Modeling Poses

One of the most important aspects of modeling is poise. The ability to pose well in front of a camera and hold yourself well at all times is what will separate you from all the other people out there that are trying to make their way into the modeling industry. It doesn't matter how pretty you are, or how well proportioned your body is, if you can't follow it up with a confident posture modeling agencies will not give you a second glance. There are some tried and true methods to use when learning modeling poses, and it is always important, in whatever profession, to look at how the experts acheive their success.

Unfortunately it is easy to fall into the trap of "overposing", similar to the way an actor or actress will overact. The trick is to look as natural as possible, and the way to do this is to observe people in everyday situations. Go to a crowded shopping centre, find a seat and just watch for a while. Take note of where peoples hands and arms are. Are they folding their arms across their chest, holding their hands together, putting their hands in their pockets. Observe the different body language of men and women, notice what they do when they laugh, argue, or when they are simply talking excitedly with a friend. Another important thing to do is take special notice of anyone who stands out in the crowd. Pay attention to them and try and discern what it is that makes them stand out. Sometimes this can be difficult to ascertain, and it could be as subtle as a flickering of eyelashes or a sideways smile.

During your modelling career you will be asked to perform many different roles. Some people think that modeling is just walking down the catwalk and smiling, but you will have to master a miriad of situations to be successful in your career. You may be asked, for example, to pose as a sick person for an advertisement for pain relief, or as an angry bank customer, or a loving mother, or... the list goes on and on.

Try combinations of bending limbs, fingers, arms and elbows. Experiment with placing your head slightly to one side, this is what people naturally do, and your job really is to mimic real people. Use what you've got; if you have a shapely silhouette then stand slightly side on when posing.

The one most important thing to do is experiment in front of a mirror. The bigger the better. If you can get a mirror that spands the full length of a wall, then you can work on walking as well as your model poses. If this is not available, take a walk down your main street and use the shop windows. No one needs to know you are looking at yourself, they will just think you are window shopping.

Good luck with your modeling poses...