Learn to pose like a professional model

“I can do anything you want me to do so long as I don't have to speak.”

 Linda Evangelista (http://www.fashionmodeldirectory.com/models/Linda_Evangelista/)

What makes your legs look longer, your arms more elegant, your neck more kissable? Is you posture something you use to your best advantage? What does the placement of your hand reflect and what shape are you making against the background? As a model, you will need to consider every aspect of your body and then pose - like you haven’t.

Creating poses that serve the unique purpose of each booking you get as a model is a vital skill and requires a great deal of focus, attention and consideration. The professional photographer or choreographer on any modelling assignment will already have a clear idea of how they want you to perform and what your poses should achieve; you just need to ensure you have the confidence and ability to both interpret and fulfil their requirements.

You know your body better than anyone and now that you are about to embark on a modelling career, you are going to have to look at it as your ‘tool of the trade’. Learning to pose like a professional model involves studying the posture of models on the catwalks at fashion shows, in images in magazines and other media. What do you think was the idea behind her pose? Can you think of how you could make it better?

Practice model posing techniques and get a friend to take photos so that you can thoroughly examine your particular look. Be critical and try adjusting your pose in very small ways; to see just how much difference the simple placement of a hand or angle of the neck, can make.

Once you feel confident that you have a range of model poses and a clear understanding of your own ability, then it is time to work with a professional photographer. Each photographer will communicate their expectations differently and you will need to learn to interpret what they want. Exchanging your developing skills as a model, for time with a professional photographer (and free prints) is a valuable experience. ‘Time For Prints’ is a great way to gain modelling experience with a professional photographer, without cost.