How to Pose When You've Never Modeled: 7 Moves That Work on Anyone

Almost everyone looks stiff the first time a camera points at them. Your shoulders go up, your arms lock at your sides and your smile freezes. That isn't a sign you can't model. It's what every new face looks like before somebody shows her a few moves. Here are the seven that work on anyone.

Why you look stiff

• You're standing square to the camera: it makes every body look wider and flatter
• Your weight is on both feet: it locks your hips and your knees
• Your arms are glued to your sides: they press in and hide your waist
• You're holding your breath: your face tenses with it

The 7 moves

• Angle your body: turn your hips about 45 degrees away from the camera, then turn your face back toward it
• Shift your weight: put it on your back leg and let your front knee soften. Instant curve, instant ease
• Give your hands a job: one on your hip, one in your hair, a thumb in a pocket, or holding your bag strap
• Make space: leave a little gap between your arm and your waist so the camera sees your shape
• Chin forward, then down: push your chin slightly toward the camera and tip it down. It defines your jaw
• Look past the lens, then back: glance away, breathe, and look back into the camera on the exhale
• Move between shots: walk, turn, laugh, toss your hair. Movement reads as confidence, and the best frame is usually mid-move

Every body poses

• Curvy: the 45-degree angle and the arm gap show your shape instead of flattening it
• Petite: shoot from slightly below, point your front toe toward the camera and keep a long line from hip to foot
• Tall: own it. Lean on a wall, cross your ankles, sit on steps. You can make any frame look relaxed
• Not sure? Every one of these moves works on every body. Brands book girls who look like their customers

Practice tonight (10 minutes)

• Prop your phone at chest height and set a 10-second timer, or use burst mode
• Run all 7 moves twice, then look through the photos and keep the three you like
• Do it again tomorrow. By day three you'll feel the difference, and so will the camera

Cheered or danced?

• You already know this: holding your angles, hitting a mark and smiling through a routine are posing. Rockstarr Media doesn't hire cheerleaders or dancers as such, but girls who cheered or danced make strong modeling and on-camera candidates

When you're ready

• Apply free: Bart Starr's Rockstarr Media casts new faces 18+ with no experience. It takes about three minutes on your phone
• Your photos: one clear close-up and one full length, in daylight, no filters. Use the 45-degree angle for the full length
• Every application is reviewed by our casting team. Not everyone is selected

Posing isn't a gift. It's seven moves and a little practice. Start tonight.