How to Pose for Photos: 5 Easy Poses for Real People
Let’s be honest: most people aren’t models.
They don’t walk onto the set knowing what to do with their hands. They feel awkward and uncertain, and it shows in their photos.
If you're a photographer (or someone who dreads being in front of the camera), this guide is for you. I’ll show you 5 go-to poses that work on real people, no modeling experience required. These poses are flattering, natural, and confidence-boosting.
Whether you're prepping for a portrait session, personal branding shoot, or want to stop looking like a deer in headlights on Instagram, here’s how to pose for photos like a pro.
1. The “Soft Lean”
Best For: Headshots, personal branding, portraits
Have your subject shift their weight to one foot and gently lean toward the camera (not away from it). It softens the body language and makes them look more engaged and relaxed.
Pro Tip: Position your shoulders slightly forward. Chin out, then down. It feels weird, but it works.
2. The “One-Hand Rule”
Best For: Anyone who says “I don’t know what to do with my hands.”
Simple rule: One hand should always be doing something, in a pocket, resting on a hip, playing with jewelry, etc. The other hand can hang naturally or mirror the first.
Pro Tip: Pockets are your best friend. Just make sure they’re not shoved in deep. Thumb in, or light grip on the pocket edge.
3. The “Walking Into Frame”
Best For: Lifestyle shots, environmental portraits
Have them walk toward the camera. Not run. Just a slow, intentional walk like they’re on their way to tell you something important. It builds motion and confidence into the shot.
Pro Tip: Snap the photo mid-step, when one foot is forward and the arms are in motion. That’s your hero moment.
4. The “Over-the-Shoulder”
Best For: Editorial-style shots, glamour, Instagram content
Turn their body away from the camera and have them look back over their shoulder. This adds mystery, elegance, and shape, especially for people who are self-conscious about their midsection or front-facing shots.
Pro Tip: Keep the spine long and avoid scrunching the shoulder toward the ear. Confidence lives in the neck.
5. The “Chin Shelf”
Best For: Close-up portraits
Want a stronger jawline in one second? Ask your subject to gently press their tongue to the roof of their mouth and push their chin slightly forward and down. It carves the jawline and helps avoid the dreaded double chin, even if they don’t have one.
Pro Tip: Say, “Pretend you're resting your chin on a shelf just in front of you.” It clicks instantly.
The irony in this blog post is that none of the images are of real people; they were all made with AI. This is kind of perfect since most real people feel just as robotic in front of a camera anyway.