Tips for Photographers (T4P) is a weekly feature where I talk about a cool tip that I think will benefit my fellow photographers. For more T4Ps, click here!
Today’s Tip for Photographers is going to be about posing inspiration. Posing is probably one of the hardest aspects of being a photographer, and in my opinion, one of the most important factors in what separates a good photographer from a so-so one. It also completely sets the tone for the photoshoot and your “style” as a photographer.
My primary source of inspiration for my posing is magazines. My poor boyfriend can attest that I buy every single Bridal magazine I can find, as well as several high-fashion magazines such as Vogue and Elle, and I immediately run home and flip through every page, ripping out any poses that inspire me. I have a huge collection of tearsheets that I have collected over the past few years…
I used to paste these into a journal where I would make notes on each pose, what I liked about it, how to achieve it, what types of brides/dresses the poses worked best with…
Now I keep them organized into a binder, divided into categories such as “Poofy Dresses,” “Mermaid dresses,” “Bridesmaids,” “Bride and Groom,” “Groom alone,” “Details,” etc., so that I can easily find the tearsheet that apply to whatever it is I am shooting that day.
Before each session, I go through my binder and review the poses that apply to that particular day’s shoot, and I try to commit 2-3 of the poses to memory. I study them very carefully and try to burn the aspects of the pose that I like into my brain. Then, during the session, I will re-create those poses, but I will do something different to make them my own, such as changing the arm placement, lighting, angle of the body, or composition. After awhile, you will have a mental repertoire of images that you can work from during your sessions whenever you can’t think of something new or unique.
That’s it for this week. Hope you guys like the new feature! Let me know what you think 
11 Comments
Great great idea! My boyfriend is going to freak out though… lol
You rock Stacy… You’re always so generous with your knowledge!
This is something I started doing about a year ago myself, and it’s amazing how helpful it can be! My only problem now is my enormous stack of magazines waiting to be cut up… hehe
Thanks for sharing such a wonderful idea! I am looking forward to many more of your tips!
Thank you for not being stingy with your ideas. You are such a great photographer, and you are not afraid to give your secrets out. How wonderful! Thanks A LOT!
Oh my gosh!!!
I JUST LOVE this tip! Stacy!!! This rocks! I love it!!!
Cheerio
-Melissa E Earle
Wow! How do you find the time?!?!?! But it is VERY much appreciated!
Thanks for the superb tips. I’ve been trying to do this for a while know but I not too organized.
I love your tip! Must start this on my own…
And I love this new feature on your awesome blog, thanks for sharing your wisdom with us
Just loved this post. I’ve heard you mention that before….now it’s time to put it to practice!!
BRILLIANT idea!! I do something sort of similar but this is way better
AND - it really helps me understand why your posing is truly fantastic. You work hard at it!
Stacey you are amazing !! This is such a great tip. I have been doing the same thing with tear sheets, but you took it to the next level and I think it’s a great idea. I really appreciate your openness with the T4P. You ROCK !!