Here are some of my key elements of posing. I do a lot of pre-planning and communication before each session to help ensure a great experience and help with posing. The more I do before I even pick up my camera, the better the session always is. If you follow the tips below, your poses and sessions will be much more successful.

Make sure to refer to this list before each session and use the Kickass Posing App to see great examples and descriptions of these elements in action.

1. Comfort: The most important aspect of posing high school seniors is ensuring they feel comfortable and relaxed. This will help them look natural and genuine in their photos. Here are a few tips to help make the experience as enjoyable as possible for the senior:

• Communicate clearly and be open to their ideas: Before the session, make sure to communicate clearly with the senior about the goals of the session, and the types of images you want to capture. Encourage them to share any ideas or poses they want to try, this will make them feel more in control and less nervous.
• Create a relaxed atmosphere: During the session, make sure to create a relaxed atmosphere by being friendly and easy-going. Encourage the senior to be themselves and have fun with the session.
• Give them direction but not too much: While it's important to guide the senior through the session, avoid giving too many pose or expression directions. Instead, give them a general idea of what you're looking for, and then let them naturally assume the pose.
• Take breaks: Remember that photography sessions can be tiring, especially for high school seniors who may be self-conscious or nervous. Be sure to take breaks throughout the session to give the senior a chance to relax and catch their breath. I like to stop at a convenience store and buy them snacks and drinks midway through the session.
• Be positive and encouraging: Finally, be positive and encouraging throughout the session. Give them positive feedback on their poses and expressions, this will help them to relax and feel good about themselves.

2. Confidence: Encouraging confidence during a senior photography session is crucial for capturing natural and relaxed images. This can help them feel more comfortable and project a sense of self-assurance in their photos. Here are a few tips to help boost the senior's confidence during the session:

• Build rapport and establish trust: Before the session, take the time to get to know the senior and build rapport with them. This can be done through casual conversation or by showing interest in their hobbies and interests. Establishing trust will make them feel more comfortable and relaxed during the session.

• Help them to feel good about themselves: Compliment their appearance, but make sure to be genuine. If they are self-conscious about certain features, try to find ways to make them feel good about them. For example, if they are self-conscious about their nose, suggest poses that are more side-on rather than full-on.

• Give them control: Give the senior some control over the session by allowing them to choose their own poses or clothing. This will help them to feel more in control and less nervous.

• Show them the images: As you take photos during the session, show them some of the images on the camera's screen. This allows them to see how great they look, and it helps them to understand how to pose and how the final image will look like.

• Be positive and encouraging: Throughout the session, be positive and encouraging. Give them positive feedback on their poses and expressions, and remind them that you are there to help them look their best.

3. Personal Expression: Encourage your seniors to show their personality and unique style through their poses. This can help make their photos more authentic and memorable.

• Be open to their ideas: Encourage the senior to share their own ideas for poses, locations, and concepts for the session. This will help to ensure that the images reflect their individual style and personality.

• Allow your subjects to walk, run, jump, or spin in place to have a more relaxed pose and capture their true expressions, rather than pose each shot with complete control.

• Be creative: Be open to trying new and creative ideas during the session. This could be playing with different poses, trying different backdrops, or experimenting with different camera settings or lighting. I end all of my sessions with something I have never done before to push creativity and bring out true expressions in my seniors.

• Incorporate their interests: Incorporate the senior's interests into the session. See using props below.

4. Flattering Angles: Pay attention to the angles at which you photograph your seniors. This can help them look more flattering and avoid awkward or unflattering poses.

• Use a slight upward angle: Shooting from a slight upward angle can help to elongate the subject's neck and jawline, making them appear more slender and elegant.

• Use a very low angle: Shooting from a very low angle can create a very powerful image that is great for athletes but not always the most flattering, so I mostly only use this for sports images or one super creative image.

• Use a slight downward angle: Shooting from a slight downward angle can help to create a more dramatic and powerful image. This angle can also be used to minimize any double chin and bring attention to your subject's eyes. Crop tight, and it will be one of those images you sell for every session.

• Distance to the camera: When posing your subject, remember that the body parts closest to the camera will appear larger. To avoid disproportionate images, make sure the face is closest to the camera and not the hands or feet, which could appear unnaturally large.
• Private Areas: When posing your subject, 

• Avoid shooting from a straight-on angle: Shooting straight-on can create a flat and uninteresting image. Instead, try shooting from a slight angle to add depth and interest to the image.

• Use side lighting: Lighting the subject from the side can create interesting shadows and highlights that can enhance their features and add dimension to the image.

• Use the rule of thirds: Use the rule of thirds to compose your image in a way that is visually pleasing, and that highlights the subject's best features.

• Use a "Body Block": A body block is a technique in which you place an object in front of the subject to bring attention to mostly the face. This could be as simple as some flowers or grass in the foreground or having your subject behind a doorway or structural element, and mainly just their head or upper body is revealed to the camera.

• Photograph their best side: Ask your subject if they prefer a particular side to be photographed. If they aren't sure, ask them which side they usually sleep on; their better side will likely be the opposite side. When asking for a person's best side, be polite and respectful in your approach. Avoid making any negative comments about their appearance and focus on the positive.

5. Leading Lines: Use leading lines to guide the viewer's eye through the image and towards the subject.

• One common way to use leading lines in posing is to have the subject position their body along a diagonal line within the frame. This can create a sense of movement and direction in the image and guide the viewer's eye toward the subject.
• Another way to use leading lines in posing is to use the subject's limbs to create lines that lead the viewer's eye to the subject. For example, having the subject point their arm towards the camera or having them stand in front of a wall with lines that point towards them.

6. Facial Expression/Story Telling: Encourage your seniors to show a variety of facial expressions in their poses, from happy and playful to serious and contemplative, make sure the expression matches the story you are telling in the image.

• Start with a concept: Before you take every shot, think about the story you want to tell with your portrait. What message do you want to convey? What emotions do you want to elicit from your viewers?
• Use body language: Pay attention to how you pose your subject for the story you are trying to tell. For example, crossed arms can indicate a powerful posture, which can be great for an edgy sports image. In contrast, arms open and up can signal openness and vulnerability for a light-hearted, natural pose. Along those lines, it's usually best not to have your subject smiling for a dramatic sports image, as it doesn't match the story you are trying to tell. The same goes for a super fashion-forward pose. Keep the happy, smiling expression for headshots and spontaneous images.
• Use lighting: Lighting can be a powerful tool in portrait photography. Make sure the different lighting setups match the expression and story. Use lighting to create different moods and atmospheres in your images.
• Use color: Color can be a powerful element. Think about how the colors in your photograph can contribute to the overall mood and atmosphere of the image. Use complementary colors between the subject's clothing and the background you choose to enhance the color harmony of your images. Use color to evoke drama in your images to help tell your story.

7. Varying Poses: Mix up the poses you use to keep things interesting and to showcase your seniors in a variety of settings and poses. Make sure to check out the Kickass Posing App included in this course to help you vary your poses.

• Use different body positions: Try using different body positions, such as standing, sitting, or lying down, to create a variety of poses. You can also try different poses such as leaning against a wall, sitting on a bench, or crouching on the ground.

• Use movement: Incorporating movement into the poses can add energy and dynamism to the images. For example, you could have the subject walk, jump or even dance during the session

8. Use props: Props can add interest and variety to your photos. Encourage your seniors to bring along any props that are meaningful to them or that reflect their interests and hobbies. Here are a few ideas on using props in a session:

• Incorporate them into the theme of the session: Use props that are relevant to the theme of the session, such as musical instruments for a musician's portrait or sports equipment for an athlete's portrait. This can help to add depth and meaning to the images.

• Use them to create interest: Use props to create interest and juxtaposition in the image, such as having your senior wear an elegant dress, have them hold a basketball, and pose them in a grungy alley.

• Use them to create a sense of context: Use props to create a sense of context for the images. For example, incorporating a book or a pen into a portrait of a student can help to convey their academic interests.

• Use them to create movement and energy: Use props to create movement and energy in the images. For example, incorporating a scarf or a piece of fabric can be used to add movement to an image.

• Use them to add humor or playfulness: Use props to add a touch of humor or playfulness to the images. For example, incorporating a giant lollipop or a funny hat can add a playful element to an image.

• It's essential to remember not to overload the image with too many props and always consider the composition and balance, making sure the props enhance the image and not overpower it. Using props thoughtfully and creatively can add an extra layer of interest and meaning to your images.

10. Experiment: Don't be afraid to try out new poses and techniques. Encourage your seniors to be creative and have fun with their poses. Here are a few creative ideas to try:

• Experiment with different angles and perspectives: Try shooting from different angles and perspectives to create a more dynamic image.

• Wide-angle lens: Try shooting unique angles using a wide-angle lens. I prefer a 24mm for this, but I have also used a fisheye lens for a really dramatic effect. I usually shoot low; I'm lying on the ground and have the subject's prop, foot, or arm a few inches from the lens. This helps to keep their head in the center of the frame so they aren't too distorted.

• Play with composition: Experiment with different composition techniques, such as the rule of thirds or diagonal lines to create a more dynamic image.

• Use props and backdrops: Incorporate non-typical props and backdrops into your session to add depth and interest to your images.

• Take risks: Don't be afraid to try new things and take risks. Sometimes the best images come from taking a chance and trying something different.

• Edit your images: The post-processing stage is also a great opportunity to be creative. Experiment with different editing techniques such as color grading, cropping, and layering to create a unique and visually interesting final image.

Keep in mind that all of these points are key elements of posing to flatter your subjects and ensure a great experience with you. Any or all of these elements can be broken for creative expression. One of my favorite quotes, “Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.” by Pablo Picasso

The law of twos in photography is a posing technique that helps create dynamic and visually interesting images by using the concept of balance and asymmetry. The technique is based on the idea that by positioning the subject's body in a specific way, it can create a sense of movement and energy in the image.

The law of twos states that when posing a subject, you should place any body part that they have two of on different angles or levels. This creates a sense of imbalance and movement in the image. For example, if the subject is facing forward, you could have them place one foot up on a step, while the other is down. This creates a sense of movement and direction in the image.

Another example is having the subject tilt their head to one side while their body is facing forward. This puts the eyes on a diagonal for added interest.

It's important to note that the law of twos is not a strict rule, but rather a guideline to help photographers create more dynamic images. Also, It's important to keep the subject's comfort in mind and make sure that the poses are natural and not uncomfortable for the subject.

One of the most important principles of posing is the use of the "S-curve." This technique is used to create a subtle twist in the model's torso, which creates a dynamic and visually interesting shape in the body.

The S-curve is achieved by positioning the model's hips and shoulders in opposite directions. The model should have one hip slightly forward and the other back, and one shoulder slightly raised and the other lowered. This creates a subtle twist in the torso, which creates a dynamic and visually interesting shape in the body. Additionally, the model should bend the leg that is toward the camera to further accentuate the S-curve and create a visually slimming pose.

The use of the S-curve is important for several reasons. First and foremost, it creates a dynamic and visually interesting pose. The subtle twist in the torso creates a sense of movement and flow in a still image. Additionally, the S-curve is used to emphasize the model's curves, making them appear more defined and visually interesting. Bending the leg towards the camera also helps to create a leading line, which draws the viewer's eye towards the model's face or other key elements of the photograph.

It's important to note that the use of the S-curve should look natural and not forced. The model should not appear uncomfortable or stiff in the pose. The goal is to create a pose that looks natural and effortless.

Composing your subject surrounded by objects or structures is a great technique to use for your subjects who are self-conscious about their body image. This technique, known as "body blocking," helps to focus attention more on the subject's face and less on their body.

When using body blocking, the objects or structures surrounding the subject can be used to conceal certain parts of the body that the subject may be self-conscious about. For example, a person behind a doorway or standing in a bunch of flowers can use the doorway or flowers to conceal their lower body. This can be particularly useful for subjects who may be self-conscious about their weight or body shape.

Body blocking also helps to direct the viewer's attention to the subject's face, which is usually the focal point of a portrait. The viewer's eye is naturally drawn to the subject's face, and by using body blocking, the photographer can create a more visually interesting and dynamic image.

Body image is a very personal and subjective topic, and it's crucial for photographers to understand what the subject would like to achieve during their photo session. Some subjects may want to focus on their face, while others may want to focus on their body. It's important for photographers to communicate with their subjects and understand their goals for the photo session.

Posing senior guys can be a bit of a challenge at first, as they may be self-conscious or unsure of how to pose. However, by taking the time to meet with them at least once, preferably twice, before the photoshoot, you can help them feel more comfortable with you and hash out ideas that will get them excited for the session.

Meeting with the senior guy before the photoshoot is important for several reasons. First, it allows you to get to know them and their interests, which can help you to incorporate elements of their favorite sports or hobbies into the photoshoot. This approach not only allows them to be comfortable in their own interests but also helps to create unique and personalized images that truly capture their personalities.

Additionally, it's also a great opportunity to hash out ideas and give them a sense of what to expect during the session, which helps to build their excitement and anticipation for the photoshoot. It also gives them a chance to express their ideas and concerns and to build trust with you as the photographer.

During the pre-session meeting, it's also important to communicate with them and make sure they feel comfortable throughout the photoshoot. Encourage them to express their ideas and concerns, and be open to feedback.

During the session, start with basic poses and allow them to be themselves. Give them the freedom to move around and have fun with the shoot. Give them guidance on posing and composition but let them bring their own ideas and personalities to the table. This way, they will feel more relaxed, confident, and the resulting images will be authentic and natural.

Composition is the art of arranging the elements within a frame in a way that creates a visually pleasing and meaningful image. It is one of the most important aspects of photography, as it can determine the success or failure of an image. By carefully composing an image, a photographer can guide the viewer's eye through the frame, emphasizing certain elements and de-emphasizing others. This can be achieved through the use of various compositional techniques such as the rule of thirds, leading lines, and symmetry.

When posing a subject, it's important to use the same composition techniques to not only lead the viewer to the subject with the background elements but to lead them to the face of the subject and not get lost in the image. It is important to consider the placement of their limbs and avoid cropping through joints. This can create the appearance of an amputated limb and detract from the overall image, making it less visually pleasing and potentially even disturbing. Instead, the photographer should aim to pose the subject in a way that keeps all limbs and joints intact, creating a natural and believable image. If you do need to crop an image near a joint, make sure it's well above or below the joint to avoid the amputated look.

When posing a subject, it is important to consider their body placement and avoid shooting into private areas. This can create an uncomfortable or inappropriate image, and detract from the overall image. Instead, the photographer should aim to pose the subject in a way that keeps private areas covered or blocked, such as using their hands or other objects, while still achieving the desired composition.

One important aspect of composition is framing the subject. Framing refers to using elements in the scene to create a frame within the frame, which can help to draw attention to the main subject and create a sense of depth. This can be achieved through the use of natural elements such as trees, doorways, or arches or by using man-made elements such as window frames or the edges of a building.

Incorporating diagonal lines in the composition can add a dynamic look to the image and make it stand out from others. Diagonal lines can create movement, tension, and depth in the image, making it more visually interesting. They can also be used to lead the viewer's eye through the frame and draw attention to the main subject. For example, a diagonal line leading from the lower left corner of the frame to the upper right corner can create a sense of movement and lead the viewer's eye to the main subject. Additionally, they can create a sense of depth, by providing the illusion of movement in the image, making it look more three-dimensional.

When composing an image, it is important to pay attention to the placement of elements within the frame and make sure that there are no mergers present. A merger refers to when two or more elements within the frame appear to be merging out from the subject, which can detract from the overall image and make it less visually pleasing.

Before taking the image, make sure to carefully examine the frame and reposition your subject if necessary to avoid any mergers. This may involve adjusting the angle or distance from which you're shooting, or repositioning your subject's body or limbs to separate them from the surrounding elements.

Learning the rules of photography is an important step for any photographer, as it provides a foundation for understanding how to create visually pleasing and technically sound images. However, once you have a solid understanding of the rules, it can be fun and exciting to break them for creative expression.

One of the best ways to approach breaking the rules is to first get the "safe shots" early in the photoshoot. This means capturing images that are technically sound and follow the rules of photography, such as proper posing, composition, lighting, and exposure. This ensures that you have a solid set of images to fall back on, even if your experiments with breaking the rules don't turn out as planned.

Once you have the safe shots, it's time to experiment with different techniques and push the boundaries of what's considered "normal." This might include shooting from unusual angles, playing with wide-angle lenses, using dramatic lighting, doing funky posing, or using bold colors and contrasts. The key is to let your creative juices flow and not be afraid to take risks.

It's important to keep in mind that breaking the rules is not about creating bad or technically incorrect images but rather about pushing the boundaries of what's considered "normal" and trying something new. The goal is to create visually interesting and unique images that stand out from the crowd.