up over your shoulders and then you'll
scoop her up behind her knees.

Walk towards you holding hands stretch out wide then come back together

Face to face hug with your arms up over his shoulders holding your bouquet
behind his head.

Work it.
The concept of
beauty extends far
beyond the limitations
of societal standards.
All body types,
without exception,
possess their own
inherent beauty.
@JESSLAYNN

GET THE FULL
POSING GUIDE
OVER 750 POSES
$67 Limited Time Only

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POSE

TAKE YOUR PHOTOS AND YOUR CONFIDENCE

HOW TO POSE POSES

Camera Basics Editorial

Buy the FULL Posing Guide

Welcome to the Free Posing Guide, the

POSING GUIDE - BY JESS LAYNN

POSING GUIDE - BY JESS LAYNN

Because no matter how

So let's start with some

POSING GUIDE - BY JESS LAYNN

Stand with the light source directly to left

(example shown on the next page)

POSING GUIDE - BY JESS LAYNN

BASIC WINDOW LIGHTING

POSING GUIDE - BY JESS LAYNN

For full body shots

Of course you can

POSING GUIDE - BY JESS LAYNN

FULL BODY SHOTS

POSING GUIDE - BY JESS LAYNN

POSING GUIDE - BY JESS LAYNN

Shutter Speed : 1/250

POSING GUIDE - BY JESS LAYNN

FEET CLOSE TO THE

POSING GUIDE - BY JESS LAYNN

POSING GUIDE - BY JESS LAYNN

There's a huge misconception that poses are

POSING GUIDE - BY JESS LAYNN

The trick is getting

POSING GUIDE - BY JESS LAYNN

I've kept this valuable tip to myself until

POSING GUIDE - BY JESS LAYNN

Step 1 : Place the subject in the pose,

Step 2 : Have them practice going into

Step 3 : Instruct them to sway, rock, or

This creates a natural, almost candid

POSING GUIDE - BY JESS LAYNN

POSING GUIDE - BY JESS LAYNN

Start with casual conversation and find

POSING GUIDE - BY JESS LAYNN

Ask if they have a playlist, artist, or genre

POSING GUIDE - BY JESS LAYNN

As you start to gain their trust they will

(Because they know you're going to

POSING GUIDE - BY JESS LAYNN

Authenticity over perfection. Be willing to

POSING GUIDE - BY JESS LAYNN

POSING GUIDE - BY JESS LAYNN

Now that you have a solid foundation

And in the final section, we'll discuss

Buckle up, because this is where the

POSING GUIDE - BY JESS LAYNN

Start by guiding your subject to stand

"Stand up straight, pulling up from the

POSING GUIDE - BY JESS LAYNN

POSING GUIDE - BY JESS LAYNN

POSING GUIDE - BY JESS LAYNN

POSING GUIDE - BY JESS LAYNN

Leaning against a wall or a prop can create a