Awesome Tips for Photography Models

Starting off to be a model:

Photography can be an extreme job: whether it’s photos of family, friends, food, scenery or modeling. But for now, let's start with modeling, one of the most popular types of photography. You, or someone else that you may/may not know can be completely brand new, and want to give it a whirl. Here will be given some great tips for non-models to bring your pictures to life. Now, let’s get started.

Acceptable Hairstyles

Hair is something that everyone notices in a photo; it is an art represented to the heavens (not literally, but it is an art! Thanks, Key and Peele). Let’s just start with hair growth, or in this case, long hair since it seems a bit common in models.

Long hair can be considered “bad hair,” depending on the way it’s presented; technically there are no rules to what looks best. Let’s say we’re doing a basic portrait without makeup and hair stylists. Hair sitting on shoulders is considered “wild” and has to be presented differently. Some good hairstyles with long hair are: in front of shoulders, all on one side, all on the other side, and hair up (ponytails).

Note that ponytails are sometimes used in order to avoid distractions with the Posing Instructions, with a clear/clean view of the model’s face. Also it’s a very common hairstyle that’s especially on really hot, humid days. It also pays to have a clean background for hair photographers.

Chin and Arm Posture

A person’s chin could show a small amount of flab when you’re standing normally relaxed in good posture. Did you know that? Even if the model is skinny, it’ll still be noted. The easiest way to hide this flab in front of the camera, is by elongating the neck or the polite way to say, ears forward. This pose keeps the chin’s definition and can be quite uncomfortable for the model, but it brings out the beauty of the model in the photograph. “Is it worth it” you ask? Totally.

A second good posture is lifting the arm. When you stand naturally, the arms look flat and presses against the torso, making the model appear awkward in the photo. With the arm lift by an inch or two, it looks slimmer than it would when standing naturally. Photographers usually tell the models to have their hands on the hips alternatively, and to have some negative space between both arms by pulling them forward.

Working on Shoulders

Another good tip is the shoulders. It’s quite a simple tip but just as important for posture. Have them turned to an angle to promote a slimmer figure, than the usual head-on camera angle facing the camera.

Having the mouth slightly open creates a vulnerability to the image that’s very inviting for its viewers.

Oh, here’s a fun one: keeping the chin lifted makes a small forehead appear.

Now for the Eyes and Nose

It does not matter should the model wears glasses or contacts, or just natural, what does matter is that the iris should be clearly visible in the photo. In any angle, if too much white of the eye is visible it’s gonna make the model look a bit possessed (We don’t want that).

The nose angle applies only for quarter-turned photos; having the face turned too far the nose is called “Face Break” and appears to extend past the face, so you want to angle the head just right in order to capture that perfect No-break for the photo.

That’s all, folks! That’s how to make a great model out of yourself (or someone else) in photography. Have fun!