In my years blogging, I’ve had some some decent photoshoots and some not-so-decent shoots. And that’s putting it lightly. 😉 It’s not breaking news that I’m in no wayshapeorform a model. Heck, I don’t even consider myself a fashion blogger! I don’t follow the runway, I don’t only post clothes, and I just wear whatever the heck I want for no reason other than justbecause I like it. BUT, I like to think that I now can at least identify after the fact what works + what doesn’t. Plus, after a point, ya get sick of staring at the same poses over and over (or just feeling Awkward AF over and over). A quick Google search for “how to be a fashion blogger” will leave your head spinning; the first result for me said to “spy on popular fashion bloggers” and use Google+, so clearly someone doesn’t *actually* know how to get it done – ha!
Whether you’re just breaking into the style blogging scene or trying to up the Insta-game, these 6 poses are basically from the book of how to be a fashion blogger 101…when you’re totally not a model. 😉
Fashion Blogger Pose: One foot forward
This gem is a go-to for fashion bloggers everywhere, and for good reason. Maybe it’s just me, but I can be pretty bad at this. But Erica, it’s just standing with one foot in front of the other? Coordination is not my strongest suit, friends.
When you’re trying to figure out how to be a fashion blogger, this pose is really the bread n’ butter. To really master it, you’re supposed to position one foot in front of the other and go up on your toes. So yup, coordination.
Perks of this pose: Long legs for all!
Optional variation: One foot out. One foot forward + on tip toes is good for longer legs, whereas putting your foot slightly out to the side, having them a bit more parallel to each other (although still angled) is a bit more stable and more confidence-inducing.
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Fashion Blogger Pose: Walk it out
Easy way to feel au naturale? Walk!
In college, I had the opportunity to intern for Burlington’s marketing department (I always loveloveloved shopping there, but that love just tripled being on the inside all the time). One of the “fun” parts of the job was participating in photoshoots for the ad department; ironically, one of my biggest projects during my time there was orchestrating a massive shoot for the entire intern class, too. So I got to work with a photog who frequently works with *actual* professional models who are scary intimidating to watch in action – like, these girls are PROS. Even the kid models strut their stuff like champs.
POINT BEING, while there, I picked up a tip for nailing walking shots.
HOP into it!
If you’re just standing still and lift a leg, pretending to walk, chances are, you’ll just look like you’re standing with a leg up. HA. Instead, try hopping forward onto your front foot with your back leg just naturally up. It might feel weird to do physically, but it’s what’ll help you get the most natural-looking “walking” shots!
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Fashion Blogger Pose: Step layering
I LOVELOVELOVE STEPS. Wow. Seriously tho. Steps rule. Steps are great for a few reasons.
1.) Dimension. Steps add dimension to a picture by letting you do more than just standing still looking cute. You can SIT still and look cute instead! 😉 HA JK. But really, dimension. By layering your leg positioning accordingly, you’re adding a multi-dimensional factor to photos to take the viewer’s eye across a picture. Super fun photog fact! It creates the illusion of motion, so it automatically ups the interesting factor by mixing things up. Beyond that, it’s basically Newton’s Law of Photo Physics. When in doubt, step it out.
2.) Â Comfortability. We’re talkin’ comfortability in front of the lens! It feels more natural (at least, I think) to be casually sitting just hangin’ out than it does to be striking a pose for the camera. When you have the freedom to just chill, it can be a lot easier to relax – which, in turn, makes ya look more confident! Win-win.
3.) Rest. Ain’t nobody got time to keep standing after hours of photoshooting. Modeling is hard work. Especially for us non-models. Sitting is appreciated after a long day on the job. 😉
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Fashion Blogger Pose: The power pose
Every girl needs her own power pose, whether you’re trying to learn how to be a fashion blogger or how to look more confident in front of your crush. I think of power poses as being two things: open and strong. General rule of psychology – you appear to be more open in life AND confident when your body language reflects that. Crossing your arms or otherwise physically closing off the center of your body says that you’re literally closed off to things and perhaps more reserved. So if ya wanna look the part, pose the part!
A power pose doesn’t necessarily means hands on hip Superwoman-style, either. Simply being open and strong in your stance will do the trick.
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Fashion Blogger Pose: Act it Out
One of the *easiest* ways to look + feel more comfortable shooting is to use surroundings wisely! Act it out – meaning, get natural with anything around you. I heard a long time ago that the best photoshoots can tell a story. Granted, I’m definitely not the best at it at all, but I think at least trying to “tell a story” with the scenery around you is a surefire way to mix up shots and come out with an interesting, diverse set of shots to choose from.
Benches, walls, tables, gates, playground slides, railroad tracks – you name it, you act it out. Of course I was just pushing open this fence. 😉
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Fashion Blogger Pose: Looking back
They say “don’t look back” in life – they’re wrong. Always look back.
Remember how we talked about adding motion to shots? Looking back is always a good way to do that, especially if you’re literally walking one direction and looking backwards to the camera as you go. Super easy way to directly engage your reader, too, by making eye contact with the lens like you’re encouraging everyone to come along with ya. I think that’s what they teach in model school. I wouldn’t know, but it’s my best guess. 😉
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Other fashion blogger tips + tricks:
- Choose a photographer you’re *comfortable* around. How to be a fashion blogger 101: Know thyself, and know thy photog. If you’re feeling awkward, your pictures will come out looking awkward. I’ve mentioned before that I most often work with my mama, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. She knows me best (besides my hubby, obvi), and she gives it to me straight – plus, we can just laugh until our sides hurt together, which makes photoshooting more fun.
- Watch yo’ posture! I can’t even tell ya how many times I had to scratch photos cos I had the most absurd posture goin’ on. Everything is emphasized in photos, especially if you’re using a fancy schmancy camera. If you’re slouching…it’ll show.
- Keep your arms anywhere but straight down at your sides. I read somewhere that celebs always pose on the red carpet with their camera-facing arm bent on their hip. Why? Cos if it’s smooshed flat against your body, it can make the arm look bigger than it actually is – generally unflattering.
- Play with your eyes. Mix up where you’re looking to also keep things interesting. Stare straight at the camera with your best smize, then try looking wistfully off to the side. Look past the camera in the distances, then smile right into the lens like you’re chatting with your bestie. And don’t be afraid to practice in the mirror!
- Don’t take yourself too seriously. In life, and in photoshoots. When you have fun, your pictures will show it, and your readers will feel it!
Are you a fashion blogger?
If so, what would you add to this sorta “how to be a fashion blogger 101” list of poses? Do you have a go-to pose? How do you feel ~comfortable~ in front of the camera?
Let’s chitchat about it, shall we? If you’ve got your own tips + tricks, drop ’em in a comment below!
P.S. Have ya shopped the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale yet??? I’m tellin’ ya – it’s worth it. See my 15 best buys of the Sale here, and start adding things to cart today if you’re NOT a cardholder, so that you can shop this Friday when the sale opens to ALL! #ProTip
P.P.S. Don’t forget – you can still enter to win $1,000 to Nordstrom here, and $800 to Nordstrom here (with TWO winners!)
Happy HUMP!
