Model Posing Lessons in Fashion Photography: Understanding Body Language

July 4, 2009

Not all language is verbal. While we generally rely on words spoken, there is much communicated through body language. You can determine whether someone is happy or sad, elated or frightened, excited or anxious just from the way they hold their body, move and gesture. A person’s age, health, state of mind and even character can be revealed through this complex but telling language. Body language can reveal the lies one person tells another or shows when someone is feeling defensive. It can show so much about a person – they are speaking volumes and they usually don’t even realize that they are saying anything.

No matter where you are, you are typically judged by your appearance. When people first see you, they immediately evaluate you based on what they see. What you say is pretty much secondary. Your stance, the way you hold your body, is what people pay attention to and what use as a basis to form their opinions of you.

One person can become several with just an adjustment in body language. They can become old or young just by the way they stand, walk and gesture. They can convey many different characters just from their body language. Differences in carriage and attitude, little details in the say they hold their head, straighten their shoulders, every nuance lends tell tale signs about the character they want to portray. Posing Model do this when they are on the runway or at a shoot. Actors do in on the stage and on the screen. Directors seek it in those they are guiding. It is a powerful tool for the prudent photographer who knows how to harness its power.

The torso and shoulders are major areas for conveying body language.

A character can come to life with just a few adjustments to how the body is held, particularly the shoulders. The character and mood are conveyed in this manner. The minimal effort required to shift the shoulders just so to convey a particular character can lend huge results in the emotional impact the can spring to life. It is the photographer’s job to direct the model posing so that they achieve the desired effect and assume the character that they have been assigned.

Neutral Shoulders
The “blank canvas” of body language, neutral shoulders have little expression and are a good starting point for assuming the assigned character.

Forward Shoulders
This position gives a feeling of sickness, shyness, weariness, weakness and a sense of being beaten down.

Low Shoulders
This stance is elegant and poised. The shoulders are low and straight. Based on the carriage of the head, they can convey sophistication or a casual attitude.

Back Shoulders
When giving the impression of pride, strength, courage and physical vitality, shoulders are held back and straight.

High Shoulders
This position conveys tension, strain or fear, but it may also show a lack of confidence or defensiveness.

When different positions are combined, more complex emotions are revealed.

Up and Forward Shoulders

This position emits an attitude that is playful, flirtatious, coquettish and kittenish.

Low and Forward Shoulders

Age is revealed in this pose, usually advanced age. It also gives a feeling of defection, weariness and discouragement.

The expressions the are derived of these shoulder movement combinations can be made more dramatic or more obscure, depending on movements themselves and if they are slight or great. It all depends on the role or character that the model is playing.

Torso Positions

The position of the torso can also portray mental attitudes, moods and depict a particular character. For instance, if a model is posing for camera and her hip track (a line from one hip joint to the other) is stationary, but her shoulder track (line from one shoulder to the other) is tipped to one side, the feeling may be that of curiosity, concern, interest or alertness. On the other hand, if the shoulder track is stationary and the hip track is tipped to the side, it may convey a more flirtatious nature or a casualness.

The overall composition of the shot, the positions of the various body parts in relation to the frame, can also create certain feelings. When people lean toward each other, there is a sense of friendliness or familiarity. The opposite is true for those who draw away from each other. No matter which direction the body if facing, the position of the parts of the body can make a definite difference. A key to excellent photography is learning how to interpret body language and how to use it to get the great shots you want.