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Ever look directly in a camera as your picture is being taken and completely FREEZE? Your hands are stiff, your legs won’t move and you feel completely awkward?

I’ve been there done that. I’ve been the subject of many Instagram photoshoots over the past couple of years. And let me tell you, in the beginning, I had NO IDEA how to pose. But I’ve learned lots of tricks and tips along the way to change up my poses for pictures.

I want to share with you easy and cute poses for pictures that will make you feel more confident, give you new ideas for your next photoshoot with friends and differentiate you from the crowd. So let’s get into the list.

Related: Sitting Poses for Photos: How to Pose Sitting Down

Best Poses for Pictures

1. Walk Toward the Camera

Before we begin, I have to mention that these poses might feel weird, but trust me you are going to look amazing. My favorite go-to pose is walking toward the camera. In fact, many professional models will do this on photoshoots because it looks so natural.

This pose is an easy one to remember, and usually, if I am out of ideas walking toward the camera always works!

Why I love this Pose: Walking toward the camera offers movement to your photo. It also creates a beautiful angle with your body. Your leg will cross over your other leg offering a slimming effect.

Tip: Even if you don’t have a lot of room, you can still walk in place to get that natural movement effect.

2. Crossing Arms Pose

Crossing your arms is an easy pose, especially when you have no props on hand. I like to either close up my body and have my feet next to each other, or I like to make it feel more relaxed by having a wider stance.

Why I love this pose: This pose can offer an edgy look. Typically crossing your arms can look closed off, but adding a smile and a tilt to your face will make it look more playful.

Tips:

Don’t lock your arms tight to your body. Instead, lightly touch your arms so it looks more open.
I like to raise one shoulder while lightly crossing my arms to add more of an angle.
And if I am feeling playful, I’ll raise one arm and tilt my head.

3. Hand on Hip Pose

Another easy go-to pose is putting your hand on the hip. It’s perfect if you don’t have any props or objects to work with, plus there are so many variations on this pose.

Why I love it: This hand on hip pose creates angles with your body which adds interest!

Tips For This Pose:

Don’t use so much force when putting your hand on your hip. Your movement should always be light.
Tilt your upper body forward and raise your shoulder. This will add even more of an angle to your photo.

Make use of your hands and arms. Always keep them moving to avoid looking stiff

4. Twirl Pose

Who doesn’t love a twirl? Firstly, Twirling in photos is a lot of fun, but it offers a unique kind of movement to your photo.

Be sure to relax your face as you twirl. I’ve had a lot of bad photos doing this as I was smiling and laughing so hard.

Tip: I find this pose only works if you are wearing a flowy dress or skirt. Twirling in pants won’t have the same effect as wearing a flowy skirt.

5. Add a Prop

Adding props is my favorite way to spice up any photoshoot. Before adding props, I like to think about my location and season. If it’s summer, adding ice cream is a perfect match. If I’m in NYC, I like to add in an iconic NYC Pretzel, etc.

Take your location and brainstorm what prob would blend with your photoshoot.

Why I love it: Props allow your hands to use an object to make a photo more interesting and tell a story.

Favorite Props for Photos:

Coffee Cup
Ice Crem Cone
Pretzel
Bouquet of Flowers
Book/ Newspaper
Clothing Accessory: Hat, Bag
Clothing item: Skirt, jacket, use those pockets!
Seasonal Items: Seashells, Coconut, Fall Leaves, Snow, Umbrella

Just be sure that your prop blends well with your photo. For example, would you really be holding a coffee cup at night? Just make sure your prop makes sense.

Props spice up your photoshoot, and make for a more compelling story. Once I used a menu from a restaurant and posed like it was my purse!

6. Look Back at the Camera

Look Back at it, Look back at it. (I hope you get the reference) Looking back at the camera offers a playful pose and a different angle.

Tip: Because looking back offers a playful pose, I like to smile in this type of photo as if I am surprised that someone is behind me.

Another tip would be to angle your body to the side when looking back. If you don’t angle your body to the side your neck will have to do a lot of turning, and that will make the photo look awkward.

Always be aware of your face. Keep your face relaxed when posing. This will make you look more naturual.

7. Dining Poses

Going out to coffee, brunch, or dinner at a restaurant? Why not make a photoshoot out of it. Taking a photo in a restaurant offers a fun new pose for your pictures (plus you can eat and drink, and I am here for that).

My go-to dining poses are sitting at the table, holding a drink. Or I like to get into it and hold up food items. In this case, I was holding up squid ink black pasta!

Tips for Dining Poses:

Wait until your food and drinks arrive at the table. That brings the color and texture to the photo, and no one wants to see an empty boring table.
Resist the urge to eat once the food arrives. (This is easier said than done) But, you’ll want the plating of the food to be perfect once the food arrives.
Try to order colorful items on the menu. In my example, I ordered a pink cocktail to add some brightness to the photo.
Try to shoot in natural light. Opt for a table outside, or if going to dinner be sure to be seated early before sunset to capture as much light as possible.
Visit at strange times. The fewer people in the restaurant will give you a better chance at a nicer table, plus you’ll be able to stand up and take photos without bothering other guests.

8. Leaning Poses

Standing in the middle of open space is definitely more challenging because you have to add interest to yourself. AKA: poses with your hands.

However, if your location has a railing/ ledge, use that to your advantage. Always think of how can you interact with your surroundings.

Why I love it: Leaning on a ledge makes your pose feel very natural and relaxed. Some of my favorite photos are of me leaning because it just looks so effortless!

You can either lean against something, or on something.

Always think of how you can interact with your surroundings.

9. Sitting Down Poses

Whether you are crouching or sitting on your bum, this offers a completely different pose from standing up. There are plenty of different poses you can do while sitting down, but some of my go-to poses for sitting down are:

Crouching
Sitting with Back toward Camera. Add some peace fingers for an extra touch
Casual sitting pose on an angle

Related: Sitting Poses for Photos: How to Pose Sitting Down

10. Flip Your Dress

Flipping your dress is an easy pose to make your photo stand out! This will add movement to your photo and make it feel more whimsical.

Tip: In addition to flipping your dress, I also like to flip my hair in the wind to add a similar effect.

11. Throw Something

Time to get wild and throw something in the air. Just be careful to not hurt your photographer in the process!

Why I love it: Throwing something makes the picture come to life, and gives your photo some depth You can throw seasonal things like snow, leaves, or water droplets!

Tip: Put your camera in high-speed continuous mode or your phone in burst mode. This way you can catch the best moment without too much re-shooting.

12. Side Angle

Get your side angle on! This is a great way to create angles with your body! I like to make it more playful by placing my hands near my face to add interest

Why I love it: This is a super easy pose that looks different than just standing forward. You also don’t have to face the camera all the time. Just looking out creates a beautiful image as well.

Tip: Angle your head toward the camera while lifting your shoulder creates a playful look. Also, putting your hands near your face adds interest.

How Can I Look Better in Photos?

Practice in Mirror: Practice makes perfect. I like to practice in the outfit I will be wearing in a mirror before shooting so I can see what poses will work.
Find your angle. 75% of the time I am posing on my right side of my face. I find this is my best angle, and I work with it.
Always angle your body diagonally from the camera
Makes shapes with your body
Use your hand to frame your face
Stand on tippy toes to make your legs look longer
Always be in motion so the photographer can catch candid moments
Try New Things & Have Fun!

Hope you found some new poses for pictures you can try in your next photoshoot! Tag me on Instagram with your poses!