Fashion poses: easy and classy

Susan Fernandez September 09 2022

No matter whether you are a model, a photographer, or just want to take some new photos for your profile pic. And we know how hard it may be sometimes to find the right pose. Especially, if you don't want to look like everybody else. We've gathered fashion poses that will make you look amazing in any picture!

What fashion poses should models know?

There are some classic, top-notch poses that will never go out of style and should be in every model's arsenal. Here they are:

The T-Pose

This is probably the most popular pose in fashion photography. You just need to stand with your feet together and your arms raised slightly above your head, forming a "T" shape. This pose looks great in almost any outfit and flatters any body type.

The Superman Pose

For this pose, you need to lie on your stomach with your arms stretched out in front of you. It may not look very comfortable, but it definitely looks good in photos! This pose is perfect for showing off long legs and a slim figure.

The Vogue Pose

This is a classic fashion runway pose that is also often used in fashion photography. To do it, you need to stand with one leg crossed in front of the other and your arms extended out to the sides. This pose is very elegant and shows off your curves perfectly.

The Glamour Pose

This pose is perfect for showing off your best assets! To do it, you simply need to put one hand on your hip and tilt your head to the side. This pose looks great in dresses and skirts.

The above are just some basic poses that every model should know. Of course, there are endless possibilities when it comes to posing, and it really depends on your own individual style and what you are trying to achieve with your photos. But these classic poses are a great starting point for anyone who wants to up their modeling game!

Standing poses

When you have to be stable still and smile at the same time it can be hard to keep a natural look. Here are some tips on how to stand and what kind of standing poses you can do.

Posing with your weight on one leg:

This is a great way to avoid looking stiff in photos. To do this, simply shift your weight onto one leg and bend the other at the knee. You can also put your hands on your hips or extend them out to the sides to help balance yourself.

Leaning against a wall:

If you're tired of standing up straight all the time, try leaning against a wall for a more relaxed look. This pose also helps to accentuate your curves. To do it, simply lean one shoulder against the wall and tilt your head to the opposite side. You can also put one hand on the wall for support.

One leg up:

This pose is pretty popular among fashion bloggers and Instagrammers. To do it, simply put one leg up on a stool or chair and lean your body weight onto that leg. This pose looks great in skirts and dresses!

Sitting poses

Sitting down is a great way to change up your photos and can be more flattering than standing poses, especially if you're not used to modeling. Here are some tips on how to pose while sitting down.

The "vixen" pose:

This is a sultry sitting pose that is perfect for showing off your curves. To do it, simply sit with one leg extended out to the side and the other bent at the knee. Then, lean back and put one hand behind your head. This pose looks great in skirts and dresses.

The classic sitting pose:

This is a more traditional sitting pose that is often seen in portraits. To do it, simply sit with your legs crossed and your hands resting on your lap. It may look quite symmetrical and aesthetic.

The 90-degrees pose:

This is a great pose for showing off your legs. To do it, simply sit with one leg extended out to the side and the other bent at the knee at a 90-degree angle. This fashion pose shows off your profile and would look great with a sharp light.

The knees to the chin pose:

This is a great pose for showing off your curves. To do it, simply sit with your legs crossed and bring your knees up to your chest. This is a very innocent pose, though you may use it to advertise shoes or something.

Lying poses

Sometimes models have a beach photoshoot or they need to show off a product while they are lying down. Here are some tips on how to pose while lying down.

The classic "pin-up" pose:

This is a very sultry and suggestive pose that is often seen in pin-up girls. To do it, simply lie on your back with one leg extended out to the side and the other bent at the knee. Then, put your hands behind your head and arch your back slightly. This pose is one of the oldest fashion poses!

The "I'm so comfortable" pose:

This is a great way to show off your curves while also looking relaxed and comfortable. To do it, simply lie on your side with one leg extended out straight and the other bent at the knee. You can also put your head in your hand or extend your arm out to the side.

A look from the back:

You can lie down on your stomach and put your head up or you can put your head down and look back at the camera. Either way, this is a great way to show off your curves.

Dynamic poses

Most magazines use dynamic and interesting poses to show off the clothes in a more editorial way. Here are some tips on how to do dynamic poses.

The "walking" pose:

This is a great way to show off your legs and shoes. To do this fashion pose, simply put one foot in front of the other and lean your body weight onto your back leg. Then, swing your arms back and forth as you walk

The "twirling" pose:

This is a fun and flirty pose that is perfect for showing off your curves. To do it, simply start twirling around and then stop abruptly. It would look great only if the theme of your photoshoot is fun and flirty.

The "jumping" pose:

This is a great way to show off your energy and vitality. To do it, simply jump up in the air and then land on your feet. In most cases, this pose is used for action shots or advertisements.

Couple poses

If you are a pair of models or if you are modeling with a friend, here are some tips on how to pose with someone else.

The "prom" pose:

This is a very classic and romantic pose that is often seen in prom photos. To do it, simply stand next to each other and put your arms around each other's waist. Then, look into each other's eyes and smile.

The "hugging" pose:

This is a great way to show off your affection for each other. To do it, simply hug each other tightly and let your body mold into each other. You can also rest your chin on the other person's shoulder.

The "walking" pose:

Classic and never failing, this fashion pose would be perfect to show off a new set of clothes or shoes. To do it, simply put your arms around each other's waist and walk forward. It would be best if the background is clean and simple.

How to pose like a model?

Many people think that models just stand there and look pretty. That's only partially true. A big part of being a model is knowing how to pose. Posing is an art form, and it takes a lot of practice to get it right.

Here are some tips on how to pose like a model:

  1. Stand up straight. This may seem like a no-brainer, but you'd be surprised how many people don't do it. Good posture makes you look taller, thinner, and more confident.
  2. Tilt your chin down slightly. This will help elongate your neck and make you look more graceful.
  3. Put one hand on your hip. This classic pose is flattering for almost everyone. It makes your waist look smaller and gives you a more hourglass-shaped figure.
  4. Relax your shoulders. This will help you avoid looking stiff and uncomfortable.
  5. Arch your back ever so slightly. This will give you better posture and make your chest look bigger.
  6. Put one foot in front of the other. This will help you avoid looking like a mannequin. It also makes your legs look longer and leaner.
  7. Play around with different poses until you find ones that work for you. There is no single "right" way to pose. Ultimately, it's up to you to experiment and find what looks best on camera. 
  8. Have fun! Posing can be a lot of fun once you get the hang of it. Don't take yourself too seriously and have fun with it.

How do models pose face?

A good question that not a lot of people think to ask. The answer is they use what’s called a “control shot.”

What that means is the model will take a photo of themselves making different faces, and then they’ll go through and pick the best one to use as their main photo. Models have to do this because their job is to sell clothes and products, and the way they look in photos is a big part of that.

So it’s important for them to have control over how they look in photos, and that means choosing the right pose and facial expression. Most fashion poses are really uncomfortable, so it takes a lot of practice to get them right.

Here are some tips on how to pose your face like a model:

  • Relax your face. This may seem counterintuitive, but relaxing your face is actually the key to a good control shot. If you look too tense, it will show in the photo. So take a deep breath and try to relax your facial muscles.
  • Try different expressions. It's important to experiment with different expressions until you find one that looks natural and flattering on camera. Don't be afraid to make silly faces - sometimes the best photos are the ones where you're not taking yourself too seriously.
  • Use props. Sometimes props can help you achieve the perfect facial expression. For example, if you're selling a product that's supposed to be fun, you might want to hold up a balloon or a toy in your control shot.
  • Practice, practice, practice. Like anything else, posing is a skill that takes time and practice to perfect. So don't get discouraged if you don't get it right the first time. Keep at it and eventually, you'll find the perfect facial expression for your photos.