While I was in Manhattan I had the super honor to meet and hang out with one my favorite internet gals pals, @yourtruelymelly, for the first time.  As part of our big city shenanigans, we did a mini shoot on the roof of my building in midtown Manhattan. Melly was not accustomed to having someone else take her picture, so here are some tips I gave her on how to pose confidently  when you can’t see what the photographer is capturing on the other side of the lens.

Let the Outfit Inspire You

One tip I always give is to think about what type of you the outfit is made for. So for example when wearing a fancy frock, you might feel fierce. When wearing lounge clothes you might feel cool and relaxed. Think about how the outfit makes you feel and try to channel that into how your body moves in front of the camera.

Accentuate Your Assets.

The easiest way to learn about your body is to begin to think about what you want to accentuate. For example, if I want you to focus on my booty, I am going push that towards the camera more so it’s emphasized in the picture. You can minimize a feature in the opposite way- by pulling it away from the camera. Before shooting think about what focus of the outfit is, and make sure you are emphasizing it and diminishing anything that my distract from that focus.

Take up Space.

It’s weird as women we’re often encouraged to not take up space, but in photography space is essential. Creating space ads visual interest and often during shoots can create unique interesting perspectives. Dancing can loosen the body allowing you to be more playful in the photos and create natural additions of space.  In general, don’t be afraid of taking up more room in an image; it’s your frame you should own it all.

Find Your Light.

More often then not, catching the light on your face will produce a more beautiful and complementary photo then your face in the shadow. This simple difference- good lighting versus meh lighting- is often the difference between a camera throw away and one you frame.  Your photographer will often guide you to the light. However,  if you are self- shooting, take time to walk in a 360 degree circle taking selfies. You’ll quickly see the angle with the best light and in time you’ll be able to recognize with out that little trick.

Be You.

Lastly, the more you allow your own personality to come through in a photo the better it will be. If you focus too much on the nuances, you lose the spirit. And the spirit is what a makes a photo great.

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