How to Pose for Portraits (without feeling awkward)

Jeanette Schenk
1 day ago
2 min read

Getting your photo taken shouldn’t feel like a test of what to do with your arms. Whether you’re updating your headshot or getting family portraits, these simple posing tips can help you look relaxed, confident, and like you in front of the camera.

A couple on a beach embrace their baby wrapped in a colorful blanket. The ocean and a distant rock are visible under an overcast sky.

1. Create Space

One of the easiest ways to make your pose feel natural is to create space between your limbs and your body.

Man in a white shirt leans on wooden railing, looking into the distance. Blurred, serene outdoor background; black and white photo.

Try shifting your weight to one leg, placing a hand on your hip, or slightly bending an arm. A little bit of space keeps your posture from looking stiff or flat—it adds shape, dimension, and movement to your photo.

2. Keep It Soft

If you’re not sure what to do with your hands, try a gentle touch—lightly brushing your hair back, resting a hand near your collarbone, or touching your chin. The key is to keep it soft. Gentle movements read as natural and relaxed, while rigid or heavy hand placement can look tense in photos.

Woman with a thoughtful expression, wearing a large ring, in front of a colorful striped background. Casual and serene mood.

3. Cross Your Arms (the Right Way)

Crossing your arms can instantly project confidence—but it doesn’t have to look defensive. Keep your shoulders relaxed and let your hands show a little. You can even rest your fingers on your arms instead of tucking them away. The goal is approachable confidence, not high school yearbook sass.

Smiling woman with arms crossed, wearing a black blazer and white shirt. She's outdoors near a building with trees in the background.

4. Relax Your Shoulders

Most of us hold a lot of tension in our shoulders, especially when a camera is pointed our way. Take a breath, roll your shoulders back and down, and let your posture settle. This simple move opens your body language and softens your overall look.

Smiling couple with toddler in forest. Man in gray, woman in tan, child in white. Lush green background, joyful mood.

5. Weight on the Back Leg

A little trick that photographers love: put your weight on the leg farthest from the camera. This naturally angles your body, creating a slimming, dynamic pose. Your front leg can bend slightly or rest lightly on the ground, giving your stance movement and balance.

6. Elevate Your Head and Stick Your Chin Out & Down

To avoid a “double chin” and give your face more definition, slightly lift your head and gently push your chin out and down. This small adjustment can make a huge difference, elongating your neck and giving your face a polished, confident look without feeling forced.

Smiling woman in a red blouse sits on stone steps in a grassy area, wearing black strap sandals. Relaxed and cheerful mood.

Smiling person with short hair in a black blazer and white shirt, arms crossed. Black-and-white photo, plain background, joyful mood.

Bonus tip: The best portraits happen when you stop worrying about how you look and start connecting with how you feel. Confidence, comfort, and a little movement go a long way toward making a photo that looks genuinely like you.