Whether preparing for professional headshots, a self-portrait, or photos with friends, you want to look and feel like the gorgeous model you are. It can be hard to decide which pose to use when there are so many different ones to choose from, especially if you want to get the right look for professional model headshots. Below are twenty-four model poses to help you shine in your next photo shoot.
Why Your Pose Matters?
Whether taking professional headshots or artistic self-portraits, you want to get your pose just right. Poses can convey confidence or insecurity, kindness or hostility. Whether you create your images using a professional photographer, our AI headshot generator Portrait Pal, or candids from your phone, how you choose to pose will help you send the message you want.
24 Stand-Out Poses for Females Ready to Make an Impact
Your headshots can show what a powerhouse you are as a female in any industry. Whether you’re creating powerful female headshots or shooting photos for your online magazine, getting your poses just right will help elevate them to that next professional level. Read on for 24 pose ideas to get you started.
1. Centered Head and Shoulders
This is a classic professional headshot pose that you probably first think of when discussing professional headshots in conversation. For this pose, you face the camera with your head and shoulders centered. It’s classic, traditional, and easy to accomplish.
2. Hands on Your Hips and Lean In
To help you accomplish this pose, put one foot in front of the other and then lean forward slightly. Comfortably place your hands on your hips and give a big smile. Leaning in comfortably, not too stiffly, with your hands on your hips can send a message of being approachable.
3. Head Tilt
Turn your body slightly sideways, with one shoulder more towards the camera than the other. Tilt your head slightly towards the shoulder closest to the camera. This sets a professional and inviting tone to your headshot, making you very appealing to potential employers and clients.
4. Laugh Out Loud
Give a genuine burst of laughter out loud while looking into the camera. This shows a fun side to your personality and conveys that you’re approachable and friendly. This pose may not work as well, depending on the strict professionalism of different industries, but if it’s a pose that works with your industry’s vibe, don’t be afraid to try it. This could be a great pose if you’re building a portfolio of acting headshots.
5. Sitting With Angled Shoulders
While sitting, have your body turned at an angle. Keep your arms and hands relaxed, and place your hands gently on each leg just above the knee. Sit up straight and smile. This angle will give depth to your photo, giving it a nice twist on a classic headshot.
6. Hold a Prop
You could hold your glasses casually in front of you in a sophisticated way or hold a book or a fountain pen. Props can be a fun addition to your headshots if they fit your industry vibe and don’t distract from you as the main focus of the photo.
7. Hand on Your Chin
For a more relaxed pose that’s still professional, you could face the camera head-on and sit and cross your legs, then place your elbow on the top leg and rest your chin in your hand. This causes you to lean in and look invested and interested in your photo. Add a fun personal touch by painting your nails if you want a pop of color on your hand, or wear a simple bracelet as an accessory.
8. Toss Your Hair
Want a headshot that showcases fun femininity? Do a hair toss! Look directly into the camera as you toss your hair and showcase your best genuine smile. This pose shows a fun side of you and sends a message of flexibility and approachability. It could also make a good headshot to add to an acting portfolio.
9. Confidence Over the Shoulder
Turn completely sideways with your shoulder facing the camera directly. Then, turn and look over that shoulder directly into the camera. This bold and confident pose shows you mean business but know how to have fun.
10. Wall Lean
If you like the over-the-shoulder pose but find it uncomfortable, try a wall lean instead. This is similar to over-the-shoulder, but you’ll have the added support of a wall behind you. Lean your back wholly against the wall. You can then look over your shoulder to the side closest to the camera without turning your head as far as with the over-the-shoulder pose. This would be a great pose to use with an outdoor background. Your arms comfortably crossed in front of you will complete this look of confidence.
11. Lean Over the Back of a Chair
If you have access to a comfortable, soft, low-back chair, you could sit sideways and lean over the back of the chair with one arm leaning over and your armpit comfortable resting on the top of the chair, bring the forearm of that arm up to rest against the back of the chair and let your hand rest comfortably on the top of the chair. Let the forearm of your opposite arm rest on top of the fingers of that hand, and let your hand rest gently on the wrist of the hand beneath it.
12. Arm on the Back of the Chair
Sit comfortably in a chair with a low back. Have the chair angled so that the front is going away from the camera and the back is coming towards it. Face your body almost straight at the camera, but turn slightly so that the shoulder nearest the back of the chair is closer to the camera. Place the arm nearest the back of the chair comfortably on top of it. Let your hand sit relaxed, dropping downwards.
If you want a more zoomed-out shot, cross your leg closest to the camera over the leg in the back and rest your other arm on that leg with your hand comfortably pointing downwards.
13. Arms Crossed
Try the traditional arms-crossed pose if you want a bold, confident look. Turn your body slightly and comfortably cross your arms, hold your head high, and give a confident but daring smile. This pose shows you mean business and are confident in your capabilities.
14. Give a Side Profile
Place your body at an angle to the camera so your shoulders are facing away from the camera. Putting one foot slightly in front of the other can help make this pose feel more natural and relaxed. Then, look directly at the camera. Keep your arms relaxed at your side. The side profile will add depth to your photo, just like the sitting angled shoulders pose. This pose can also help you look confident and sure of yourself.
15. Arm of the Chair
Utilizing a chair is a great way to get comfortable headshots. In this pose, you can rest one arm on the arm of the chair, place your whole forearm on it, and let your hand hang down over the front edge. Have the chair angled about 45 degrees so that the arm of the chair your arm is resting on is closest to the camera.
If you’d like, you can put your other hand around the edge of the front of the arm of the chair before letting the hand from the arm resting on the chair hang down on top of it. Tilt your head slightly towards your arm resting on the chair. This pose is excellent for a father-away shot to showcase your confident hand placement, but you could also do a close-up shot.
16. Full Body, Hands on Hips and Legs Crossed
Stand confidently with one shoulder angled slightly away from the camera. Place your hands on your hips comfortably with your elbows pointing out. Cross your legs at the knees and have the foot of the leg in front be stepped slightly more forward than the foot in the back. Look directly at the camera, but keep one shoulder angled slightly away from the camera.
17. Lost in Thought
Instead of staring directly into the camera lens, look just to the side of it and focus on something else. Have a thoughtful expression, even a peaceful one, on your face. Try to be candid with it and really get lost in thought for a few clicks of the photography session.
18. Arm of the Couch
Rest your arm closest to the back of the couch along the arm of the couch, and let your fingers hang slightly over the edge. Cross your other arm over your body with the side of your forearm resting on the arm on the couch, and wrap your hand around your upper arm, with your fingers between the upper arm and the back of the sofa. Look directly into the camera. This pose gives a relaxed yet professional vibe.
19. Side Profile With Cheek on Hand
If you want a more relaxed side profile headshot, try resting one cheek on your hand. To do this. Turn sideways and rest the elbow of your arm farthest from the camera on a table, desk, or the top leg of your crossed legs. Put your hand into a cupped position and rest your cheek on your fingers. Have your head turned so that you’re looking directly into the camera. The arm closest to the camera can come up, slightly bent at the elbow, with your forearm resting on the table, desk, or leg, and the wrist of the front arm rests directly in front of the elbow of the back arm.
20. One Hand on Hip
You could go for one hand on the hip for a fun and slightly sassy look. Angle one shoulder away from the camera. Place your hand on your hip closest to the camera. Tilt your head slightly towards the shoulder closest to the camera and give your best smile.
21. Side Wall Lean
Instead of leaning against a wall with your entire back, you could lean one shoulder against the wall and cross your arms in front of you. Keep your head straight, not tilted towards the shoulder on the wall, and look directly into the camera. If you want a full-body shot, cross your legs for a classy yet comfortable look.
22. Hand on Your Neck Model Shot
For a timeless model shot, comfortably place one hand on your neck with your fingers wrapped around the back. Tilt your shoulder on the same side as this hand slightly downward, but keep your head straight on with the camera. This is an excellent pose for a close-up shot.
23. Hands in Your Pockets
This pose looks excellent when you’re wearing a blazer and some slacks. You can put your hands in your pockets but leave your thumbs out. Stand with your legs apart and step one foot slightly forward. Keep your head and shoulders straight towards the camera.
24. Classy Walk With One Hand in Your Pocket
To piggyback off of pose 24, try doing a cool walk in your blazer and slacks with one hand on one pocket and the other casually at your side. This pose would work great with an outdoor background. You can do this pose as a full-body shot or take a traditional headshot from the shoulders up. Your walking motion can add a feeling of movement and progress forward in your headshot.
Can’t Decide Which Poses to Use? Let an AI Generator Help
This is an extensive list of powerful poses. It can be hard to narrow them down to your favorites. Sometimes, it’s also hard to find poses you feel comfortable doing that look natural in your photos. We want to get photos right because they can make a lasting impression, especially essential photos like professional headshots.
If you find the process of deciding poses difficult, take advantage of an AI headshot generator deciding for you. If you have a general idea of poses, you can include them in a prompt you write for the generator and then let AI do the rest of the work to help you create realistic headshots with empowering poses. Portrait Pal has three fantastic packages to choose from to get you started.
Whether you want a classic head and shoulders headshot pose or a classy walk with one hand in your pocket, these 24 empowering poses will ensure you have the best photos.