So many artists struggle with posing. Especially when it's in a small space. Don't let posing intimate you. Just moving a hand to the left, lifting the chin and shifting the weight over can be simple changes, but effect the look completely.

1. SITTING ON A STOOL- LEGS KICKED AND AND HANDS OPPOSITE

Some of my favorite posing basics are using the rule of opposites. I try not to have each side of the body doing exactly the same thing. I try to vary the height of the feet, bend the knee, have the elbow higher etc.

2. RESTING THE HEAD ON THE HANDS

You can do this pose with them sitting, kneeling, squatting or any variation. I think women especially are more apt to relax with their body is more comfortable. This pose emphasizes the face while also de-emphazing the body and waistline.

3. SITTING AND HEAD COCKED TO ONE SIDE

I love how the shoulders are tilted to different angles and the hands are doing different things. Remember the first rule of posing? Never have each side of the body do exactly the same thing.

4. STANDING AND LOOKING TO ONE SIDE WHILE ARMS ARE IN MOTION

Women's skirts are the best for this pose, but men can do it to with a jacket or a bag.

5. HANDS IN POCKETS LOOKING TO ONE SIDE-

I LOVE it when girls (or guys) have pockets. You can rest the hand in so many different directions with out it dangling and looking awkward. I always have weight shifted to one foot or the other. Again- a little imbalance of the body makes a more interesting photo.

6. LEANING ON A WALL OR A LADDER

I love using random things I find around the studio to have the model lean on or prop their foot on to give more interest in the body position. I love how it promotes for women- more curves and shape.

7. HANDS PLAYING WITH HAIR, EARRING, COLLAR, NECKLACE OR TIE.

Find something interesting that the model is wearing and use that in the pose. It might be a hat or headphone, or their phone, or their purse. Use the things around you to give a different look in the shot.

8. TAKE A FEW STEPS OR TURN

It's always good to add a step or two in the pose- it gives the model something to do and gives motion in the shot. As an added bonus- you get the links and the arms to do something productive.

9. HANDS OVER HEAD.

Having the hands over the head and shifting the weight to one side is more casual and playful. You might even get a good smile out of it. For guys- have them adjust their hat or their headphones or just put their hands through their hair.

10. DON'T MOVE THEM- MOVE YOU!

With out them even changing position- you can change the look of the entire picture by just squatting down or standing up on a stool. I like to walk side to side as well to get different angles. I can get over 400 different photos taken in an hours time because I am literally running around my clients and bending up and down!

All of these photos were all taken in a 6 foot by 6 foot box. All the lighting stayed the same. Imagine if you varied the background, went outside or even changed the lighting- how many combinations that you could come up with to change up the posing.

Christal Marshall is a mom of three, photographer, videographer, homeschooler and just a straight hustler. 

She started out in 2011 from a camera that she bought off of Amazon for $400 and taught herself photography, graphic design and videography through youtube. Now she shoots 100,000 images a year at over 60 events.

She was voted top 20 wedding photographers in VA in 2016 and 2018. She has been featured over 50 times in various different publications.

See more of her work: www.instagram.com/virginiaphotosandfilms www.facebook.com/virigniaphotosandfilms or www.virginiaphotosandfilms.com

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