Reimagined Portrait Art | Posing 101

When I am creating grad or family portraits in Vermilion, I am checking out my client to see what is the best way to present their body on camera.

That may sound creepy but really, it’s a large part of my job to understand how different shapes are read by my camera.

I do not pose people the same way just because it’s easy. I pose you based on your body type. I will change camera angles, light positions and how you sit/stand and what clothes you wear based on your body type.

Why do I do this?

A camera sees in two dimensions. It can’t tell that your nose sticks out further than your ears. To the camera, all of that occurs on one flat plane.

Whatever is closest to the camera appears larger.

Are you like me and were gifted with a large “honker”. The very last thing I’m going to do is photograph that nose straight on to the camera as that will make it look even bigger!!

If you have been “blessed” with a larger bust line than your maid of honour. The last thing I’m going to do is stand you up straight face on to the camera and photograph you from straight in front of you.

Remember, whatever is closer to the camera appears larger. If I’m not careful, I can add a cup size to your bust line and 20 pounds to your hips/thighs.

Isn’t that amazing? Adding weight to any client’s body due to my inadvertent positioning of you in the image is the very last thing I want to do!

My portrait instructor photographed models for advertising in the clothing industry.

We had one class where he photographed each of us and as we walked up for our turn, he spoke about how he was looking at our shape and spoke about how he analyzed how to photograph each of us to make our unique characteristics shine.

Kim has a large flat forehead, big eyes, heavy cheeks and nose so I’m going to……

Not exactly body image building material eh?

But in my portrait, you didn’t notice my flat forehead, my heavy cheeks or big nose. My eyes were accentuated with a soft smile and long neck line to minimize my larger features.

When I photograph you, I’m going to build into your pose, body lines that will pull attention away from “problem areas” to minimize things you may feel uncomfortable with.

Before I photograph any client, I ask them what are areas they have concern with because I’m not going to put them front and centre or they will not like their portrait.

We choose clothing based on that answer – don’t like the flabby bits under your arms dangling down, don’t wear a tank top! Think your belly is heavy? Wear a fitted solid colour shirt as loose clothing or patterns can add more weight.

I am professionally trained in posing and what this means to you is that I’m going to accentuate your body lines, minimize areas that bother you, coach you on clothing choices to help with that and use lighting complete with shadows to further “sculpt” your portrait.

These are things I can do as I am professionally trained in portraits by an expert in posing and body image.

Don’t like your portrait taken? Give me a try and let’s work together to build a portrait that results in a more realistic version of your beautiful self!

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  • ElnaJanuary 13, 2025 - 2:01 pm

    Beautiful shot ReplyCancel

Vermilion, AB