How to pose models for headshots and portraits.

1. The headshot mouth trick: say APPLE

For a relaxed, photogenic open-mouth pose, ask the model to say the word 'APPLE' silently. The 'A' opens the mouth slightly, the 'P' brings the lips together without clamping, and the finished shape looks natural rather than forced.

Avoid asking people to 'smile' directly. A requested smile tightens the eyes and lifts the cheeks unnaturally. A mouth cue keeps the expression alive without looking posed.

• Say 'APPLE' silently to create a soft, natural mouth opening.
• Keep the teeth slightly visible — it reads as openness rather than a grin.
• Ask the model to breathe gently through the nose so the mouth stays soft.
• If the smile is too wide, have them drop the bottom lip just a millimetre.

2. Sharper jawline: tongue on the roof of the mouth

A sharper jawline is one of the most requested headshot looks. The simplest trick is to ask the model to press the tongue gently against the upper teeth or the roof of the mouth. This engages the muscles under the chin, tightens the neck, and defines the jawline without making the face look strained.

Combine this with the 'turtle' or 'chicken' move: bring the forehead forward and down slightly. It feels awkward to the model, but on camera it stretches the neck and removes any double chin.

• Tongue touching the upper teeth / roof of the mouth engages the neck muscles and defines the jaw.
• Forehead forward, chin down slightly — it stretches the neck on camera.
• Light from above and to the side sculpts the jawline further; flat front light kills it.
• For a softer look, use a reflector under the chin to fill shadows without losing shape.

3. Posture and shoulder position

Good posture in portraits starts from the feet. When a model stands or sits straight on to camera, the body looks wide and the neck short. A slight turn of the shoulders creates a flattering angle and adds dimension.

• Turn the shoulders 15–45° away from camera, then bring the face back to the lens.
• Drop the shoulder closest to camera — it creates a relaxed, diagonal line.
• Pull the shoulder blades slightly back and down; it opens the collar area and lengthens the neck.
• For seated portraits, sit on the edge of the chair so the back stays tall.

4. Hands and arms that don't look awkward

Hands are the fastest way to tell a professional portrait from a snapshot. Unposed hands look heavy or frozen. Give the model something to do with them, or keep them out of frame.

• Hands should show a side, not the back of the fist — the back of the hand looks broad and aggressive.
• Fingers stay soft, not spread. A slight bend in the fingers looks elegant.
• Give the model an action: adjust a cuff, touch a collar, hold a prop, or rest a hand on the hip.
• For headshots, keep hands out of frame or resting lightly on the lap — less is more.

5. Communication: the photographer's job

The best posing happens in conversation. Most people cannot hold a pose; they can hold a feeling. Give them a verb or an image, not a list of angles.

• Use verbs: 'lean', 'breathe', 'laugh', 'look past me', 'remember something funny'.
• Demonstrate the pose yourself first — it removes embarrassment and saves time.
• Shoot continuously through movement; the in-between frames are usually the best.
• Watch for tension: tight lips, raised shoulders, frozen hands. Call it out gently and reset.

6. Posing for different shoot types

7. Quick posing checklist before every frame

• Shoulders turned and down; neck long.
• Chin forward and slightly down; jawline defined.
• Tongue resting on the upper teeth / roof of mouth.
• Mouth soft using the APPLE cue or natural breathing.
• Hands soft, purposeful, or out of frame.
• Expression directed by an action, not a pose.

Frequently asked questions