3 Posing Tips for People Who Hate Posing

(from a Portrait Photographer with a Dance Background)

Most people I work with start our session by saying the same thing:
"I don’t know what to do with my hands."
or
"I’m not good at taking photos—I always look awkward."

And honestly? I get it. Being in front of a camera can feel… weird. Especially if you’re not used to seeing yourself in professional photos. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to be a model to get portraits you actually love.

As someone who started in dance before becoming a photographer, I’ve learned that the best portraits happen when we let go of stiff poses and lean into movement. My dance background gave me an understanding of body awareness and simple ways to guide people into looking and feeling their best—without overthinking.

These are three of my go-to tips (and the same ones I use during my sessions at Pasky Studio here in Toronto) to help people feel natural, confident, and like themselves.

1. Use Angles, Not Static Poses

Instead of standing square to the camera, try shifting your weight or turning slightly to one side. This small adjustment creates lines and depth that look way more flattering—and way more you.

This tip comes straight from dance: in movement, nothing is ever completely still. There’s always a natural curve, a bend, a subtle angle. By playing with these micro-movements, we create portraits that feel alive, not staged.

2. Keep Moving Between Shots

The best portraits often happen in between the “posed” moments—when someone’s laughing, adjusting their hair, or just exhaling. That’s why I encourage my clients to keep moving. Walk, shift your weight, sway a little, even play with your clothes.

Movement helps release tension and brings out those candid, authentic expressions that really feel like you. In sessions, I treat this part almost like improv—no wrong answers, just experimenting and finding what feels good in the moment.

3. Guided Prompts Instead of “Smile!”

One thing I brought from my screendance film mentorship is a vocabulary for guiding movement in portraits. Instead of forcing someone to “pose naturally,” I offer simple prompts:

• “Look over your shoulder, like you just heard someone call your name.”

• “Take a deep breath and exhale slowly.”

• “Pretend you’re greeting an old friend from across the street.”

These small cues give people something to focus on other than “How do I look?” and lead to photos that feel natural, expressive, and personal.

Why This Matters

At the heart of my creative process is this: supporting people so they can see themselves the way others already do.
When you stop worrying about looking perfect and start engaging with the moment, your portraits stop feeling forced—and start feeling real.

If you’ve been avoiding getting updated portraits because you hate posing, I promise—there’s a way to make the experience not just comfortable, but fun.

Ready for portraits that feel like you?

At Pasky Studio, I use these same techniques to create a safe, collaborative space for every session—whether it’s branding, creative portraits, or headshots.

👉 Book your session or free consultation here and let’s create portraits you’ll actually love.