Ever found yourself in front of a camera, frozen and cringing at the thought of looking like a corporate cutout rather than your true, vibrant self? You're not alone. Brand photography is all about building expectations with the unspoken—angles, facial expressions, and poses.
We aren’t going to do the power pose, but there are ways to convey confidence without waving your arms above your head or putting your hands on your hips. My belief is that the best results emerge when you feel like you're in your element.
It's common to feel a mix of excitement and nerves before a brand photoshoot. Whether you’re an aspiring solopreneur or an established creative, recognizing what your pose says about you is crucial. Do you want to be perceived as open, mysterious, or artistic? One of the questions I ask clients in my brand worksheet is, “How do you want clients to feel when they see your photos?” I ask this because it directs the tone of the shoot and creates the foundation for specific poses.
But it’s not just the pose itself; it’s also your facial expression. It’s easy to get stuck in trying to find the “best” or “correct” pose and forget about everything else.
Establishing this is just as important as planning what to wear. For instance, embodying openness in a pose might mean keeping your frame clear and unblocked, which emphasizes transparency and approachability.
When you work with me on your personal branding photoshoot, we go into the shoot with a plan in place. You’ll know what kind of poses and emotions I’ll direct you into, so you’re not left wondering what else to do. Part of being a brand photographer is translating values, services, and personality through visuals.
All said, there are some tips to keep in mind when creating poses destined for your website.
Posing tips to prepare for your brand photoshoot
1. Practice in front of the mirror
Let’s rewind. This first step is for those who are not comfortable in front of the camera (which is many of us, me included). Start with facial expressions: often, we feel like we’re being dramatic when we’re not. What you think is a small tilting smile may look like nothing changed. Practice a variety of expressions with your lips: closed-mouth smiles, serious, grins, laughing, etc. See which ones you like the most, and I also want to encourage you to use some serious expressions here. You really don’t have to do a big-toothed grin for your headshot!
When you practice your smile, pay attention to your eyes. “Dead eyes” happen when you smile only with your lips.
Then move to posing in front of the mirror. A lot of people think of poses as one big configuration of body parts changing into another totally different configuration. Instead, I want you to think about moving one part at a time and considering each move as a different pose. For example, shift your weight from one side to the other and stick your hip out further than you normally do (remember, it only feels dramatic). Grab a chair or stool and see if you like sitting or leaning on it.
As you get more comfortable in front of the camera—standing and sitting—you can move onto specific poses.
2. Know what feels good and natural
Reflect on poses that naturally resonate with you. These are the small movements that you already make, like tucking hair behind your ear, adjusting a collar or scarf, fixing a cuff, or crossing your legs. See which ones are the most comfortable for you and practice them in slow, stop-motion style.
Understand body language
Here, we return to what you want clients & customers to feel when they see your photo. You probably have different audiences that you speak to, and that might mean different poses. To create a feeling of openness and approachability, avoid covering your face with your hands or objects. And when you want to showcase how good a listener you are—great for consultants, medical professionals, and service providers—consider more relaxed poses that have you leaning into the camera.
However, if mystery is your goal, a bit more concealment can make you intriguing. Looking off into the distance instead of directly into the camera could convey big-picture thinking.
Creativity shines when you take up space. Use your arms and legs to create space around you.
Practice Breathing Techniques
Start with some deep breathing to center yourself. Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths and exhale, shake the nerves off your body, then open your eyes. When you focus too hard on a pose, you begin to stiffen into it, and that shows up in a photo. Having your body wound up with arms at your sides is more of a defensive, rigid look.
Pose Approval and Feedback: What it's like to work with me
I create a custom shoot plan prior to the session for you to approve, ensuring you're never caught off guard. During the shoot plan presentation, I explain why I chose each pose, because clients often give me the feeling descriptions but don’t know how to pose to convey it.
As we shoot, I'll guide subtle body adjustments and show instant feedback on the camera, so you stay relaxed and satisfied.
I hope these tips help you feel more prepared for your next personal branding photoshoot!
Ready to break past the corporate mold and truly shine in your next photo session?
Let's chat about how we can translate your unique voice into imagery. Visit my personal branding service page to learn more about how I can craft a relaxed yet powerful branding experience tailored just for you.
