Taking pictures are one of those things that people tend to feel strongly about. Most folks fall into 1 of 2 camps. The one that’s always taking photos, and the one that avoids the camera like the plague. I like taking photos, always have. So I’m sharing my tips for how to pose for better photo’s. One of my favorite gifts I received as a kid was a camera. It had a long strap, and I would take it with me and wear it around my neck, snapping pictures of anything I deemed significant.

Times have changed, and I am in front of the camera way more these days. I’ve posed for hundreds of photos since relaunching LifesKandy, and I have come along way with my posing. This is from one of our first shoots together. I am a millennial, so I am good for a hand on the hip but I cracked up at this.

Plan Out Your Shoot

My second or third shoot with Leah, I decided to plan everything out. I’m not a Type A person at all, but showing up with clothes and vibes doesn’t always amount to the best pictures. You need vision. I picked out my outfits days in advance, came up with a list of photos I wanted to take, and picked a few words for the vibe I was going for. I shared these with Leah beforehand, and it helped her plan out our locations. This was a turning point for us. Our shoots started to flow better, and I had a variety of photos to choose from.

Place Your Arm On an Object

This is one of my go-to poses. I place my arm on a wall, bannister, doorframe etc. I’m sure there is a technical reason behind it, but for me this pose provides a focal point for me as the subject. It also takes away the awkwardness of what to do with your hands. I like prop one foot forward which helps your body be in a long line.

Use Props

I usually take my photos first thing in the morning, sometimes starting before the sun is up. With that being said I am usually shooting by myself, so I like to set the scene with props. I bring magazines, use different glasses, books etc. It keeps my pictures from being too repetitive, and gives me and my audience something to focus on. They can also tie in with the theme of the shoot.

Over-exaggerate Your Expressions

One of the first things I learned about taking photos is doing things so they translate well for the camera. A wry smile doesn’t always photograph well. You may be going for mysterious and end up looking mad. Models do it in photoshoots all the time. It seems like their putting on, and it feels a little ridiculous. But in order to convey emotion the way you want to on camera you have to overexaggerate so it photographs well.

Find Your Power Pose

My number one tip for how to pose for better photos is finding your power pose. A power pose is one that looks good no matter the outfit or the setting. I have a few power poses that work really well, and always look good in photos. I use those poses over and over again and they always turn out great. Just like with personal style, you don’t have to re-invent the wheel. Once you find a formula that works stick with it. This will help with consistency in your pictures and finding your favorite photography style.

How To Pose For Better Photos

These are all my tips for how to pose for better photos. I’ve come a long way from my superwoman stance. Practice makes perfect, and the more photos you take the more comfortable you will get in front of the camera. At the end of the day the most important thing is to do what makes you feel good, and to get the photos you’ll be happy with.