Best Posers

[JTx]

PHOTOGRAPHERS!

Now this may or may not be something everyone will feel comfortable posting and I will say that EVERYONE that I have shot with has brought something unique to the table... that's why I wanted to shoot with them...

Having said that, list a couple/few of the women that YOU have shot with that you feel are the best posers.

"Best" could be most natural, or someone who has leard the art of posing, etc. And please remember the "that YOU have shoot with" part.

I'll say:

Mari Kudla
Amanda Savell
Andrea Trent
Laura Mak
Amy Peters
Nikki Warner
Tara Scotti
Jodi Miller

Okay, I could go on and on but you get the idea. And keep in mind these are people I have personally worked with. There are MANY more women that I think have a great posing ability that I have not worked with... yet! :camera:

Oh and one other thing. quite often a photographer has specific poses in mind and that's all good. Here I am referring to the more "free stlye" posing.

[fbbhubby]

How should a fbb learn to become a better poser?

[JTx]

As cliche' as it sounds.... practice, practice, practice.

- Watch other people pose.
- Check out peoples websites for posing ideas.
- Practice in front of a mirror. (this one might be hard for some people because it seems 'silly' but it WORKS.
- Most photographers will help out during a shoot too.

On that last point though... the pose will look more natural... more YOU if it is natural.

And natural not necissarily meaning the person doesn't even have to think abou the pose. It also means they have practiced the pose and it comes across natural (a.k.a. they are comfortable looking with the pose)

[Jodi Leigh]

Thank you so much for including me in that list, JT!

What helped me so much was taking a jazz dance class back when I was competing in the Galaxy competitions. I learned how to focus on my body and how to make the lines of limbs graceful throughout a movement, such as the quarter turns on stage.

I've also studied the fashion magazines and tried to emulate a lot of the poses I see in the couture fashion world. My muscularity is very much like a Gucci purse, a Prada heel, a Chanel suit, or a David Yurman necklace. I need to wear it as such when it is being photographed.

And yes...practicing in front of a mirror is a must. Being so comfortable with your body that you understand what it is doing even when you can't see it directly is very important.

The most important thing, though? Listening to the photographer and being open to his or her ideas and then producing your own and intermingling the two. That's when the creative fun begins!

[Gerri]

Hey Jodi...I agree with you that dance class helps alot! I was fortunate that my mom developed an interest for me in ballet at an early age. I even went back to it later as an adult...it definitely helps by teaching fluidity, control, and grace. And of course JT...practice, practice, practice is right on!

PS - JT will you drop me an email? I have a request! :D

[CalJoe]

PHOTOGRAPHERS!

Now this may or may not be something everyone will feel comfortable posting and I will say that EVERYONE that I have shot with has brought something unique to the table... that's why I wanted to shoot with them...

Having said that, list a couple/few of the women that YOU have shot with that you feel are the best posers.

"Best" could be most natural, or someone who has leard the art of posing, etc. And please remember the "that YOU have shoot with" part.

I'll say:

Mari Kudla
Amanda Savell
Andrea Trent
Laura Mak
Amy Peters
Nikki Warner
Tara Scotti
Jodi Miller

Okay, I could go on and on but you get the idea. And keep in mind these are people I have personally worked with. There are MANY more women that I think have a great posing ability that I have not worked with... yet! :camera:

Oh and one other thing. quite often a photographer has specific poses in mind and that's all good. Here I am referring to the more "free stlye" posing.
You're referring strictly to figure women right?

[JTx]

Not at all. Andrea Trent was BB. I was just listing some of the women that I have personally worked with.

Heather Lee, Elena Seiple, Colette Nelson,Gina Davis, Amanda Dunbar are just a few FBB's that I think are outstanding photo shoot posers... but I originally only listed women I have personally worked with.

[Lift Studios]

I agree the women who have done numerous shots tend to be better "posers", however I think in larger part it depends on the photographer. A good photographer can help the woman pose, what to move, how to stand and in the process make her feel comfortable. When the model is comfortable the shots tend to turn out better because they aren't forced.

Isaac

[genex]

Yeah as Jodi said the combination is great. Some girls are so good it's easy, some are not that comfortable and you need to coach them more. I like a combination of the two but like for the girl's personality to shine through as well.

[John Stutz]

I'll agree with Isaac that it's the photographer's responsibility to help guide the model. And that a professional and comfortable environment will contribute positively to the end results. However I will credit the models who have gone well beyond my direction as they are solely responsible for sourcing the outstanding images. I've found that with the best models, my direction may limit their abilities. It has been my personal experience that the exceptional models undoubtedly make the exceptional shots.

[JTx]

I've found that with the best models, my direction may limit their abilities. It has been my personal experience that the exceptional models undoubtedly make the exceptional shots.

Exactly my point!

I will also add that yes, giving direction is a part of it, especially with someone who may be new to photo shoots.

Case in point.., the last couple of shoot weekends I've had, I shot with a number of women who had been on one, two and in a couple of cases, zero shoots.

Some of these athletes ask for or needed direction and in this case my job was to make them feel comfortable, give direction and suggestion to make for a good shoot. I very much enjoyed working with these women to build up that trust and comfort that allows them to relax and enjoy the shoot. It also is a good kind of challenge to me as a photographer.

Tomorrow I am shooting with a woman who has had two shoots and she has already told me she wants direction. So, today I have been going through pictures and web sites (not just fitness industry) to get ideas. I have poses I like to use but I also feel like I can always improve, maybe find that pose that fits this persons physique JUST so and makes for THE shot of the day.

So I think everyone is un-wrong here. I think my main point was this:

The direction from the photographer is essential but when combined with someone with experience and/or natural ability... lighting can strike.

[Lift Studios]

I agree with ya as well. The funniest thing I've heard recently came from a client of mine. She said for some reason when she sticks her butt out a bit she feels the need to puff her lips out. She said, Isaac when you look through my photos make sure I don't have any duck lips. HAHAH. Every model is different and some are naturals in front of the camera and others need a lil coaching.

BTW - JT - I agree with your original list.

:smokin so

Exactly my point!

I will also add that yes, giving direction is a part of it, especially with someone who may be new to photo shoots.

Case in point.., the last couple of shoot weekends I've had, I shot with a number of women who had been on one, two and in a couple of cases, zero shoots.

Some of these athletes ask for or needed direction and in this case my job was to make them feel comfortable, give direction and suggestion to make for a good shoot. I very much enjoyed working with these women to build up that trust and comfort that allows them to relax and enjoy the shoot. It also is a good kind of challenge to me as a photographer.

Tomorrow I am shooting with a woman who has had two shoots and she has already told me she wants direction. So, today I have been going through pictures and web sites (not just fitness industry) to get ideas. I have poses I like to use but I also feel like I can always improve, maybe find that pose that fits this persons physique JUST so and makes for THE shot of the day.

So I think everyone is un-wrong here. I think my main point was this:

The direction from the photographer is essential but when combined with someone with experience and/or natural ability... lighting can strike.

[James]

fun topic:

I only worked with Amanda Savell on that list and she was very good.

here are my picks from Jr. Nationals last week:
Melissa Dettwiller
Dorothy Trojanowicz

Those 2 girls were good at doing their own thing in front of the camera. Diana "Tatiana" Tinnelle was good at making the 'instructed poses' work well.

Emmanuella Pintus went from being not a good poser to being a fantastic poser when I worked with her last year. Not sure what she did, but I think it had to do with her confidence level.

[genex]

I think it's all the great instruction you've given her James - I'm looking forward to shooting with Emmanuela next weekend at Canadians.

[jasons805]

I like to let people do what they do. If that is not working then I might step in and say why not try this so on. I find as was stated before that if I say I want this and that they might not try something that I didn't think of that I might have liked even more. My best shots tent to come from the person I am shooting and their ideas more so than me telling them what to do.

[lawyer4u]

i would vote for melissa dettwiller and
emanuella pintus
hard to beat them

[JTx]

The MOST important thing in this post of course, is that Isaac agree's with me!


:p :cheers:

[LarryN]

My pick for posers would be Fawnia Dietrich, Chris Lydon, Deven Jones, Valerie White and Kai Powers. They all have alot of experience.

Larry

[genex]

Hey Larry thanks for the lighting tip this past weekend - it was nice chatting with you.

I agree that Fawnia is a great model!

gene

[Nikki]

Thanks JT for including me too! You guys are right it does depend on the photographer making the model feel comfortable and guiding her along the shoot!