The Art of the Sitting Pose

You may not realize it, but there is a lot of work that goes into getting a sitting pose just right. You can't just plop yourself down anywhere and smile for the Glamour Shots camera and hope for the best. Well, I guess you could, but we certainly wouldn't recommend it. In most instances the photographer will instruct you to sit in a certain way, and then he'll go about making small changes to your positioning in order to get things just right.

One of the best things about sitting poses is that they eliminate height problems. If it's a couples or family shot, then everyone's head will be at roughly the same level, which allows for more interaction. Sitting poses are the best option when there is a major variance in height between subjects.

Taking the shots from an elevated position can work out really well: it can open up the eyes, improve the look of the chin and lengthen the neck. It's a simple little trick that is employed by many photographers.

OK, so how about those poses? As with many things in life, it's never a bad idea to keep it simple. Couple shots in which the two of you are sitting side by side usually turn out great. Sitting on a bench or chair of some sort is always best because it makes the legs bend on their own, which looks natural. Most Glamour Shots photographers will tell you that angles are important – straight legs are boring in photographs, so bend those knees! And, as with most portraits, the idea is to keep the couple or family nice and close.

Subtle moves like that are almost silly enough to seem like a scam to those not in the know, but they make a world of difference when it comes to the finished product.