Creative Business Portrait Photography: Posing Your Subjects

Course details

Posing is the one aspect of portrait photography that artificial intelligence simply cannot perfect for you. In this course, photography and educator Chris Orwig breaks down a series of core posing techniques, each presented with clear, step-by-step guidance. You’ll see before-and-after examples that highlight the differences subtle adjustments can make in your subjects’ appearance and comfort. From the foundational anchoring technique to more nuanced methods like the knee tuck, each lesson focuses on building a natural, flattering look. Join Chris as he works through the techniques that guide the placement of shoulders, the angle of the head, and even subtle shifts in body weight. By the end of this course, you’ll have a toolkit of poses to help every subject look their best, while retaining their unique personality.

Concepts

Introduction

Portrait posing
Portrait posing simplified

The Most Essential Posing Technique

Introducing the anchoring technique
Before and after anchoring examples

Creating Connection with Eye-to-Eye Posing

Introducing the eye-to-eye technique
Before and after eye-to-eye examples

Creating Visual Interest with Small Actions

Introducing the small action technique
Before and after small action examples

Creating a Dynamic Portrait

Introducing the large action technique
Before and after large action examples

The Power of the Angled Shoulder

Introducing the shoulder-angled technique
Before and after shoulder-angled examples

How to Use the Head-Tilt Technique

Introducing the head-tilt technique
Before and after head-tilt examples

How Shifting Weight Creates a Better Look

Introducing the weight-shift technique
Before and after weight shift examples

Keep It Casual with Sitting Poses

Introducing the sitting-posing technique
Before and after sitting examples

Invite Your Subjects to Tuck Their Knees

Introducing the knee-tuck technique

How, When, and Why Leaning Poses Work

Introducing the leaning technique

How to Pose Hands

Introducing the hand-posing technique
Before and after hand-posing examples

Create a Thoughtful Look with the Look-Away Technique

Introducing the look-away technique