Most obvious statement of the year: Models are extremely photogenic. They spend the majority of their working hours in front of the lens, so they've naturally figured out exactly what it takes to look amazing on camera, whether it's for a professional photo shoot or just an iPhone selfie. So, as we do, we went straight to the source and asked model Emma Sanders for her best tips, and the native New Zealander (who is now based in NYC) was filled with useful advice.
Sanders, who has modeled for Christian Siriano, H&M, and ASOS, to name a few, has an Instagram feed that's composed of one example after another that proves just how photogenic she is. She's clearly a natural in front of the camera, so we were anxious to hear what she had to say on the topic of the posing mistakes photogenic models (such as herself) never make.
Keep reading for Sanders' tips and a slew of examples that show how she and her fellow models expertly pose for the camera.
Mistake #1: Not Knowing Your Light
"When I'm about to take a picture, I always do a quick assessment in my head as to where the light is coming from. I try to angle my face so it's shining directly frontal to my face (like standing right in front of a window) or slightly from the side. If you tilt your face a little bit sideways, you might catch that light to highlight your cheekbones. I try to avoid direct sunlight from the top, or light from the bottom. If it's a photo in the middle of the daytime, I'll tilt my head up into the sun and smile. It's a cute pose and that way the face catches the light and you don't have to worry about unflattering shadows on the face. I guess there's a reason all professional photo shoots take a longer lunch break on location to avoid that harsh top light. Knowing your light is the absolute make or break for a great picture." — Emma Sanders
Mistake #2: Don't Copy the Poses Everyone Else Is Doing
"Don't copy the pose everybody else is doing in the photo. If everybody is doing the same 'standing at a 45-degree angle, hand in hip and head tilted smile' pose, the picture will seem too posed and boring. Find your angle, channel your personality or what you're feeling in that moment, and just act natural." — Emma Sanders
Mistake #3: Grimacing
"Lastly, when a model takes a portrait shot, she knows that it's all in the slightest changes in the face that will make one shot be the winner over the other. Don't grimace your face with your eyes wide open and with too pursed lips. You'll look like a deer in the headlights with duck lips. Some insider tips are to slightly open your mouth like you're whispering the word 'marmalade' (that purses the lips a little bit and parts them just enough to make your mouth look relaxed), try and exude a warmth in your eyes, or when going for a big smile, push your tongue up the the roof of your mouth to elongate your jawline and avoid a double chin. Finally, make tiny, tiny adjustments in tilting your face and see the difference these changes make when you practice taking portrait selfies." — Emma Sanders
As an enthusiast with demonstrable knowledge in the field of modeling and photography, let me delve into the concepts presented in the article titled "Outfits" by Allyson Payer. The article features insights from model Emma Sanders, known for her work with Christian Siriano, H&M, and ASOS. Emma shares tips on posing mistakes that photogenic models avoid, providing valuable advice for achieving captivating photographs. Let's break down the key concepts discussed:
Concept 1: Importance of Knowing Your Light
Emma Sanders emphasizes the crucial role of understanding and utilizing light for a great picture. She mentions assessing the source of light before taking a photo, recommending frontal or slightly side angles for optimal results. Avoiding harsh top light or light from the bottom is essential to prevent unflattering shadows. Sanders stresses that knowing your light is the "make or break" factor for achieving exceptional photos.
Concept 2: Avoiding Pose Replication
The article highlights the advice of not copying common poses seen in photographs. Emma Sanders advises against adopting generic poses like the 'standing at a 45-degree angle, hand on hip, and head tilted smile.' Instead, models are encouraged to find their unique angles, express their personalities, and act natural to avoid photos appearing posed and dull.
Concept 3: Facial Expressions and Avoiding Grimacing
Emma Sanders addresses the importance of facial expressions in portrait shots. Models, according to her, should make subtle changes in their facial expressions to distinguish one shot from another. She specifically warns against grimacing, wide-eyed looks, and overly pursed lips, offering tips such as slightly opening the mouth and exuding warmth in the eyes. She also suggests techniques like whispering the word 'marmalade' to relax the lips or pushing the tongue against the roof of the mouth for a big smile to elongate the jawline.
By examining the examples provided in the article, featuring photographs of Emma Sanders and other models like Bella Hadid, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and Kendall Jenner, readers can visually comprehend the effectiveness of the discussed posing techniques. The shared Instagram posts serve as tangible evidence of how these models expertly apply the advice to create visually appealing and natural-looking poses.
In conclusion, the article not only provides valuable insights from a seasoned model but also supports these tips with concrete examples, making it a comprehensive guide for anyone looking to enhance their posing skills for photography.
