How to hand poses

Susan Fernandez September 09 2022

A photoshoot may be boring if your poses are stiff and unnatural. So here are some ideas for more interesting hand poses to make your photos look great!

Hand poses for portrait photos

Here we will tell about some most common hand poses that may be easily remembered and done during the next photo shoot. In this article, we'll show you a few hand poses that appear natural, including how models hold their hands to draw attention to their faces or accentuate their bodies.

You'll also pick up some excellent hints when instructing people on how to utilize their hands while standing. When people see photos in which the subject's hands are posed awkwardly, it creates an unpleasant experience for the viewer. This is why it's essential to learn how to pose your hands naturally when taking photos.

Loose hands

The most straightforward way to achieve natural-looking hand poses is to let them hang loosely at your sides. This may not be the most interesting look for a photo, but it will give you a starting point. Once you're comfortable with this position, you can experiment with different hand gestures to add more personality to your shots.

Arigato

One easy way to make your hands look more dynamic is to clasp them together in front of you. This pose works well for both men and women and can be used for a variety of purposes. For instance, you can use it to draw attention to your face or chest. Alternatively, you can clasp your hands behind your back to create a more formal look or to accentuate your curves.

Touch body

Another way to add interest to your hand poses is to place them on your hips. This pose is often used by models and actresses on the red carpet as it makes the waist look smaller. If you're female, you can also try holding one hand above your head to create a more graceful look. For men, placing one hand in a pocket can give off a relaxed vibe. Don`t clasp your hands too tightly to your body as this will make you look uncomfortable.

Highlight chin and cheeks

When you're taking a photo, your hands can be used to draw attention to your best features. For instance, if you want to highlight your chin and cheeks, try placing one hand under your chin. If you want to accentuate your eyes, try looking over your shoulder and placing one hand near your face. One way to avoid having a tense or stiff-looking hand in your photo is to encourage some gentle movement. For example, you can place the right hand against the left cheek and then slowly slide it down as if caressing the cheek, stopping when your model reaches the chin.

Face between palms

Quite a cute pose for a photo is when the model holds her face between her palms. It makes the girl look gentle and fragile. The most important thing here is not to squeeze the face too tight to avoid making wrinkles.

One hand behind the head

This is a great way to show off your neck and jawline, as well as your cheekbones. It also has the added benefit of making you look taller. Your shoulders should be relaxed, and your chin should be tilted up slightly. You can also place one hand on your hip to create a more dramatic look.

Hands in pockets

This is a great pose for both men and women as it looks natural and effortless. It's perfect for when you want to give off a relaxed vibe. Just make sure that your shoulders are relaxed and that you don't stick your hands too far into your pockets. Don`t put the fingers too deep into the pocket, as it will "cut" your hands and make it look like you have small hands.

Fix sleeves

In case you think that this pose is only for men in suits, you are wrong! In fact, this is a great way to show off your favorite dress or shirt. Just make sure that your sleeves are not bunched up too much, as it will look sloppy. Also, make sure that your hands are not clasped too tightly to your body as this will make you look uncomfortable.

Play with hair

Many women use their hands to play with their hair when they're taking photos. This is a great way to add some movement to your shot and to draw attention to your face. Just make sure that you don't look like you're trying too hard. A few gentle tousle should suffice.

Wrap arms around the body

This is a great pose for when you want to accentuate your curves. It also has the added benefit of making you look taller. Just make sure that you don't wrap your arms too tightly around your body as this will make you look uncomfortable. You can also place one hand on your hip to create a more dramatic look.

Hold a cigarette/Chupa Chups

The first prop is very dramatic and is perfect for when you want to add some edge to your photos. The second one is more fun and playful, and is perfect for when you want to show off your personality. When holding a Chupa Chups, make sure that you don't look like you're trying too hard. A few gentle tousle should suffice.

Do's and don'ts of hand posing

Now that you know some of the most popular hand poses, it's time to learn how to do them correctly. Here are some do's and don'ts to keep in mind:

Do:

  • Relax your shoulders: the more relaxed your shoulders are, the better your posture will be.
  • Tilt your chin up slightly: this will help to accentuate your features.
  • Gently caress your cheek or neck: this will add some movement to your shot and make you look more natural.
  • Play with your hair: this is a great way to add some movement to your photo and to draw attention to your face.
  • Be as relaxed as possible: the more relaxed you are, the better your photo will turn out.
  • Use angles: when a hand is located directly in front of the camera, it will look flat. To avoid this, try to use different angles. For example, you can place your hands on your hips or behind your head. This will help to add some dimension to your shot.
  • Try different positions: don't be afraid to experiment with different hand poses.

Don't:

  • Clench your fists: this will make you look angry or tense.
  • Stick your hands in your pockets: this will make you look like you're trying too hard.
  • Look like you're trying too hard: sometimes the best photo is the photo that looks like it was taken without any effort. So just relax and have fun!
  • Wrap your arms too tightly around your body: this will make you look uncomfortable.
  • Let your shoulders be hunched forward: this will make you look like you're trying to hide.
  • Tilt your chin down: this will make you look like you're trying to avoid the camera.

These little rules will help you to create natural and effortless-looking hand poses in your photos. So, go ahead and experiment with different hand poses to find the ones that work best for you!

What do hands tell about your personality?

Psychologists suggest that our hands reveal much about our personalities. Our hand gestures can give clues to how we are feeling and what we are thinking.

For example, people who are feeling anxious or stressed tend to clasp their hands together tightly. This is a way of trying to control the situation and keep themselves calm. People who are feeling confident and self-assured tend to have their hands open and relaxed.

In photos, you can spot how hand poses change the personality of the model. In case you see a shy girl, she would probably clasp her hands in front of her, or hide them in her pockets. An extroverted girl would have her arms open wide, or one hand on her hip. A confident businessman may also put his hands in the pockets but the difference would be in the way he holds himself. His posture would be open and relaxed, while the shy girls would be closed off.

As for some unusual poses like interclosed fingers or having the hands behind the back, these may suggest that the person is hiding something or is not being completely honest.

So, in case you want to look different in your photos, hand poses are something you should definitely pay attention to!

 

Conclusion

Posing with your hands can really help to improve the overall look of your photos. So, next time you're taking a photo, make sure to experiment with different hand poses to find the ones that work best for you. And don't forget to have fun!