This is one of many articles I’ll post for those of you interested in producing your own content. My focus will be more on working with the models and equipment, than dealing with the legal (2257) stuff.

Getting the model to look natural instead of frozen stiff is a common challenge for the photographer. This is typical with inexperienced models, as they tend to be overly self-conscious. It’s your job to give the model a more animated look.

Understanding how to make use of specific body positions can largely alleviate the problem. Combining these positions gives the photographer an infinite number of options to work with. And properly used, these body positions will accentuate the positive while diluting the negative features of a model.

It will take more than one article to explain all the techniques. For now, let’s focus on the most important part of the body - the model’s head. You would be amazed at the difference a slight adjustment of the head, eyes, eyebrows, and jaw can make.

First explore head positions by tilting left or right, tilting up or down, and turning left or right. Then work with combinations of tilting and turning the head.

Next play with eye position. There is no rule that says your subject should be looking directly at the camera. The important thing is to avoid showing too much white in the eyes, as this almost always has a negative effect.

An amazing transformation takes place by simply asking the model to raise one or both eyebrows. It totally brightens the model’s face, and eliminates the droopy-eyed look. Some models will not be able to raise one eyebrow on demand, but all can raise both simultaneously.

Telling the model to open his mouth slightly can have a profound effect on his looks. The model should practice this in front of a mirror to get it right. If overdone it will make him look stupid. Done just right it will give him a sultry beckoning look. You might also have the model play around with shifting his lower jaw “very slightly” left, right or forward.

Some models have difficulty delivering a natural looking smile. When this happens you end up with a constant boring closed lipped look through out the shoot. Playing around with the drop jaw look will give you the variety you need. It also eliminates a pouting or frowning look when used in combination with raised eyebrows, and a little tilt of the head.

Combining some or all of these positions will give you a wide range of looks that remove that frozen stiff posing for the camera look. Some combinations will flatter the model while others will have the opposite effect. Each model is different, so you have to experiment to find out what works. Don’t over exadurate these positions. Most work best when used in moderation.