According to Merriam Webster the definition of posing:

-To put or set in place

-To assume a posture or attitude  usually for artistic purposes.

Posing may be done for various reasons, runway fashion, figure modeling for fine arts, or photographic modeling. And these can come in a variety of genera.

Primarily, it is a form of story telling. A photograph usually has an audience of some kind, and there is usually an intended message for that audience.

Weather that is sexy boudoir photos for yourself or your partner.

Promotional head-shots for a agent.

Or product photography for a company to sell it products to customers.

Don’t go in cold – exception being practicing poses or shooting: even then have an idea of your goals in the practice.

Are or are not willing to do – if a model/photographer you are looking to work with does not want to do something you are wanting to do find someone else to do that shoot and/or find another shoot to do with that photographer/model.

Finding your head-space before a shoot can be important for  making sure you are ready to pose or direct poses.

Ritual can be washing your face, brushing your hair, doing yoga

Inspiration – poses in magazines, other photography, a book that resonates with your goal, or a painting style and color/lighting.

To the Left - Early Greek Archaic Period figure. Very Stiff, a good study of a human figure, but loses some of the humanity by not standing in a pose that is more familiar to how someone might actually stand.

To the Right - Aphrodite of Kindos Late Classical Period - Notice the S-Curve, weight shifted to one leg, one foot back from the other, space between the limbs and each limb doing something intentional.

Taking these statues as an example, a photographer or model should be able to take stock in the pose and go from a more stiff posture to a posture that feels more relaxed.

The Left image is sourced from the National Archaeological Museum of Athens website.

The right image is subject to copyright, source unknown but often used in educational materials.

I do not hold the copy right to either of these images.

Find space – space between ribs and hips, elongate the neck, find space between the limbs

Think 3D – It can be easy to think about poses from the perspective of the camera creating a 2D picture. Being aware of a pose from all sides can create a more dynamic pose.

One foot closer to the camera than the other, even if only slightly.

Weight shifted to one side of the body.

Perhaps a light turn.

Arms in front or behind you, or one in front one behind.

Being aware of the space you are holding creates a more believable pose.

Think about the Archaic period Greek statue verses the classical period Aphrodite.

Rule of 2/3rds is a popular way to frame shots.

Negative space is a great way to add interest to a shot, or tell a story different than the lack of negative space.

A Dutch Angle can add some tension or variety to a shot.

Shooting from below can give the model an air of submissiveness or powerlessness.

Shooting from below can give the model an air of authority or power.

Props – heavy props, bulks props, swords and other weapons. Props can be fun to pose with but some props may require thoughts about safety measures and how to pose safely with them.

 -ex. Swords are popular to pose with, unless you model is an experienced kendoka or fencer don’t ask your model to swing the sword around with out choreographing the poses and movements of the sword.

Clothing – Restrictive clothing and rope can pose circulation issues, or issues with temperature regulation. Photographer remember to check in with the model in these situations, model communicate with the photographer when you are feeling unwell.

-Long skirts trailing shawls bulky dresses can be tripping hazards if there is a helper available have them pick or tripping hazards and help the model move from one location to the other.

 -Corsetry – know the difference between steel bone and whale boned corsets. If you are planning on posing an a steel bone corset, make sure the corset is seasoned, and that you have trained yourself into the corset (sometimes this can take weeks) – photographers, if you are planning on photographing steel boned corsets, find a model who has experience in waist training. Cinching someone tightly into a steel bone corset who doe not have experience can experience circulation issues, trouble breathing, and light headedness: this does not make for a good shoot. Whale bone corsets are fairly safe but models should be sure to communicate any issues regarding temperature regulation or circulation issues.

-Environment - Bodies or water should have a spotter or helper available to verify safety.

-Abandoned and industrial sites should be scouted before hand and should also have a safety spotter on hand. Communicate the intent to shoot with the site owner if you are able. Know that these sites may be homes or hang outs of unsafe persons to interact with, and that the site may not be stable if not currently being managed in upkeep. These sites may also require the willingness to communicate with authorities and possibly leaving the shoot if the owner or law enforcement asks.

-Cliffs - Be careful, safety spotter should be available. Both model and photographer should be vigilant regarding placement of footing, trailing clothing (if in use), and wind speed. If you as the model or photographer feel unsafe, do not shoot.

Images not owned by me or any affiliates I work with, so this has been removed.

Extreme posing is posing that cannot be accomplished by someone who has not been practicing the sport, art form, or skills necessary to preform the pose. This includes ballet, intense shibari suspensions, pole fitness, and inverted yoga practices.

Special Note on Rigging – make sure your rigger has the skill to do the desired rig – have a spotter on site if the photographer is the rigger. Preferably the rigger and photographer are not the same person. Ask to see examples of rigging work before being rigged by someone that you have not rigged with before.

If a shoot is not able to be executed due to resources or models ability alternative poses and ways to tell the story can be found.

How to get past that “I don’t know what to do” moment.