Are you a professional photographer looking for some ideas for female poses? Or a newbie photographer and need some good ideas for female poses portrait photography? Or you have a camera and want to take portrait photos of your girlfriend/wife? Here is a collection of ideas you may look through.
If your shooting subject is female, check this posing cheat sheet. We covered here 35 best female poses for portrait photography for a modeling portfolio or a special occasion. Be aware of your model for a winning photo shoot. Make her feel comfortable and look gorgeous. It is the key point. If you are working with an inexperienced one, don’t hesitate to discuss with her. Find her comfort zone where she feels confident.
Now let’s move into the heart of the matter.
List of 35 Best Female Poses Ideas for Portrait Photography
We can divide it into four sections.
1. Standing Female Poses
2. Sitting Female Poses
3. Laying Female Poses
4. Female Poses With Accessories
Standing Female Poses
Stand Straight Poses
Stand straight is the easiest and a basic pose. Suitable for both indoor and outdoor shooting. Bent one leg slightly over the other. Create a smooth shape. Place the arms alongside or in any position between the neck and waist. Keep the shoulders straight. Look directly to the camera or look slightly beside. Create different shapes with the hand and the body.
Stand at a 45-degree Angle.
Stand at a 45-degree angle is a natural pose for females. Besides, stand straight, turn the body half sideways. Place one foot slightly front from the other. Take the bodyweight on the back leg. Put the hands-on hip or above the head or other comfortable position. In this pose, the model will look slim and tall.
Show ¾ of The Body
Show ¾ of the body is a standard pose to start. Turn the body in such a way that, ¾th part of it is visible to the camera. First, place one foot in front of the other. Then stand with the hips and roll the shoulders slightly toward the camera. Tuck the front knee. Bend elbow and put it on the waist. In this way, the waist looks smaller.
Hands on The Waist
Hands on the waist is a great starter pose. Hands-on, the hip reflects the women’s power and confidence. Here the body need not be square to the camera. Move on the shoulder ahead. Take the bodyweight on the back foot. Hold the waist with your hands. Look a little closer to the camera.
Hands on The Air Pose
Hands on the air is a dreamy pose. It expresses a feeling. If the light is minimal, it will create a quixotic effect. Stand square to the camera or pose like 3/4th. Raise the hands. Hold with one another. Eyes may be closed or may look at the sky. Be relaxed and natural.
Hands on The Pocket
Hands on the pocket is a casual standing pose. Perfect for a formal outfit model. Directly face toward the camera. Put the hands on the pocket. Stand like a confident young lady.
Hands in Hair Female Poses
Hands in hair pose is a quite common female pose. The model with long hair can play with her hair or fix it. Put both hands in the hair. Slightly look upward. Or put the hands in the hair and give a crazy look. This will make the photo more dramatic.
Look Over The Shoulder
Look over the shoulder is a backside portrait. It indicates a superior and confident feeling. It can be done in any lighting setup and location. Look from the back. Keep one hand in hair and the other in the waist or just straight. Look diagonally.
Lean Against a Wall
Lean against a wall is a casual female pose. Learn flat against a wall. Look slightly toward the camera or look away from it. Make a natural and emotional look like waiting for someone. Lightly touch the wall surface or hold the waist. Cross two legs or put one leg up to the wall.
The Easy and Comfy Pose
The easy and comfy pose is suitable for outdoor use. Pose like she is enjoying the autumn or winter breeze. Keep the arms crossed like hugging herself and eyes closed. Turn the face right or upward. Feel relaxed and natural.
Move Like Walking
Move like walking is a widespread lifestyle portrait photography pose. Ask your model to walk toward the camera. Look straight ahead or look down. Put one hand in the pocket or simply straight. Formal or casual, both outfits are suitable for it. Lock the focus to catch a sharp image.
Sitting Female Poses
Sit on a Chair
Sit on a chair is an effortless pose to start with. And, sit comfortably on a chair. Place knees together or put a leg top to the other. Put one hand on the knee and the other hand on the cheek or hair. In another pose, sit and place two hands between the legs. The arms should be slightly bent. Use different angles for a striking look.
Sit on The Floor Female Pose
Sit on the floor is an effective pose for studio photography. Very simple and easy. Just sit on the ground. Cross two legs. Hold one leg. Or place one hand on the floor. It will be better if the model is barefooted. Adding props will make the pose more elegant.
Sit on The Stairs
The sit on the stairs pose is a fantastic idea to highlight the model’s beautiful leg or high hill. Sit on a stair, keeping one leg at the lower step from the other. Put one hand on the cheek and the other at the knee or the stair. Keep the shoulders slightly angled. The head would be a little bit inclined.
Sit on a High Surface Pose
Sit on a high surface pose is for an outdoor photoshoot. Take the opportunity to shoot from a lower angle and above the eye level. Sit with legs crossed on a high surface. Hold the surface with two hands. Look away from a distant place. You can focus on the long leg or directly face.
Rest on a Slick Surface
Rest on a slick surface is a relaxed emotive portrait photography pose. Sit on a couch, divan, sofa, or any other comfortable surface. Rest the head on the one hand. Legs can straight or slightly bend. Look at the camera or distance. Shoot from the eye level or from marginally higher.
Rest on Hand
Rest on hand is a cute lovely pose. Sit on a chair, put the hands on the table. Rest the head on your hands. Look directly toward the camera. Give a cute smiley look. Take a horizontal portrait for this pose. A model with blonde hair will look gorgeous.
Lean Forward
Sit on a chair or bench. Keep the knees apart, place elbows v on the knees. Look straight into the camera. It gives a powerful and rugged look. For an innocent look, sit on the edge of the chair, lean forward, keep the knees and ankles together. Bend the torso over the thighs. Keep the face toward the camera.
Lean Back Female Poses
Sit on the ground. Lean slightly backward. Keep one leg straight and slightly bend the other. Rest the head at the back vertical surface. Hold the head with hands or place them on the ground. Play with various moods and experiment by changing hand and legs position.
Elbow on a Table
For minimalistic portrait photography, an elbow on a table is a perfect pose. Sit on a chair, put the elbow on the table, tilt the head toward the hand. Touch the cheek softly. Put one leg on the top of the other. Look at the camera from the side. Try to express a relaxed mood. Using props makes this pose more realistic. Use tea or coffee cup on the table or drink and some fruits.
Sit and Cross The Legs
The pose emphasizes the model’s attitude. Sit on the ground, cross the legs, keep one knee-high, hold the knee with hands. Keep the back straight and look directly at the camera. Sneakers are the best suit for this pose.
Bend the Knees
Bend the knees is suitable for a fragile look. Sit on a floor or a chair, bend the knees, hug it to the chest. Look down or side. Shot from more than a 45-degree angle.
Laying Female Poses
Laying on The Back
Lay flat on a bed, wooden surface, glossy floor, or nature. Look straight at the camera. Spread the cloth and hairs evenly. Select a point above the model and take a full-height photo. Focus on her eyes and face.
Laying on The Stomach
Laying on the stomach is an indoor portrait photography pose. Express a relaxed mood. Lay on the stomach in a bed or any soft surface. Left the legs up. Rest the chin in hand. Focus so that the face and hands are at the front and the body at a distance.
Laying on The Side
Laying on the side is the best indoor casual picture pose. Lay down on the side. Rest the head on the arm. Keep the legs straight. Look right at the camera. Make sure the clothing is correctly set.
Laying on The Floor Female Poses
Laying on the floor is pretty popular and the most straightforward pose. Lay on the floor, keep one hand straight on the floor. Rest the head on it. Touch the floor with another hand. Laying on the side of the stomach is okay. Do anything that looks relaxed. Capture it from her eye level.
Laying on Nature
Laying in the soft green grass is an excellent outdoor photoshoot idea. Lay on the back, touch the grasses softly, look at the camera from an angle. Make a relaxed and sleepy expression. Shoot from the top or at a 45-degree angle.
In The Bath
Posing in a bathtub is a creative idea. It can be a milk bath, bubble bath, or flower bath. Using props like flower petals, candles, and other details will make it more creative and luxurious. Use different focal lengths, modify natural light, use extra lightings, shoot from the top, or try a new angle.
Hide Under Cover
Use a blanket or cover as a prop. Lay in a bed on the stomach, cover up with the blanket, look through it. Can hold one corner of the blanket or rest the head on hand. Experiment with various facial expressions.
Female Poses With Accessories
Female Pose With Jewelry
Create an impressive portrait using jewelry. Use your model’s favorite jewelry like finger rings, necklace or earrings, etc. focus on that ornament. Models expression and environmental lighting are essential here for an elegant look.
Female Pose With Mirror
For creative photography with props, the mirror is best. Stand opposite of a mirror. It can be a wall mirror or a small hand mirror. Capture from a different angle. Focus manually on a sharp image. Can use artificial light, it will improve the subjects feature.
Female Poses With Umbrella
An umbrella is an excellent prop for outdoor photography. You can both use it on a rainy and sunny day. Try to use a big bright umbrella. Shoot from the top or angle. Clear umbrellas can be used coupled with fairy light. It will create a sparkling fairy look.
Pose With Sunglasses / Hat
Sunglasses and hats are very common props for a portrait photo. You can do a hundred poses with it. Put on it, hold it and look from a different angle. Be careful about the reflecting light from the glass.
Female Pose With Flowers
Flowers are the natural props. Can use a single flower or a bunch of flowers or simply beside a garden. Show off the flower, place it on the shoulder. A matching outfit with the color of the flower will be great. Either focus on the flower or blur it in front of the photo. Create some fun and playful poses.
Pose With a Book
Sit on a sofa comfortably. Take a noble or a poetry book. Turn the pages. Give a serious look at the book. Shoot from the front or side.
Final Thought on Female Poses
Hopefully, from the above 35 best female poses for portrait photography, you will find a couple of poses to start with. All the above, poses are simple initial poses, just like a starting point. You can create lots of variations with it. By changing head, hand, and legs position or from shooting from a different angle. All you need is a creative mind. So let’s start!
You may also read:
20 Best Male Poses Ideas For Portrait Photographers
15 Best Newborn Photography Ideas at Home
20 Memorable & Amazing Wedding Poses for Bride And Groom