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There are a thousand approaches to effective posing. Successful posing begins with the model. Some models are naturally more comfortable than others in front of the camera, finding good poses on their own with little or no direction. Part of that comes with experience, part of it is simply in the model’s DNA. Some models have not spent much time in front of the camera, are less confident and that’s where your skill as a photographer becomes more important.

In either case, the calm and confidence you project from behind the camera is as important as what the model is doing in front of the camera. That confidence can take many forms. Some photographers exert a very strong presence on set, issuing very specific instructions to the model about the pose they want.

Move the hand slightly up.” “Tilt your head to the right.” “Hold it right there for me.”

Another photographer might be less specific by describing to the model in general what he’s looking for before the shoot or each situation and then allowing the model to find the desired poses. It depends on the situation, on the model’s comfort and skill level, on your confidence and skill level.

When starting out with as novice model, and many of the girls we photographed at Playboy had never been in front of the camera before much less in front of the camera nude, we used a variety of methods to try to relax the model, make her feel comfortable, secure and beautiful. Explain what you are trying to achieve and project a friendly but professional demeanor. Keep distractions to a minimum. Be very gentle when correcting but very strong when reinforcing things that are working to your satisfaction.

Long-time Playboy photographer Pompeo Posar would sometimes not even load his camera for the first minutes when putting a rookie model on set for a Playmate test. First of all, in those early days, keeping the cost of test shootings down was at a premium. And he wanted to observe how the model reacted to the click of the camera, the flash of the lights. His approach was almost seductive and he had a wonderful European charm to fall back on. His favorite direction was

Make love to the camera”

because he wanted the girl to feel free to project her sexuality while at the same time making her understand that it was for the camera and not for him personally.
In those initial tests, we were looking for not only the model’s overall photogenic qualities, but also for the poses that were most effective for her. Very often those tests provided us with a guide for the eventual pose we would use for the centerfold shot.

About Gary Cole

This may sound a little obvious but always remember that your model is someone with feelings, someone susceptible to insecurity, a need for positive reinforcement. Models get cold, hot, thirsty, hungry, bored, distracted just like the rest of us. It doesn’t matter if they are being paid or are there just for the experience and subsequent photos. Treat them with consideration and kindness and you’ll get so much more from them.

The STC Posing Guide is a tremendously useful tool to help photographers conquer the challenge of effective posing. If you don’t have one, it’s a very good investment, especially for those of you who may have struggled with directing a model in front of the camera.

~Gary Cole

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