How do I learn to pose like a model?

If you're serious about being a model, here's what I suggest you spend some time doing: Get some magazines or browse the internet for some pictures you like--the more the better. Make sure the magazines you choose are age appropriate--an 11 year old should not try to look like she's 20. Then get in front of a mirror and pretend you are the model. Imagine the "mood" of the image and what the intended purpose is. Invent variations on the pose--as many as possible. Don't worry about looking silly--you're the only one who will ever see what you are doing. Many years ago I had some modeling training and this is what I was told to do. You would be surprised how effective it is.

You should be doing mirror work every day for 5 minues at a time, but no longer. A smart model learns quickly that nobody has a perfect body. You must learn your best as well as your worst features and more importantly how to make them work for the camera.

Every model should have an arsenal of at least 10 poses that they can do well and have the confidence of knowing that their body looks great in these poses.

Your goal while practicing in the mirror is not just to find attractive poses - but to concentrate on "how does your body feel" when you are doing a pose correctly. Remember that when you are in front of the camera, you don't have a mirror in front of you to look at.

The second and most important reason for doing mirror work is facial expressions. Modeling is acting and your face is your MOST important communication tool.

First and foremost a model must learn how to smile. It is natural for people to tend to squint their eyes or show too much gum when smiling.

Mirror work allows you to learn how your face "feels" when you smile correctly. It also allows you to learn how your face feels when you do a big look of surprise or anger or the classic open mouth smile.

The purpose for all of this practice is so that these skills become second nature. When you get in front of a camera, if you have to think for just one second, "Does my smile look ok?", "Does this pose make my butt look big?", then you have blown the shot. When you are in front of the camera you have to be thinking about the character you are portraying and the personality that is needed to sell that idea.

A few quick pointers for successful mirror work:
  1. Do it ALONE - nobody else in the room, radio and TV turned off.
  2. No more than 5 minutes at a time. Good mirror work takes lots of concentration. If you stay at it too long - you will start looking at the pile of wash that you see behind you or the books on your desk that are waiting to be read. Feel free to do mirror work several times a day if your schedule permits - but still only for 5 minutes at a time.
  3. Only work on one pose or expression in each session. Remember - anybody can look in the mirror and do a perfect smile in 2 seconds - your purpose is to learn how that smile feels. Keep your sessions short and focused.
  4. Be critical but constructive. Nobody has a perfect body or perfect face. Don't watch yourself in the mirror thinking that you are "all that" and don't look in the mirror and totally tear yourself apart. Learn what your strengths and weaknesses are and use this knowledge to your advantage!


Frequently asked modeling questions