Portrait photographers often prefer sitting poses because they allow the model to relax and maintain the pose for longer. And when the model is comfortable, photos look natural and unforced. Especially when you work with regular people instead of professional models, sitting poses give you more time to find the best shooting angle, set up the camera, or adjust the lighting.
Moreover, sitting poses place the focus on people’s faces and hands, which are usually their best features. Last but not least, when the model sits down, the background plays a big role and becomes part of the story. Therefore, sitting poses benefit the model, photographer, and composition. Check out these best sitting poses and start creating stunning portraits today.
Sitting Poses for Photos
As each model is unique, you need to have more than one sitting pose up your sleeve. Some people may not be able to sit in a particular pose (e.g., cross legs) or maintain it for a long time. Others may not look good in a particular pose (e.g., elbows on knees) or may not want to sit a certain way. In many situations, your artistic brief will require photographing the model in more than one pose, emphasizing a particular feature or object, or capturing a particular trait or attitude. Regardless of the reasons, you should be able to provide multiple sitting poses options and go from one to another quickly. Here are 15 sitting poses to inspire you.
1. Cross Legs
The cross legs pose works very well for many body types and personalities. Furthermore, it can easily adapt to different scenarios, such as business portraits, fashion editorials, and street snapshots. In the cross-leg pose, the subject sits in a seat and puts one leg over the other. For a professional look, the subject straightens their back, keeps their arms relaxed on their knees, and looks toward the camera. However, for a stylish, fun look, the subject can adopt a more relaxed position and look away from the camera for a stylish, fun look.
2. Both Legs to the Side
In this pose, the subject keeps their knees together and slightly bends them to the right or left while also keeping the angles together and shifting in the opposite direction. It’s a reserved and serious pose, adopted mainly by women in official positions. However, both legs to the side is an easy pose anyone can maintain for a long time, which makes it a good alternative for people who can’t sit in the cross pose.
3. Lean on a Chair
Leaning on a chair is a relaxed pose that looks very well in lifestyle and fashion editorials. The subject sits comfortably and relaxed on a chair or armchair, leaning back to either the back or side of the chair. The pose allows the subject to do an activity and ignore the camera, which makes it perfect for candid shots.
4. Elbows on Knees
Elbow on knees is a pose that may convey a wide range of attitudes, from sportive youthfulness to sensual melancholy. The subject sits on a chair, couch, or the ground with the knees raised and elbows on the knees. Most of the time, the subject holds their chin in their hands. However, the person may hold their hands together and straighten their back for a more upward position.
5. Both Knees Up
In this pose, the model supports their feet on the side of the chair and lifts their knees. The arms may rest on the knees, embrace the knees, or do anything else. Both knees up pose is full of attitude and personality and suits young people and children best. Be aware — not all outfits allow for this pose.
6. Sit on Stairs
Photographing a model sitting on stairs is a versatile composition. The pose allows the subject to sit in a relaxed and playful position. The stairs provide an interesting background that adds to the visual story. In addition, the photographer can shoot from below or above the subject, which influences the photo’s message.
7. Sit on the Ground with Cross Legs
Sitting on the ground with cross legs is a pose inspired by yoga and induces a meditative and reflective mindset. You can photograph the subject from a front or lateral position and include the background as an active element of the composition. Sitting on the ground with cross legs pose creates a profound connection between the subject and environment, and works very well for outdoor photos.
8. Sit on the Ground on the Knees
Sitting on the knees pose has a long religious history and, therefore, conveys solemnity and respect. At the same time, it invites dialog, whether it is dialog between two people (e.g., playing with a child) or between one person and the universe. Because it stresses the knees, it isn’t easy to maintain for a long time, and not everyone can do it.
9. Sit on the Ground with One Knee Up
In this pose, the subject sits comfortably on the ground with one leg stretched out and the other with the knee up. It’s a relaxed pose frequently used for leisure activities and vacation pictures. It’s also available to everyone regardless of age and fitness level. However, ensure the pose flatters the subject and doesn’t look forced.
10. Sit on the Ground and Lean Back
Sitting on the ground while supported in one or both hands is a popular pose for beach portraits. It elongates the body and creates a beautiful arch. It also provides many composition opportunities for the photographer because you can photograph the subject from below, above, front, and sides with different effects every time.
11. Sit on the Ground with Both Knees Up
In this pose, the subject keeps both knees up in a more protective and melancholic manner. It’s a great pose for atmospheric photos in which the person seems lost in thoughts and unaware of the camera. For this pose, you need a complementary background that supports the model’s attitude. The subject may hug their knees for a more dramatic effect.
12. Lean on a Wall
If you need a more comfortable sitting pose, allow the subject to lean on a wall. Although sitting on the ground, the person feels less pressure and can maintain the pose for longer. It may convey a sense of rebellion, which goes very well with teenagers and outcast subjects. Remember that the wall becomes part of the composition.
13. Look over the Shoulder
When you photograph a model looking over a shoulder, the body is almost completely hidden. As a result, the focus is on the subject’s face. The model can express emotions better than with any other pose. Look over the shoulder pose is often used in beauty and fashion editorials due to its sensual and feminine aspects.
14. Back Perspective
In the back perspective pose, the camera is behind the subject and doesn’t capture their face. The pose is more about body language and the subject’s connection with the environment. It’s often used for travel photography, selfies, and commercial shots.
15. Squat
In the squat pose, the subject stands close to the ground without sitting. Based on the model’s attitude, the pose may convey different attitudes, such as playfulness, weakness, turmoil, or nonconformity. It’s not an easy pose to maintain, which makes it a statement. Because the body is mostly hidden, the focus is on the subject’s face.
Conclusion
The success of a photo session depends on the chemistry between the photographer and the subject. You need to make your model feel comfortable in front of the camera, but also to allow them to show their personality and best features. Most sitting poses are easy to maintain and flattering because they don’t reveal the entire body. However, you have to prepare a set of poses that fit your model and give you plenty of composition and lighting options. Take the time to discuss with the model and understand their perspectives, strengths, and weakness. Photographing people should always involve conversation.
