senior posing guide

POSING GUIDE: Seniors/Teens created for you by:

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CO O L CALM This simple pose just requires something to lean on and calm, cool expression. The background is plain which will make your subject the easy focal point of the shot.

TIP: Make sure you give your subject something to do with their hands.

Image courtesy Amy from On The Phippside Photography Š 2015 Pretty Presets | www.lightroompresets.com

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SIMPLE CHIC This simple pose shows the subjects body turned at a 45 degree angle from the photographer. One arm is folded across the body lightly grabbing the other arm at the elbow.

TIP: Have the subject push their chin forward and down and smile through the eyes.

Image courtesy Amy from On The Phippside Photography Š 2015 Pretty Presets | www.lightroompresets.com

GET DOWN Image courtesy Amy from On The Phippside Photography Š 2015 Pretty Presets | www.lightroompresets.com

This pose encourages your senior boy to get closer to the ground. Turn the subjects body approximately 45 degrees from the photographer. The back leg sits higher than the front leg and the hands and arms are gently resting on the legs.

HANDS UP This beautiful pose works perfectly for a teen girl. The subject is facing straight to the camera. The softly placed hands help focus attention on the face.

TIP: Not all expressions have to be smiles. Soft, natural edpressions are beautiful, too!

Image courtesy Amy from On The Phippside Photography Š 2015 Pretty Presets | www.lightroompresets.com

S TAY LOW For this pose, your subject kneels on the ground 90 degrees from the photographer. Lifting the knee furthest from you up and gently resting the hands in front.

TIP: Once you have your subject posed, find small ways to change up the pose slightly.

Image courtesy Amy from On The Phippside Photography Š 2015 Pretty Presets | www.lightroompresets.com

FASHION I CO N This simple pose is a great way to show off a favorite outfit. It requires the subject to place most of their weight on one leg and then create interest and lines with their arms and hands. The arms and hands ultimately draw your eye to the face.

Image courtesy Amy from On The Phippside Photography Š 2015 Pretty Presets | www.lightroompresets.com

SIT TA L L To accomplish this sitting pose, the subject should sit at a slight angle from the camera. One leg up allows the subject to rest an elbow on their knee and connect the hand to the face or play with the hair.

Image courtesy Amy from On The Phippside Photography Š 2015 Pretty Presets | www.lightroompresets.com

FRAME FAC E the

Image courtesy Amy from On The Phippside Photography Š 2015 Pretty Presets | www.lightroompresets.com

This pose uses a wall to support your subject. The arm and hair frame the face. The subject raises their arm and places the hand lightly on the top of the head using a very relaxed hand. Have them pull the elbow forward enough to allow it to act as a frame for the face.

PROPS GALORE Image courtesy Amy from On The Phippside Photography Š 2015 Pretty Presets | www.lightroompresets.com

Seniors like to have fun with props. This pose uses the hands and a hat to add variety and frame the face. Something similar could be achieved with a variety of props including an umbrella or a scarf.

TIP: A soft, relaxed mouth is a great way to show a natural expression.

SOFT SMILE Image courtesy Amy from On The Phippside Photography Š 2015 Pretty Presets | www.lightroompresets.com

A soft smile matched with soft surroundings and a neutral outfit are a perfect compliment to one another. Look for ways that clothing, expressions, and surroundings can work together. This can be done ahead of time through consultations or on the spur of the moment.

BEND HERE for girls

Image courtesy Amy from On The Phippside Photography Š 2015 Pretty Presets | www.lightroompresets.com

A simple pose variation that requires no props or seating.

Turning at least 45 degrees from the photographer keeps everything modest, even in a dress. Hands can gently fall across the knees or the back arm can rest on the knee while the hand rests in the hair.

BEND HERE for boys

Image courtesy Amy from On The Phippside Photography Š 2015 Pretty Presets | www.lightroompresets.com

A great pose for senior boys. Turned 45 degrees from the photographer and crouching low to the ground gives a natural pose with no props or seat needed. Hands can be clasped or interlocked and still stay masculine.

SIT STRONG Image courtesy Amy from On The Phippside Photography Š 2015 Pretty Presets | www.lightroompresets.com

This strong pose is perfect for senior boys. All you need is an object to sit on. Have him lean forward and rest the elbow on the knees. Hands can be interlocked or not. It is best if the subject is not shot from straight on. Instead position yourself just slightly to one side.

ABOVE FOLD the

This simple pose works for boys and girls. It only requires a slight turn of the body away from the camera and folding the arms.

TIP: The darker background and slight texture make this photo a perfect candidate for a contrasty black & white.

Be on the lookout!

Image courtesy Amy from On The Phippside Photography Š 2015 Pretty Presets | www.lightroompresets.com

LINE UP Image courtesy Amy from On The Phippside Photography Š 2015 Pretty Presets | www.lightroompresets.com

The lines in the background of this image create lots of interest and texture. The blur allows the subject to be the focal point. Encourage your subject to relax their arms and shoulders (without TOO much slouching, of course) to keep this pose too cool for school!

FAC E TURN Image courtesy Amy from On The Phippside Photography Š 2015 Pretty Presets | www.lightroompresets.com

This pose has your subject turn just over 90 degrees away from the photographer and then look back over their shoulder. The shoulder and face should be connected but not touching.

TIP: Colorful backgrounds are a beautiful compliment to your photo. Blurring them keeps the focus on your subject..

HOLD ON Image courtesy Amy from On The Phippside Photography Š 2015 Pretty Presets | www.lightroompresets.com

This pose engages the clothing in the shot and gives the hands something to do. This can be used with a jacket like this, a sweater, a vest, or a coat.

TIP: Arms hanging limply at the sides of your subject are never flattering. Engage the arms or pull them away from the body when possible.

HANDS HIPS on

Image courtesy Amy from On The Phippside Photography Š 2015 Pretty Presets | www.lightroompresets.com

This sassy pose gives shape and interest to the body. With the subject turned 45 degrees from the photographer, the closest hand is placed on the hip and the other hand comes around to gently touch the first hand.

TIP: Textured clothing and scarves make for great shots.

Encourage it!

SPORT NUT Image courtesy Amy from On The Phippside Photography Š 2015 Pretty Presets | www.lightroompresets.com

Finding a way to incorporate the interests of your subject is a must for senior photos. Whether it be a letterman’s jacket like here, sports equipment, musical instrument, or special clothing, adding these touches makes the photos more personal and slice of who they are at this point in their lives!

LEAN ON Image courtesy Amy from On The Phippside Photography Š 2015 Pretty Presets | www.lightroompresets.com

This pose adds shape to the body while drawing attention to the face. You’ll need an object for your subject to lean on. Have them stand a little away from it and lean to rest their elbow on the object. Place the hand gently on the hair/head to draw the eye upward.

HANDS UP Image courtesy Amy from On The Phippside Photography Š 2015 Pretty Presets | www.lightroompresets.com

Posing the hands close to the face helps draw the eye to the face. Hands should be relaxed and soft to be most effective. Hands can be drawn upward in several different ways. Check out some of the other poses in this guide for more ideas.

S TA N D STRONG Image courtesy Amy from On The Phippside Photography Š 2015 Pretty Presets | www.lightroompresets.com

Color is fabulous in portraits. The contrast of a strong pose and bold colors against a neutral wall accentuates the color. Boys can be photographed straight on. Have girls kick out their hip or place the bottom of their foot flat against the wall to help create curves in the body.

LEAN IN Image courtesy Amy from On The Phippside Photography Š 2015 Pretty Presets | www.lightroompresets.com

This dynamic pose is engaging and says this teen is on the move. Your subject will need something to lean forward on. For boys, if there is something they can lift their foot up on (almost like they are stepping) they can then use their knee to lean forward on. Girls could just lean forward with hands on their hips.

LOOK AWAY Image courtesy Amy from On The Phippside Photography © 2015 Pretty Presets | www.lightroompresets.com

This shot combines the “Bend Here” pose with a soft look away from the camera. Not all photos need to have the subject looking into the camera. A look away can be something different and beautiful to try.

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STRONG TALL Standing strong and facing the camera gives a strong and confident feel to this image that works perfect for boys.

Have your subject take a stance with feet about shoulder-width apart. Place relaxed hands or thumbs in pockets to finish the look.

Image courtesy Amy from On The Phippside Photography Š 2015 Pretty Presets | www.lightroompresets.com

CRISS CROSS This variation of criss-cross-applesauce is a great pose for teen boys. Cross the legs at the ankles while keeping the knees up. Rest relaxed arms across the knees. Allow hands to fall relaxed in front of the knees or be somewhat intertwined.

Image courtesy Amy from On The Phippside Photography Š 2015 Pretty Presets | www.lightroompresets.com

SHAPE P L AY Image courtesy Amy from On The Phippside Photography Š 2015 Pretty Presets | www.lightroompresets.com

This pose is a strong way to frame and draw attention to the face but still maintain a very masculine look. Have your subject sit at a 90 degree angle to the camera and pull up both knees. Bring the elbow up on top of the knees and gently place the head in the hand. Have them turn their face toward you.

THINK MORE Image courtesy Amy from On The Phippside Photography Š 2015 Pretty Presets | www.lightroompresets.com

This simple pose requires something just higher than elbow-height to lean on. Then have your subject lean gently on their hand with a calm, assured look.

TIP: Backlighting is a beautiful light to shoot portraits in. When shooting in backlight, make sure take the meter reading from the face or your shot will be underexposed.

STRONG FOLD Image courtesy Amy from On The Phippside Photography Š 2015 Pretty Presets | www.lightroompresets.com

Crossing the arms gives a strong, no-nonsense vibe to this shot. Most teen or senior boys will feel very confident and comfortable doing this easy pose.

TIP: Photographing boys straight on to the camera is generally very flattering. It helps them appear self-assured and assertive.

SUIT UP Image courtesy Amy from On The Phippside Photography Š 2015 Pretty Presets | www.lightroompresets.com

Suits really add an I-mean-business-vibe to a teen or senior photo. Posing should reflect the same attitude.

Strong poses and more serious looks are the perfect compliment. The concrete steps in the background create a strong pattern that helps to frame the subject.