TOP 10 • POSING DIRECTIONS
The world of fine art nude photography explores the creative process of capturing the female form. But it’s not just about showcasing a model’s physical attributes. I’m journeying into her soul. I’m constantly searching for models who’ve empowered their confidence. I want her inner beauty to converge with art. If we succeed, then each photograph is a visual poem.
"Triangles"
• One of the most popular posing instructions in fine art nude is to create triangles. This is achieved by bending knees & elbows. It creates an intertwining flow from head to toe and adds to the pose’s allure.
"Asymmetry"
• Triangles are great, but they need to be asymmetric. Body symmetry is widely considered attractive in humans. However, symmetry in posing makes the pose look too rigid. For this reason, I prefer asymmetric poses by adjusting the head, arms, hips, and legs. This adds an energetic element to the pose.
"Fan Hair"
• This direction is a personal preference. I avoid hair in a bun or tied up because I prefer long flowing hair. Fanning hair across her shoulders accentuates the flow of the viewer’s attention down her torso.
"Facial Profile"
• I always ask my model not to hide her nose & chin. I prefer to have her face visible in every image. In profile, this means seeing the contours of her nose and chin. In other words, hands or arms should not cover her face, mouth, or chin (i.e., at least not too much). This direction is one of my personal preferences.
"Open Mouth"
• I often ask my model to open her mouth so that I see her front teeth. I’m looking for a relaxed jawline. Photographers will not admit the reason for this direction, so you’ll read it here for the first time. Are you ready? An open mouth evokes the illusion that the model is at the beginning of an orgasm. Yes, you read that correctly. At this very moment, she is completely relaxed and vulnerable.
"Ski Slope"
• A common pose in fine art nude photography is to ask the model to protrude her bum and arch her back. Bending her shoulders back creates a beautiful ski slope contour. It also the added illusion that her breasts are larger. It’s all about creating flow!
"Both Cheeks"
• When shooting from behind, I always ask my model to position her bum so that I can see both cheeks. It’s a classic pose for this genre. I’m not quite sure of the psychological reasoning behind it. But whenever I see a photo showing only one cheek I find myself always asking, “Where’s the other one?”
"Twisting"
• Twisting the torso brings a lot of sexual energy to the pose. The first step is asking my model to stand with her back to the camera at about a 45° angle. This way I can see both bum cheeks. Then I ask her to completely twist her shoulders towards me so that I can see her facial profile. This pose is very powerful and accentuates her body’s flow.
"Tippy Toes"
• This is another classic pose, especially for fine art nudes. I ask my models to always stand on their tippy toes or point their toes when sitting or lying down. We’re conditioned as humans to interpret long legs as a healthy upbringing and a positive effect on fertility. It’s foundational to dancing, ballet, and high heels.
"Look Down"
• When looking down it’s important for my model to look outside of the frame about 45° off my camera position. This adds to the image’s story. because the viewer asks, “What is she looking at?” It’s important that she looks at something specific, otherwise, it appears as though she’s looking at a floating object. It doesn’t look natural. I also want to see the pupils of her eyes because it may look like she’s blinking. I prefer that my model doesn’t look up. I inevitably ask, “Is she looking at a bird or a plane?” It’s not provocative. Closed eyes work in some instances, such as when they evoke a feeling of ecstasy.
Side Note • My posing directions and reasoning behind them may be controversial. These instructions are strictly my personal preferences. I photograph for my artistic canvas and for the style I’m trying to achieve.
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