How to pose a portrait: 54 creative ideas

2. Seated portraits

To get the most out of your portrait subjects, you need to learn to connect with them as you shoot. Building up rapport with people is one of the quickest ways to get the best poses and expressions out of them – and it will transform simple snaps into portraits like the professionals. But don't expect to get top shots straight away. It will take a while for you to get your eye in and for your model to settle into the shoot. So don't be disappointed if the first few shots aren't that strong. Build up slowly, relax, take your time, and remember to have fun and to keep the mood upbeat. Offer clear feedback for how you want your model to position themselves, showing them your shots on your LCD as you shoot, and you'll soon get the results you're after.

Seated portraits