Psychological aspects of posing

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The psychological aspects of posing relate to putting a portrait sitter or non-professional model at ease, and by verbal direction, help them to establish the pose which the photographer is looking for in a natural way.

Generally speaking, most sitters are able to take direction more easily from the feet upwards, rather than from the head downwards. Therefore, most experienced portrait photographers tell the sitter how to stand or how to sit, even when the final image will not include the legs or body.

As the pose moves up the body, it becomes more important to generate thoughts and feelings in the sitter which naturally lead them into the pose. This is especially true with a smile!