It’s that time of year when your photo is being taken for holiday cards and family/friend gatherings. Knowing how to stand and where to put your arms can lead to not loving the way you look or wanting to jump out of the picture before it’s even taken!
Let’s not have that happen. Instead, follow these posing guidelines so that you feel confident and radiant both in the moment and when you look back at the photos.
Posing with Others – Own Your Space, Elevate the Group
When it’s time to take holiday group photos, often our first instinct is to turn to the side and bend into the group, but this pose doesn’t always leave room for your authentic self to shine.
The first thing to remember is that even in groups, it’s okay to take up space. Open your shoulders and chest directly to the camera while turning your hips and lower body toward the group to create a point of connection. The more visible lines of your body in the frame, the better.
You can also use your arms to engage with the people around you or place them on your hips, creating space and depth with your body. Letting your authentic energy come through and it will lift the spirit of the entire group photo.
Ground Your Energy, and Let Your Arms Shine!
When the cameras come out, don’t panic about what to do with your arms. The key is to pose with intentionality and energy—the photo will always pick up your positive vibe.
Start by grounding yourself: bring your shoulders back and down to hold power in your core.
Once grounded, get playful with your arms. You can interact with a part of your outfit by placing a thumb through your belt loop, or create a relaxed hands-on-hips pose by gliding your hands slightly up your sides. Feeling adventurous? Try playing with your hair to add a touch of movement for a more whimsical pose.
Remember, once your core is centered, the rest is about experimenting and finding what feels good for you. Be you; be bold!
Master Your Go-To Pose, Confidence In Every Frame!
The holidays are full of non-stop photos, so having a simple go-to pose can help you feel confident and ready to shine in every shot.
For a fresh take on the classic hand-on-hip pose, try this: place one hand on your upper leg with your fingers pointing down and your thumb facing the camera. Let your other hand gently slide up your opposite leg. Then, roll your shoulders back and down and angle your body to create a dynamic, polished look. You can also anchor your hand by lightly holding a part of your clothing, such as the front of a blazer.
This is an important one. Extend the energy of your pose all the way to your chin by lifting it away from your neck creating a confident posture. Adjust the angle of your face subtly to the left or right, or tilt of your head to complement the composition of the shot.
Once you’ve mastered a few basic poses that feel comfortable, start experimenting and moving your body to express your unique energy. Let your inner sparkle shine!