Friday, September 27, 2013

Don't be a poser, but if you have to...

My close friend, talented photographer, and now photography blogger Samantha Bartlett had asked me a few weeks ago to do a guest post on how to pose for the camera. I couldn't help but snicker to myself because I still don't have the faintest clue what I'm doing. If you watch Aaron and I take pictures, it's usually me standing awkwardly, and Aaron saying stuff like: "Too stiff. Too fake. Smile more!! Your arm looks funny. Stop looking constipated. Look over there! Squirrel!!

In any event, I thought I could have a little fun with this and share some of the top 8 go-to stances that have worked somewhat for Sunny with a side of. Yes, I collectively have named these poses:

1. THE "SMILE AT NOTHING"

This one is probably the easiest to do. Just relax your body and stare off at the nearest tree, lamp post or telephone wire, then think of something funny. You'd be surprised how well this technique works, and you still look somewhat natural.


 2. THE "WHATEVER"

Not a care in the world. Nope. Not paying any attention. Not listening.


3. "MY PRETEND EAR PIECE"

My hair often gets in the way, so may pictures are captured of me trying to tuck my hair back... which ends up looking like I'm talking on an invisible ear piece. It works, somehow.
Roger that.


4. "THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER"

Oh say can you see...

5. THE SIT

Sitting works much better than squatting- which is an awkward position to begin with, and I risk ripping my pants. The trick is to always keep your back straight.


6. MESSY HAIR

There are all sorts of ways you can mess with your hair, get closer portrait shots and have fun with it. It's also much easier to do this when there is a strong wind out. 

7. HIDE IN THE BUSHES

Use the nature around you to be part of the camera frame, especially if you need to hide your crooked skirts/pants.

8. THE "RE-ADJUSTING MY BOTTOMS"

In this case, my skirt was crooked. However, while you are adjusting your bottoms, you can turn it into a pose. This is a variation of "hands on the hips", except I think this looks maybe a little bit less forced.
Top: Generously contributed by Lalamagic
Skirt: J.Crew
Bag: Target (Philip Lim)
Shoes: Ferragamo

Bottom line is, it doesn't matter if you're a beginner fashion blogger or top model, do what you are comfortable with. There's really no right or wrong way, as long as you're connecting with the photographer, enjoying the experience and having fun. With time, the rest will fall together naturally. Have an awesome weekend, everyone!!! Check out Samantha's photography blog!

She's not afraid of us. Not one single bit

53 comments:

  1. Aw this is fun! I get so shy once a camera is in front of me, so I'll have to remember these!!!

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  2. Great tips! You're a natural in front of the camera :) I'm sooo bad at posing. I know nothing about photography and neither do the people I ask to take my pictures haha! I ruin so many pictures by blinking, moving too abruptly, or standing awkwardly

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  3. Thanks for the original posing tips. I love your funny descriptions.

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  4. Hi dear, you are an image of elegance, love this classic look

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  5. These are great tips, I feel like I end up posing the same way a lot. "Smile at nothing" and "pretend ear piece" are usually my go-to's!

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  6. I have to say, I think these are you and your husband's best pictures! It's great to see your collaboration. And that last picture of Grace is too too cute!

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  7. Great posing ideas! What a beautiful flower field in the background, and I love how the buttons look like bows. Cute photo of you and Grace!

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  8. Ahhh love this post, so funny & quite helpful! I have to admit I'm still a bit awkward when my bf has to take pics of me esp if they are for outfit posts! I don't mind the casual "candid" lifestyle pics but the outfit ones need some time haha. So lovin' the Phillip Lim for Target purse~ Sweet sweet pic of Grace :)
    www.speakstyleandrock.com

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  9. This is such a great post! My favorite pose is the smile at nothing pose because it ends up looking natural and everyone looks good happy! Thanks for your comment sweetie and I hope you are having a good weekend!

    xx Easy Outfits, by Pip

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  10. This is such a good post and haha this give me more inspiration on what kind of photoshot I can do in the future! Do you mind if we follow each other ? Do let me know on my blog (: x

    http://birdiethgirl.blogspot.com

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  11. i never thought of the "readjusting your bottoms" pose! i'll have to try that one out!

    cute & little

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  12. Aw this is such a great post. Definitely helps inspire me to do a few more "out of my comfort zone" poses for my style outfits! P.S. love the way you styled the Phillip Lim x Target mini satchel. I got the same one and cannot wait to wear it!

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  13. This blog post is SOOO GREAT! I mean really FUNNY! Also the photos are incredible along with you bag! LOVING IT!

    Stephanie Dong 360 Fashion +

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  14. Awesome post Christy!
    When I had the bump, I just did the side view hand on belly. Now I don't know how to pose except for hands on hip or dangling on side. Aaahhh. So thank you thank you for these awesome pointers. I'll definitely try them out :)
    And ms. Grace is so so cute!

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  15. you are so lovely! very beautiful and great styling. love the details on your blouse those cute button-like. and your skirt, love the cut and how it suits your height, charming it is. the bag adds chicness and class to the whole outfit esp with those pretty flats. It's something I would wear too. :)


    would you like to follow each other on GFC and bloglovin, and facebook too maybe? just let me know. :)

    xx
    ellie
    http://chasingculprit.blogspot.com/

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  16. wonderful post. so helpful. thanks for sharing it.
    kisses
    Maren Anita

    FASHION-MEETS-ART by Maren Anita

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  17. I have no hope for myself. I will always and forever be awkward when I photograph myself and that's just the way it is, haha. You look great in pretty much every pose, it seems, so you've got that going for you!

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  18. lucky you yougot that bag?
    I'm in Korea so I couldn't purchase it :(
    love your outfit!

    pink.lemon.in.crystal

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  19. love the candid shot of you and grace! and also your blouse! do you know if it is still available?

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  21. Lovely post with loads of useful advice ! I like to pose myself but being natural on pics is always a tricky thing. I like your blog very much and I am a new follower on Bloglovin. Your child is the cutest child ever, really ! <3

    Fashion and Cookies
    Fashion and Cookies on Facebook
    Bloglovin

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  22. Hey (: I followed you via bloglovin, do follow back (: x

    http://birdiethgirl.blogspot.com

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  23. haha love all your poses! love how they are all so natural :) I wish I could smile nicely in a natural way though! the messy hair look can look so candid and fun! :)

    Metallic Paws

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  24. You look so amazing! Love the skirt on its own, but it's so gorgeous with the navy. This look is so polished and refined- simply gorgeous on you.

    Sincerely,
    Sabrina

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  25. I laughed so hard at what Aaron says to you! :-D
    And loved the poses and explanation for them .. too good .. and again lol!
    I really am awkward in front of the camera. So will definitely try some of these and hope they work for me ;-)

    http://everythingthatclicks.blogspot.com

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  26. Christy, you are a pro at posing! You could be a model! I love these! Beautiful picture of you and Grace. I've never been to ANY Fashion Week events or runway shows. I wish! HaHa There's always great coverage of New York and London. It get's kind of spotty with Milan and Paris. I usually follow on Style.com.
    http://www.averysweetblog.com/

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  27. Love all the suggestions and i absolutely adore the picture of you and your daughter!!!!!!

    Agi:)

    vodkainfusedlemonade.com

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  28. haha! I am totally guilty to many of these poses too. And I usually think it's silly, but hey-- outfits need to be documented, right? :)

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  29. Haha, I love that you named your poses. You are so funny! And gorgeous. And my favorite smile at nothing one because I totally do that too!

    Grace is adorable!

    xo, Yi-chia
    Always Maylee

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  30. Love this post. I am a horrible poser so I will be putting some of these to the test. I like #6 the best. Super natural and pretty!

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  31. hehe you are too funny! love your advice on posing. also love your unique names for the different poses! so clever. I might have to try out some of these moves next time I'm out shooting! ;)

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  32. Oh my gosh, I love this post. BOOKMARKING SO I CAN BE A POSER TO YOUR POSES. ;)

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  33. This is so great, I love the names you came up with. :)
    How do you make messy hair look good? You look beautiful. I love your blouse and the bow button detail. That picture of you and Grace is priceless. You captured a perfect moment. hehe - Eva

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  34. LOL, OMG literally, I just LOL'd reading this. You could not have captured the "behind the scenes" of a fashion blogger in words better than this post. Did I ever tell you how much I seriously enjoy reading your blog? <3 Anyhow, GREAT tips on posing hehe and I have to admit- I've definitely done all 8 of these plus a few more awkward ones. My husband probably yells "Why are you blinking so much" like 800 times when we're shooting. Oh, and also "Can you not look so mad? The serious poses - NOT working!" Hahaha. Btw, PLEASE do come visit SoCal soon! (and bring Grace because I'm dying to meet her!!!) :) Hope you're having a great week.

    xx,
    Christine
    www.thefashionpledge.com

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  35. All the different poses are so cute!
    xoxo

    www.cakeandcouture.com

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  36. I think you might just be a master picture-poser. I love the hilarious descriptions of each pose so much - they made me laugh out loud! I am the WORST poser and even worse, my husband never gives me any tips! Gah. Anyway, you really are a great poser :)

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  37. This post is awesome! After blogging for a year now, I'm a bit more comfortable posing for the camera. I totally agree with you though as long as you're comfortable everything will fall into place :)

    Kara
    stylishinseattle.blogspot.com

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  38. omg that last photo is everything!! So precious!
    xo,
    nancy

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  39. I love the descriptions of the poses. They make so much sense :) By the way I didn't go to the gaming convention haha. It's a bit too much for me.

    P.S. Grace is soo cute!

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  40. Oh so true! Posing is not an exact science! Great tips!
    Hope
    hchdesigns.blogspot.com

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  41. This is SO HILARIOUS! I love it--great tips and I love the way you described each. I think the smile at nothing one is easiest along with fixing my ear piece. The readjusting my bottom and star spangled banner ones are new to me though, so I'll have to try them out.

    And gosh, Grace is so adorable and she's just growing up so fast too :)

    Aloha from Hawaii,
    <3 Jenn

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  42. Oh my gosh, I LOVE this post....so funny!! :)

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  43. Hehehe I loved this, coming up with poses is impossible. I definitely have some of these in my arsenal ;) You and Grace are just too cute!!

    Mili from call me, Maeby

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  44. These pictures are stunning and look so fun! And Grace is such a cutie!

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  45. This is beautiful, love how you style it! Great photos too!

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  46. This is beautiful, love how you style it! Great photos too!

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  47. LOL, I totally enjoyed this post! It's so true, sometimes we have to do the cheesiest, most pretentious poses. My favorite one is hailing the cab pose, but the 'whatever' look also wins. Beautiful pictures, regardless!

    WWW.ROXTHEFOX.COM

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  48. What a fun and whimsical post. It's great to tell a little bit of the truth behind photograph and all the awkwardness that comes with it. Wonderful tips and beautiful photos!

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  49. I love this!!! You do each pose so well too and make it look effortless! That blouse is super cute and I'm loving the daily dose of Grace...so adorable:)

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