When Poses Don’t Land: What I Learned About Patience and Positivity

Ever told a client to strike a pose—only to watch them do the complete opposite? We've all been there. In this blog, I’m sharing the real behind-the-scenes of what happens when directions get lost in translation, and how I turned awkward moments into empowering ones. From building confidence to mastering the art of subtle redirection, these are the lessons that changed the way I approach every shoot. Whether you're a new photographer or just looking to elevate your client experience, this one’s for you.

When it comes to posing your subject, making sure they feel comfortable and confident is key. I’ve had moments during shoots where I asked a client to pose a certain way, only for them to do something completely different from what I intended. In other words—they didn’t quite understand the assignment.

In those early moments, I’d catch myself reacting with visible frustration—sighing, saying “uhhh,” and staring at the awkward, over-posed preview on my camera. Over time, I realized that these reactions were making my clients feel insecure. They’d start blaming themselves for not being “good at modeling,” and that self-doubt would show in the photos, affecting the energy and outcome of the entire shoot.

That’s when I knew I had to make a shift. I began developing strategies to create a more positive and encouraging environment. One game-changing habit I adopted was always complimenting the client when reviewing photos—saying things like, “You look amazing,” even if we needed to adjust the pose. This gave them the assurance they needed to relax and just be themselves.

Another key tip was learning to pay attention to their body language and naturally guiding them into flattering positions. As they adjusted—whether it was their arm, posture, or angle—I made sure to affirm each move with positive feedback. It built trust and helped them open up.

And here’s a simple trick that works wonders: having the client untuck their hair from behind their ears. It frames the face beautifully and highlights their natural features in such a subtle yet powerful way.

And last but not least, I’ve learned that if a client doesn't quite nail the pose I had in mind, it's okay to just move on. Everyone is unique, and not every pose feels natural to every person. Instead of forcing it, I simply say, “Great job!” and move forward. That mindset shift has helped create a more relaxed, enjoyable experience for both me and my clients—and it always shows in the final images.

By Bekah Ball